In 1953 the federal government created the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help business owners grow and prosper in our “Land of Opportunity.” In 1963, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed the first National Small Business Week to honor top entrepreneurs in every state with special recognition and rewards. By promoting these business leaders and their successes, the SBA shares ideas, help, and inspiration for owners across the country.
Small Business Week has continued for nearly 60 years and grows in scope — with each new generation of startups and entrepreneurs leaving their imprint on the event. National Small Business Week (NSBW) will run from Sunday, May 1 through Saturday, May 7 in 2022. The SBA will announce winners for the 2022 awards in 13 categories, including:
- Small Business Person of the Year Award
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
- Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery
- Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award
- Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award
- Women’s Business Center of the Year Excellence Award
- Small Business Investment Company of the Year
Some local SBA offices also issue SBA District Office Awards. Nominations are closed for 2022, but if you have a small business or are inspired by one, plan on nominating them in 2023.
The SBA is sponsoring a virtual event for 2022. The Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship virtual summit will run May 2 to 5, 2022. The event provides tools and information for entrepreneurs to “further power our economic growth, strengthen our supply chains, and deliver the products and services Americans depend on every day.”
Small Business Month and Day
STARTING WITH SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, MANY AREAS EXTEND THE CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT MAY FOR SMALL BUSINESS MONTH.
There are other annual celebrations for small businesses as well. Starting with Small Business Week, many areas extend the celebration throughout May for Small Business Month. Companies can choose how long they promote their business, either for the week or through the entire month.
In 2010 American Express began promoting Small Business Saturday: in 2015 the Small Business Administration joined the event as a co-sponsor. Typically the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday will fall on November 26, 2022. American Express promotes the event with national advertising and businesses around the country participate. It’s estimated that since Small Business Saturday began, the event has generated about $103 billion in revenue for local companies.
There’s reason to celebrate
There are great reasons to celebrate small businesses in the US. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, in 2021 there were 32.5 million small businesses in the U.S.:
- 99.9% of U.S. businesses are small businesses
- 99.7% of companies with paid employees are small businesses
- Small businesses employ 46.8% of private sector workers in the U.S. (61 million)
- Small businesses generate 43.5% of gross domestic product, and almost 40% of private sector payroll
- Small businesses earn $13.3 trillion annually — 35.6% of private sector receipts
Compared to large businesses, small businesses are growing faster, according to the SBA. From 1995 to 2020, small businesses created 12.7 million net new jobs: large businesses created 7.9 million. Post-pandemic data has not been compiled, but some losses have likely occurred.
How do you celebrate a Small Business Week?
Small Business Week (1st - 7th, May) are all about shameless self-promotion, and why shouldn’t they be? You had a vision you turned into action. Whether you’re your only employee or you have a 100 on the payroll, you provide jobs and a valuable product or service to your community and beyond. Celebrate the event(s) alone or alongside your neighboring small businesses.
WHETHER YOU’RE YOUR ONLY EMPLOYEE OR YOU HAVE A 100 ON THE PAYROLL, YOU PROVIDE JOBS AND A VALUABLE PRODUCT OR SERVICE TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
Tell your story
Let your customers know who you are, what inspired you, and the history of your company. If you’re a generational business, blow up pictures of the ancestors who started the company and post them on social media, in windows or inside the business with their backstory.
Post your inspiration or where you plan to grow and develop on social media pages, too. Customers love to support local businesses: telling them your journey (or your family’s) builds brand loyalty.
Brag about your team
Let your customers know how much you appreciate the team that serves them. You can blow up pictures of your employees with their work story, too. List when they started, if they’ve moved up the ladder, how much customers rave about them, etc. You can even make it silly. If they’ve been with you for many years, try to find an old photo to compare with today’s look.
Thank your customers
Make sure you’re extra thankful to customers during any event. Add a picture of the first dollar you earned — hopefully with the date marked on it, or the day of your grand opening in your window. Let clients know you’re grateful they’ve been with you from the beginning, or that they just found you!
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