18 October 2024

Quiz Time: How Well Do You Know Small Business Saturday?

By Ronald Smith

Did you know that Small Business Saturday is a pretty big deal in the United States? It’s a day when small business owners like you and me really shine. But here’s the thing – how much do you really know about this awesome event? Do you know how it all got started and why it’s so popular? Well, let’s find out and get you ready for the next Small Business Saturday!

Ready for the Quiz?

Your Results

Wow, congratulations! You really know your stuff when it comes to Small Business Saturday. You totally passed this quiz with flying colors!

#1. When did Small Business Saturday first begin?

The very first Small Business Saturday took place in November 2010.

I remember when it all began. The United States was still recovering from the big financial crisis and economic recession that happened back in 2008 on Wall Street. At that time, the goal was to give a little boost to small local businesses like restaurants and stores, and help them sell more. You know, support the little guys.

#2. So, when exactly does Small Business Saturday happen?

Well, let me tell you. It happens during National Small Business Week, but not just any random day in May. No, no. It’s something special. Do you wanna know when? It’s actually the first Saturday after the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s like the perfect way to start the holiday shopping spree!

Now, here’s an interesting fact. Small Business Saturday is a big deal because it’s all part of the reason why the whole week after Thanksgiving has become a crazy shopping extravaganza. You’ve got Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday all lined up, attracting consumers with amazing deals and discounts.

Actually, the cry to shop small has become more than just a seasonal holiday slogan. People now show their support for small businesses all year round, not just during Christmas time.

#3. How many consumers say that Small Business Saturday motivates them to shop at small businesses throughout the year?

An incredible 96% of individuals who participate in Small Business Saturday say that it inspires them to continue supporting small businesses all year long! This amazing statistic comes from a survey conducted by American Express.

What makes the #shopsmall movement unique is the lasting impact it has. Unlike special days like National Taco Day or Valentine’s Day, people feel like they are contributing to a greater cause when they support Small Business Saturday. Even long after the day has passed, they continue to feel inspired to support small businesses.

#4. How much money do people spend at small businesses on Small Business Saturday?

People spend a whopping $17.8 billion at small retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday in 2018. This is a big deal for small businesses because they make a lot of money during the last two months of the year. Small Business Saturday has definitely helped them out!

Now, I have to tell you that the $17.8 billion is just an estimate. It’s not the exact amount of money that was spent. It’s based on surveys commissioned by American Express, so it represents the average spend reported by people who knew about Small Business Saturday. It’s not the actual sales or receipts. Just wanted to let you know. You can read more about it if you want.

#5. Who started Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday was actually founded by the American Express Corporation. They came up with the idea to support small businesses and encourage people to shop locally. It’s a great initiative!

Let’s talk about Small Business Saturday – it’s a pretty cool thing that American Express came up with to support small businesses. Can you believe it’s been around for a whole decade already? American Express is still going strong, lending its support to this special day.

First things first, Small Business Saturday is not a government program. It’s not part of the Small Business Administration and it doesn’t rely on money from taxpayers. It’s all about showing love to small businesses!

  • In 2011, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution supporting Small Business Saturday. They think it’s a great idea!
  • The President usually gives it a shout out, showing support for small businesses.
  • The Small Business Administration thinks it’s a good idea too and encourages everyone to participate.
  • State and local governments also join in, getting their communities excited about supporting small businesses.
  • Community organizations and chambers of commerce are all about Small Business Saturday too!

If I were to pick one person who was the driving force behind Small Business Saturday, it would be Susan Sobbott. She was the President of American Express OPEN at the time and it was because of her vision, leadership, and passion that this day became a huge success right from the start.

Almost every big corporation supports Small Business Saturday in some way. They understand the importance of giving small businesses a chance to shine and thrive. It’s not just the big players who are excited about this day though, even small business owners and consumers eagerly embrace it.

I’m amazed by how this movement has gained so much traction. It goes to show that there is a genuine appreciation for the hard work and dedication that small business owners put into their ventures. Small Business Saturday is a celebration of their entrepreneurial spirit and an opportunity for us to support our local communities.

As a small business owner’s daughter myself, I understand what small business owners really need. More than anything else, they need more customers, I said in an interview.

I continued, Small Business Saturday can be the start of many days when businesses and consumers consciously choose to support small businesses. Even better is if they spread the word to their friends, family, and colleagues, so they can also think about shopping at small businesses. Read: Small Business Saturday, An Inside Look

#7. What is the tagline of Small Business Saturday?

Small business, big value

Small business, big value

When you buy from a small business, you are helping a little girl get ballet lessons

When you buy from a small business, you are helping a little girl get ballet lessons

Support a small business, save a job

When you support a small business, you’re not just making a purchase – you’re saving a job. It’s a powerful act that can make a big difference. That’s why we often hear the phrase shop small or see the hashtag #shopsmall. It’s a call to action, encouraging us to support small businesses all year round.

Shop small has grown from a simple phrase to a movement. Since 2011, it has become a slogan and a symbol for supporting small businesses. People everywhere rally behind this message, recognizing the importance of small businesses in our communities.

Did you know that shop small is actually a registered service mark of American Express? It just goes to show how powerful and influential this movement has become.

Speaking of support, Facebook was the first social media giant to partner with Small Business Saturday in a big way. They recognized the value of small businesses and took a visible stand to support them.

So next time you’re in need of something, consider shopping small. By doing so, you’re not only getting a great product or service, but you’re also making a meaningful impact on someone’s livelihood. Keep the shop small movement alive and watch as the angel’s wings continue to grow.

Back in the day, Facebook played a big role in making Small Business Saturday famous. And guess what? It still has a super active and lively Facebook page!

While other social platforms also show some love for Small Business Saturday, Facebook is where it’s at!

#9. Which of these techniques is NOT a good way to promote your business for Small Business Saturday?

Is it sending out a marketing email to your customers, tempting them with free cider and donuts as a thank you for their support? Nope, that’s not the right answer. Try again.

Is it announcing on your Facebook Page that you have a special discount just for your followers on that day? Nope, that’s not it. Keep trying!

Is it putting up a temporary sign outside your shop or adding a badge on your website to show off your support for the event? Nope, that’s not the right choice. Give it one more shot!

I want to talk to you about something important. It turns out that threatening customers with going out of business if they don’t shop with you on Small Business Saturday is not a great marketing technique. Nope, not at all.

Instead, let’s try a different approach. How about we focus on being positive? We can take a few moments to highlight a special offer or make the shopping experience fun and special on that day. We could even just take a moment to thank our customers for their support. Sounds better, right?

Basically, what I’m saying is that we need to put the customer first and show them the benefits they’ll get. We want our customers to feel good about supporting our business, after all.

Question #10: Is there a badge to show support for Small Business Saturday?

Yes, there sure is! Small business owners, consumers, and community organizations all proudly display materials with the Shop Small badge on them. It’s a way for everyone to show their support for Small Business Saturday.

In the Shop Small Studio on our official website, you’ll find a wide range of marketing materials. We have marketing tips, eye-catching badges, attractive flyers, informative videos, eye-catching email headers, and other useful resources. The best part is, you can personalize everything with your own business name, and guess what? It’s all completely free.

The cool image you see at the top of this quiz? We made it using the Shop Small Studio. And let me tell you, it was a breeze. We whipped it up in less than 5 minutes. Yeah, it’s that simple.

The cool image you see at the top of this quiz? We made it using the Shop Small Studio. And let me tell you, it was a breeze. We whipped it up in less than 5 minutes. Yeah, it’s that simple.