![Second Gentleman of the United States Doug Emhoff, left, speaks to the media after visiting the 2023 National Small Business Person of the Year, Mr. Abdirahman Kahin, second left, at one of his Afro Deli Grill outlets in St. Paul, Minnesota during Small Business Week on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 as SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, third left, looks on. Mshale Staff Photo by Richard Ooga](https://mshale.com/wp-content/themes/Newspaper-child/timthumb.php?src=https://mshale.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Second-Gentleman-Doug-Emhoff-at-Afro-Deli-on-May-3-2023-by-Mshale-Newspaper.jpg&zc=1&w=485&h=352&q=100;)
![Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff at Afro Deli on May 3 2023 by Mshale Newspaper](https://mshale.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Second-Gentleman-Doug-Emhoff-at-Afro-Deli-on-May-3-2023-by-Mshale-Newspaper-150x100.jpg)
Saturdays are a cherished day. Many spend their Saturdays running errands – whether that be to get a haircut, visit a gift shop, or stop by the local hardware store. Saturdays are for stocking up on groceries at the neighborhood market, or self-care time at the yoga studio. Saturdays are making fun memories with family and friends at corner coffee shops, or a local restaurant to gather post-football game. More often than not, Saturdays are spent at small, independent retailers that provide consistent, quality goods and services for their communities.
Saturday, November 25 is an especially important day. It marks the 14th anniversary of Small Business Saturday, where American consumers come out in droves to shop small and dine small, in-person or online, in mammoth support of small businesses nationwide. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proud to be a co-sponsor of Small Business Saturday, founded by American Express in 2010.
Small businesses are the engines of our economy. They create two-thirds of net new jobs, and in Minnesota 525,156 small businesses employ 1.3 million people (which comprises 45.7% of Minnesota’s workforce). The day also advances equity by helping small businesses capture a larger piece of the critical holiday season consumer spending.
“With the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America economic agenda, the United States has experienced a historic small business boom being led by women and people of color at a rate 65% faster than the pre-pandemic average. By shopping small, we help create and preserve jobs which expands opportunities for inclusive prosperity and generational wealth building in communities,” says SBA Great Lakes Regional Administrator Geri Aglipay.
Shopping small online is also encouraged, as e-commerce is a priority of SBA Administrator Guzman because it helps make small businesses competitive across global markets. The SBA Great Lakes Regional Office and the SBA Minnesota District Office are thrilled to promote Small Business Saturday!
“Every independent store and dining venue are pillars in our communities. Small Business Saturday is a day to connect, appreciate, and celebrate the unique character and diversity of our local communities across the North Star state. Dining and shopping small spurs neighborhood growth and vibrancy,” according to Brian McDonald, SBA Minnesota District Director.
Make big moves! Shop and dine small at local Minnesota small businesses for Small Business Saturday on November 25 and throughout the holiday season.
For information, visit www.sba.gov/mn and www.sba.gov/saturday.