Supporting Small Business in Minnesota
As a small business based in St. Paul, Minnesota, we love any opportunity we get to work with and support our fellow small businesses.
Glenn Oslin
Nov 27, 2019
One way we’ll be showing our support is by shopping at local shops and retailers on Small Business Saturday—which is coming up on Saturday, November 30, 2019. As MetroIBA/Buy Local Twin Cities notes, independent retailers return three times as much money to local economies as national retailers. Many local shopping areas and stores will host events on Small Business Saturday to bring in more potential customers. We encourage everyone to join us in helping support small business in Minnesota and beyond by shopping local.
Simply shopping at your favorite local retailers is a great way to participate in Small Business Saturday, but here are just a few of the many other activities happening around town to make the most of this busy shopping weekend.
Christmas Jingle Jam: From 10 am - noon, Moore Than Dance in Fridley will provide families a chance to stock up on holiday items and gifts from a variety of local vendors. Children can attend the event for $10 per child while parents can relax and shop.
Indies First: From 11 am - 3 pm, Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul will bring together authors, readers, and publishers in support of independent bookstores. Check out some exciting local authors and other special fun!
Gift-Making Day: From 10 am - 6pm, Simply Jane Studio in Minneapolis will have holiday-themed canvases and items to create the perfect holiday gift. Plus, shoppers get a free flat canvas board with any $50 purchase.
Minneapolis Craft Market: Sociable Cider Works will partner with Quince Minneapolis Market for an outdoor marketplace throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, supporting local farmers, artists and food makers.
Holiday Market: This Keg and Case special event runs for nearly a month, starting Friday, November 29, and ending on Tuesday, December 24. Nearly two dozen local artisan pop-ups will be outside of the market with an array of unique gifts, tasty treats, and a community ice rink.
In addition to our patronage, we have these tips and resources to help all small businesses succeed in promoting their Small Business Saturday events and boosting their sales this holiday season and all year long.
American Express provides customizable marketing materials to help shops and retailers promote themselves in advance of Small Business Saturday. If you have a storefront or online shop and want to participate, check out all of their valuable downloadable marketing materials. Any business can participate—there is no registration or sign-up required.
Meeting other business owners and professionals is a great way to build your network. You never know when there might be an opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and find referrals. Here are a few Twin Cities groups for small business owners in Minnesota to consider joining in order to help build their networks.
Many cities, counties or regions have a Chamber of Commerce, which is a group of businesses that focus on local business development. Activities can include things like government lobbying, networking opportunities, local advertising, continuing education, and volunteering. Check your local area for a Chamber of Commerce to join. Most events are also available for non-members to attend. Being an active participant can benefit your business year-round, and give you an opportunity to put together larger and more enticing promotional programs for Small Business Saturday.
This group of Twin Cities professionals is open to all professionals in the metropolitan area. The group holds meetings and activities about business development as well as happy hours, game nights, sporting event outings and more.
Minnesota Entrepreneurs (also known as MnE) offers members a supportive community of like-minded business people who are passionate about “giving” from their own entrepreneurial experiences. Members help each other pursue goals from the idea stage through execution, and welcome entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. There are no membership dues or revenue criteria.
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