Happy Small Business Week!

Since moving to Israel 3 years ago, I have gotten used to finding the “mom and pop” solution for almost everything. Need a picture frame? Go to the picture frame store! How about a new notebook? Why, the notebook store, of course! Need vegetables? The vegetable stand will do.

Though at times the lack of Target and Amazon Prime can be inconvenient, I have come to appreciate the opportunity to interact with small business owners on a daily basis. Needless to say, since landing in the USA a month ago for our 2‐month family visit, I have fallen back into the “Target time!” habit (its oh-so‐easy). And though the convenience of big box shops and chains often seems to override good old home‐grown businesses, I was pleased to find out that small businesses still account for the majority of sales in this great country!

According to the Small Business Administration, the 28 million small businesses in America account for 54% of all U.S. sales.

And, now that I think of it, every job I have had in my adult life has been with a small business, including my most recent (and dare I say, most favorite?) job with Weaving Influence.

A big aspect of small business week is encouraging small businesses to work together. I am proud to say that collaborating with and helping other business owners is the most rewarding aspect of my work with Weaving Influence.

I encourage you to take some time this week to do at least one thing to support small businesses. Here are a few ideas:

1. Take some time to give your favorite businesses a shout out on social media.
   Don’t be afraid to get personal and be specific. Is there a certain department or service
   at a local small business that has been exceedingly helpful? Go ahead and tweet
   about it (use the hashtag #DreamSmallBiz)! Post on Facebook! Even sending an “I appreciate you” email can be incredibly encouraging.
2. Opt for the small business. Sometimes the personal service a small business can offer
   you will actually end up saving you more and time money than if you had, let’s say,
   ordered something from Amazon Prime. I have ordered many a pair of shoes that did not
   fit properly or looked different than they appeared. I would have saved time AND money
   if I would have shopped at the locally owned shoe store.
3. Collaborate with a small business. The great thing about supporting small businesses
   is that everyone (even large corporations) can do it! I recently noticed local Indiana
   honey and produce at the Whole Foods down the street. Weaving Influence will be
   setting up shop and exhibiting at this year’s ATD conference in Denver (May 22nd-25th).
   One of our goals for the conference is to connect with other businesses and individuals
   who want to join our efforts in supporting some outstanding authors and thought leaders.

What will you do to support small businesses this week (and beyond)?

Margy Kerr-Jerrett

Margy Kerr-Jarrett enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in nature with her husband and daughter. Born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, Margy has been living in Jerusalem, Israel for the past three years.