Put on your boxing gloves, put in your mouth guard, and prepare to hit the stores for glorious battle this coming Black Friday; or you could take it easy at Small Business Saturday. After the Great Recession, in 2010, American Express began encouraging buyers to make purchases from small local businesses. This has caught on, and now there are a lot of small businesses that offer great deals the day after Black Friday. The benefit of going to these smaller shops are two-fold: First, you will find unique items that you couldn’t find anywhere else; and unique things are typically the best gifts (because the holidays are right around the corner). Second, as local businesses increase their sales, they invest in their business more; a well-run business near your home can have the potential to increase the value of your home (no, we are not talking millions: but, being in a desirable area makes your home worth more. Successful businesses make an area more desirable).
In case it wasn’t clear, Small Business Saturday occurs one day after Black Friday, and two days before Cyber Monday. The beauty of spending money at local businesses is that roughly 67 cents of every dollar spent tends to be put back into the local economy. This goes a long way towards making your neighborhood more desirable.
If you want to take advantage of Small Business Saturday, you will avoid the big ticket items (major department stores can provide those at a way lower price than mom and pop shops; economy of scale, wholesale purchasing, etc.). However, if you are looking for one-of-a-kind items for you and your loved ones, Small Business Saturday is just what the doctor ordered. Go to Shop Small, scroll to the bottom and click “find small businesses near you”, then plug in your zip code. Come Saturday night you will be ogling the unique earrings you got your aunt Susie, handmade quilt you got your eccentric grandmother Gladys, or a hand woven Chargers cap for your boyfriend Joey; there’s something for everyone!
At the Chernov Team, we care about our community, and encourage you to care as well. Investing in small businesses in your area can have a significant impact on quality of life, as well as your property values. This shopping season, don’t forget the little guys. At the Chernov Team we know that whoever comes to the small businesses most prepared leaves with the most, and the Chernov Team always leaves the small businesses with the most.