With the holiday season fast approaching, you're probably getting ready to start splurging on yourself and/or loved ones and putting the finishing touches on your own personal Xmas lists. Black Friday has always scared the Bejeezus out of me and intrigued me at the same time. I'm not a huge fan of crowds (or waking up before the sun) and have always been weary about those "holiday deals" and "doorbuster" sales at larger retailers. Are the deals really money-savers? Where is my money actually going once I fork it over? Exactly how many cups of coffee or cans of RedBull does one need in order to camp out at the local big box store for the doors to open at 6 am or earlier. Is it really worth it in the long run? So, truth be told, I've never participated in Black Friday events. Once starting the business 5 years ago (already?! WOW!), Eric and I quickly learned abut the benefits of "shopping small" and would like to take the time to educate you on why you should be supporting small businesses this holiday season as well as throughout the year!

- Friendly and Personal Experience: When shopping with a small business, you're more likely to be waited on by the owner(s) or someone close to them. They're able to connect with you and communicate with you on a more personal level. 

- Less is More: Small businesses tend to offer a small selection of a variety of products. This makes your experience less overwhelming and easier to complete. 

- The American Dream: This country was built on the entrepreneur spirit and by shopping small, you are helping to fuel the prosperity of that ideal. Supporting and purchasing from small businesses makes you a direct part of the American Dream.

- Product Diversity: Big stores might have exactly what you want, but with small businesses, there is often more of a variety that is forever changing based on the clients wants and needs. This is to your advantage. Small businesses are also more willing and able to go out of their way to find that product you're looking for, even if they don't carry it.

- Better Jobs and Wages: Small businesses tend to create more job openings and provide better wages and benefits than big box stores. By creating more jobs, employers and employees are able to explore their hobbies, talents and capabilities.

- Pricing: More often than not, small businesses are able to beat, if not match, their competitors.

- Customer Service: Small businesses tend to provide friendlier and speedier customer service. The response time is quick and personable and staff do their best to make sure you have a happy shopping experience. Some small businesses also go out of their way to contact customers after a purchase to make sure their experience was a positive one and to get feedback for future sales.

- No Long Lines: Rather than standing in lines that seem to last forever, shopping small tends to save you your valuable time; lines are smaller and your experience is usually a quick, easy and hassle-free one! When it comes to ordering online, there are zero lines to wait in! Best part about shopping small, is the attention to detail and fast customer service and delivery.

- Shop What YOU Want: The power of choice is in your hands when you shop small. Small businesses do not push you to buy what they want you to buy. We encourage you to find what suits you best.

- Product Guarantee: Small business often sell products that they are knowledgable about. More often than not, they will stand by all of the products they sell. Small businesses tend to have more knowledge and experience with how products work, what they work with, and whether or not they will work for you.

- Building Competition: Having more small businesses in the area (locally) helps produce healthy competition. This means products are more readily available and prices are likely to go down. Having more small businesses in the area (nationally) also helps produce competition and when products, ideas and more are in high demand, newer items will be made to meet the demands and open the doors to new innovative ideas.

- Building Trust: Small businesses allow you to build a rapport with staff while building trust in their business and products. They tend to treat you as a friend, rather than as just a customer or money.

- One-Stop Shopping: Small businesses often have everything you're looking for all under one roof. Rather than bouncing from store to store, you're more likely to find everything you need when you shop small.

- Stress-Free Shopping: Small businesses tend to provide a more relaxed, stress-free shopping experience. There are no long lines, crowds, hunting for parking spaces, waiting in the return line, etc.

- Promotional Deals: Small businesses tend to offer more promotional deals and sales, more often.

- Support Families, Not Corporate: When you shop with a small business, you are improving someone's livelihood, rather than improving stock prices.

- Support: Small businesses tend to buy and work with other small businesses. This helps contribute to that business' success and economic well-being of the community as a whole. 

So, thank you for your consideration to shop small this holiday season!!