Every Saturday following Thanksgiving Americas head out to local stores for Small Business Saturday - a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. First founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday has become an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season of the year. Last year, shoppers spent a record $19.8 billion that day!
Small businesses are an essential part our nation’s economy and in creating jobs that support our nation’s growth. There are roughly 32 million small business owners in America today. They employ nearly half the private-sector workforce and create two-thirds of all net new jobs in America. This year, we know that small businesses need our support as we continue to feel the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Supporting American businesses - including small- and medium-sized enterprises, is an important part of the State Department’s mission. Over 2,000 Foreign Service Economic Officers work at our diplomatic posts overseas and at the Economic and Business Affairs Bureau in Washington, D..C to advance the U.S. economic agenda worldwide. These officers advocate for increased U.S. business opportunities abroad and job growth at home. We encourage small business owners looking to expand overseas to visit our website to see some of the tools we have for assisting business overseas.
The State Department would like to take time and give thanks to all small business owners across America that make Small Business Saturday possible. Whether in-person or online, we encourage Americans to take time this Saturday, November 27 to shop at a local small business!
About the Author: David Joyce was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. David graduated with a Master’s degree from National University in 2017 majoring in Strategic Communications and is a Foreign Affairs Officer with the U.S. Department of State.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
