Movers and Makers: Small Business Everyday

Small business Saturday has come and gone, but you can celebrate the initiative every time you spend when you choose local first.

More Than a Tagline

Small Business Saturday was created by American Express to encourage shoppers to support local brick and mortars. It happens at the height of shopping season, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Since 2010, the “holiday” has been observed around the United States by small business owners and local lovers alike.

But what happens every other Saturday of the month, every other month of the year? The meaning of Small Business Saturday is more than a catchy slogan. We challenge you to put your money where your mouth (and community) is and embrace the spirit of Small Business Saturday all year long!

Think Outside the (Big) Box (Stores)

Find alternative ways to shop. Here are some suggestions for shopping small year round:

Attend local markets! Meet makers and put a face to the products you’re consuming. Find a list of markets we recommend at marketmafia.com.

Follow makers on social media and sign up for their newsletters! Many share deals and customer loyalty perks within their newsletter updates, along with their event schedule so you know where they plan to vend.

Visit brick and mortar shops that carry locally made goods! There are several throughout St. Pete, including: The Merchant, Retrograde Goods, Market at Left Bank and The St. Pete Store.

Use small business directories to find artists, jewelers, service providers and more! Search directories like Keep Saint Petersburg Local before looking elsewhere.

Support small businesses without directly spending! There are plenty of creative ways to do this, including: sharing photos, tagging businesses in recommendations, leaving reviews and engaging with their social media accounts (like, comment, share).

Be the Difference

More money stays within our community when you spend local. Get out and treat every day as though it’s Small Business Saturday! Market Mafia is a resource connecting residents and visitors throughout Greater Tampa Bay with local handcraft markets. Find local happenings and #HitTheMarket, visit www.MarketMafia.com.