In the age of big box retailers, cyber Monday and online deals, we often forget who fuels our economy – the local, small, often family-owned businesses in our neighborhood strip malls. They employ more than 65% of Floridians, and make sure we have good food, local products, and specialty items you can’t find anywhere else.
The Doral Chamber of Commerce, founded and led by Manny Sarmiento and Carmen Lopez since 2007, has sponsored again this year the American Express Small Business Saturday® Shop Small®campaign, to encourage everyone to shop at local businesses on Saturday, November 29th, 2014. Along with SAM’s Club in Doral and several DCC Board Members and staff, they stuffed very nice designer Shop Small® canvass bags with brochures, pens, and other items from Doral Chamber members. On Monday, November 17, 2014, we were ready at 7:45 am at SAM’s Club handing out bags to small business owners and other customers to remind them of how important it is to support local businesses.
“The backbone of our economy has always been small, local businesses,” said Manny Sarmiento, President of the Doral Chamber of Commerce and New Media New Marketing. “We can get great deals by shopping at our neighborhood stores, and the money stays local, which continues to help our economy. This is why we participate and promote Shop Small® along with Community Newspapers.”
Every year since November 27, 2010, American Express launches the Shop Small™ campaign, and provides their members and local businesses who enroll many benefits such as free listing on the Shop Small Map® on their website; free promotional materials such as bags, brochures, and posters; and a national marketing campaign that encourages consumers to shop at local small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day. This is free advertising that many small businesses need in order to compete with the big box retailers.
“American Express® Card Members can register to get up to $30 back when they Shop Small® on Small Business Saturday®.” It they spend $10+ on November 29th at participating Shop Small®, they get $10 back, up to 3 times. Who would not want $30 cold hard cash back just for shopping local?! But you do have to do a little work. Register online at https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/ and look up participating businesses on their Shop Small Map®. Then go have fun shopping and help our local economy grow.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Millie Herrera is the owner of The Miami Group & Associates, a management consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs and business leaders reach their next level of excellence. www.themiamigroup.com www.facebook.com/themiamigroup
