By Christine Lowe

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

For the past ten years, holiday shoppers have celebrated Small Business Saturday in their communities on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Unlike the stressful crowds of Black Friday and the digital disconnectedness of Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday offers the perfect opportunity for shoppers to hit Main Streets across America, support local small businesses, and connect with their communities, while scoring some great deals!

Okay, we all know that many things in our lives this year are atypical, but who says Small Business Saturday 2020 can’t be even better than before? There are still many ways we can support our local small businesses on November 28th.

Visit Local Businesses in Person

Many small businesses are having special events and sales on Small Business Saturday, while following local health guidelines and taking precautions for the safety of their customers. If you can, support them in person by visiting their brick and mortar stores. Some of my favorite local stores are in Old Ellicott City, Clarksville, Maple Lawn, Columbia, Catonsville, Sykesville, and Hampden. If you’re looking for more choices, Main Street Maryland has dozens of other shops to discover and explore. Whether you’re on the hunt for gifts, grabbing a bite to eat, or just craving some time out of the house, these towns have plenty of options for everyone!

Shop Online

Don’t feel like venturing out or unable to? Or maybe you want to support small businesses farther away, such as in your hometown or your vacation destination. Check out the websites for your favorite stores and restaurants, and support them by purchasing items online. DCfempreneur has a fantastic holiday gift guide featuring 35+ small women-owned businesses in the Washington, DC area. Etsy showcases hundreds of small independent crafters and businesses from all over the world. Closer to home, of course, our Business Women’s Network (BWN) comprises our own wonderful small businesses right here in Howard County and surrounding counties. In fact, BWN is hosting a Virtual Vendor Fair this Wednesday, November 18th, where members and guests can purchase unique holiday gifts and support BWN businesses. Not sure what to buy? Consider contributing to small businesses by purchasing gift cards for your friends and family or even treating yourself!

Refer a Friend or Offer a Positive Review

Any business owner loves a word-of-mouth referral or a positive review on their website, social media, Yelp, or Tripadvisor! Consider connecting with local small businesses and supporting their owners by sharing some positive words, engaging with their social media posts, and referring your friends and family.

Support Small Businesses Any Day of the Year!

Remember that when you support a small business, you are truly supporting someone’s dream. That someone could be your neighbor, a parent of your child’s friend, or a co-worker taking a leap into their passion. Your support on Small Business Saturday and any day of the year helps owners employ others in the community, keeps storefronts lit and Main Streets vibrant, and makes your communities the places you want to live. We sincerely thank you! ■ 

About this Month's Featured Sponsor

Christine Lowe Voiceovers LLC • Christine Lowe

Christine Lowe, Ellicott City resident, engineer, and mom who took a leap to create Christine Lowe Voiceovers, LLC. Now, as a voice actor and proofreader, Christine’s mission is helping businesses clearly share their messages and successfully reach more clients. With a warm, friendly, upbeat voice that captures listeners' attention, Christine provides authentic, high-quality voiceovers for commercials, social media campaigns, phone systems, website videos, audio blogs, corporate narrations, and eLearning content. She also provides that careful second set of eyes as a proofreader who catches grammatical mistakes and enhances the credibility of her clients’ written content.

Visit www.christinelowevo.com to see and hear how she can support your business.