Small Business Saturday Lifts SMBs Up With High-Profile Campaign

Families travel lengthy distances to gather for the Thanksgiving holiday, but it's the unofficial shopping holidays, like Black Friday and Small Business Saturday [2], on the days after that seem to generate the most buzz. The extra relatives hanging around during the holiday also helps retailers bring in more business.

Persnickety Toys [3] in North Adams, Mass., saw great returns from its participation in Small Business Saturday, owner Monique Suters said to the North Adams Transcript [4].

"I had hundreds of people in my shop today," she said. "There have been big families with several generations because everyone's home for Thanksgiving."

Small Business Saturday started out in 2010 when American Express decided to invent the retail holiday to encourage its members to spend their money with small businesses. The campaign is now in its third year and it's receiving plenty of high-profile co-signs from major public figures, including President Obama, who visited a small book shop in Arlington, Va., in support of the effort.

My family & I started our holiday shopping at a local bookstore on #SmallBizSat [5]. I hope you'll join & shop small this holiday season. -bo

— The White House (@whitehouse) November 24, 2012 [6]

President Obama & his daughters did some Christmas shopping today at a local bookstore in Arlington, VA on #SmallBizSat [5] twitter.com/whitehouse/sta… [7]

— The White House (@whitehouse) November 24, 2012 [8]

Actress Jessica Alba also lent her support to the cause, tweeting out her visit the Pressed Juicery in Los Angeles. As the co-founder of her own small business, the baby product startup The Honest Company [9], Alba can appreciate the additional attention the marketing campaign generates for all SMBs.

I'm shopping @pressedjuicery [10] 4 #smallbizsat [11]. Love their juice! RT where r u going 2 @shopsmall [12] 2day! #adv [13] twitter.com/jessicaalba/st… [14]

— Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) November 24, 2012 [15]

Here are a few more social media highlights from this year's Small Business Saturday campaign

SBA Administrator Karen Mills shopping small at Roslindale Village in #Massachusetts [16]: ow.ly/i/1ahNg [17] #SmallBizSat [5]

— SBA (@SBAgov) November 24, 2012 [18]

#BlackFriday [19] + #SmallBizSat [5] + #CyberMonday [20] = #BrokeTuesday [21]

— HubScout (@HubScout) November 26, 2012 [22]

#SmallBizSat [5] splurge at @bankstreetbooks [23], starring @clairelegrand [24] @hopelarson [25] and @kaaauthor [26] :D twitter.com/TimFederle/sta… [27]

— Tim Federle (@TimFederle) November 25, 2012 [28]

Yardney is a veteran-owned #SmallBiz [29] that made mission-critical batteries for @marscuriosity [30]. More: 1.usa.gov/UlurfT [31] #SmallBizSat [5]

— NASA (@NASA) November 24, 2012 [32]

#SmallBizSat [5] was awesome yesterday. A lot of new faces and a lot of cool gear went to good homes. Thanks so much Winston!!

— CentennialTradeCo. (@Centennial_NC) November 25, 2012 [33]

Amazing service @totalhockey [34] and picked up the boys first wheels Yth6! #smallbizsat [11] #ShopSmall [35] twitter.com/warriorstickgu… [36]

— Keith Perera (@warriorstickguy) November 24, 2012 [37]

Who's supporting Small Business Saturday today by shopping small? ...and WHAT DID YOU BUY???? :) xoxoP #shopsmall [38]

— The Real Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) November 24, 2012 [39]

The impact of buying USA-made goods is huge for our economy & our communities. Healthier, responsible commerce? We all win. #shopsmall [38]

— oyin honeybees (@oyinhandmade) November 24, 2012 [40]

Small Business Saturday was amazing! Thanks to everyone who shopped with us.#SmallBizSat [5]

— Cowgirl Creamery DC (@CowgirlCheeseDC) November 26, 2012 [41]

Erika and Daniel created this great picture of our #SmallBizSat [5] cards pinterest.com/pin/1594556430… [42]

— Active Forever (@ActiveForever) November 26, 2012 [43]

Small Business Saturday was amazing! Thanks to everyone who shoppedwith us. #SmallBizSat [5]

— All-American Patio (@AZPatio) November 26, 2012 [44]

Did your business participate in Small Business Saturday? Let us know in the Comments.