Regardless of your political opinions and views on why our economy is tanking, we all have that favorite restaurant we still frequent, that favorite store we always love to shop, that hobby that we spend too much money supporting, or that indulgence  or addiction we just can’t give up. We, as America, are making choices every day where, and for what, we are spending (or wasting) our money. 

As successful businesswomen, we must be savvy as to how we capitalize our business dollars. As a small business owner, I feel strongly about the responsibility we have to economically support our colleagues, community, and country.

A remarkable recent movement is the 2^nd Annual Small Business Saturday occurring on November 26^th.

Sponsored by American Express, Small Business Saturday occurs during the heaviest shopping weekend of the year. Its purpose is to direct shopping towards your local small business rather than the large chain retail stores. Then, in turn, these businesses can invest back into the community and possibly even your business. “When we all shop small, it will be huge.”

They have done an excellent job of promoting local small businesses and giving them the tools they need to market themselves to make Small Business Saturday a success. People are “liking” it all over Facebook and consumers are pledging their support to shop small on the 26^th.

We, as businesswomen, need to ensure we are taking advantage of this incredible opportunity to promote our business. We, as citizens of our community and our great nation, must make sure we do our part to invest in and support our local small businesses throughout this holiday season (and beyond).

This guest post comes from Bev Gray, CEO of Exhibit Edge. Bev has been the leader of Exhibit Edge since 1992. Under Bev’s leadership, Exhibit Edge has thrived. In 2004 Exhibit Edge received its Woman-Owned Certification by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.