When you started your business, you joined an exceptional group of people: entrepreneurs. It’s time to celebrate you and the many others in your community!
Though it’s moved around a bit in the past few years, National Small Business Week is typically celebrated the first week of May. During the week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) hosts conferences, networking events, and awards acknowledging prominent business owners from all walks of life.
This year, National Small Business Week takes place from May 1st through the 7th. After the challenges of the past few years, this year’s theme is “Building a Better America through Entrepreneurship,” celebrating the hard work and tenacity of entrepreneurs who’ve shown resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Here are some ways to get involved in the celebration to support your peers and promote your own small business.
Share your story
Customers connect with small businesses for a more human, unique shopping experience. Take advantage of this opportunity to open up about who you are and why you started your business, highlighting the people behind the brand while creating stronger connections with your customers.
Write a post for LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram detailing why you started the company, any struggles you faced, and the people who supported you. Consider this a chance to share your own compelling story, which can help refer new people to your business while inspiring others to consider starting their own.
Image via @patriciaandpaul
Support fellow small business owners
Share the love with other small businesses in your area! Posting on social media is a great way to give a shout-out to your community. Other businesses often repost and reciprocate, which gets you in front of a new set of eyes who might not otherwise follow you.
Encourage other small businesses to participate and use a shared hashtag (like #SmallBusinessWeek). A study by SalesForce showed that 48% of people find their favorite small businesses on social media, making it a great way for you to expand your brand.
Connect with other local business owners
Ready to go beyond social media? Reach out to other local business owners for an in-person chat. Setting up a coffee chat or something casual to discuss your successes, struggles, and learnings creates opportunities to share your knowledge and learn from your peers.
Together, you can help each other navigate and anticipate the unknowns of running a business in your area. The connections you make can help you form a supportive community or even strategic partnerships. Who knows, maybe your next supplier is right down the street!
Image via @thegoodhop
Offer a promo
Your customers helped you get where you are today—Small Business Week is a great opportunity to give back and thank them for their business. Offering a loyalty discount or promo is an easy way to show your appreciation.
You can also offer a bonus discount for referrals to reward your customers for supporting your marketing efforts. This is a great way to raise brand awareness through word of mouth—something that influences purchasing decisions for 83% of Americans.
Attend the free virtual summit
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is an amazing support for small businesses, providing incredible resources, mentorship opportunities, and even loans. Every year, they hold a conference for Small Business Week.
This year’s event goes from May 2nd through the 5th—it’s online and completely free to attend. By registering, you’ll get access to critical federal resources, educational sessions, and opportunities to connect with other small business owners as well as industry experts. Registration for the 2022 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit is open now!
Image via @polishedplayhouse
Shop local
Whether you’re shopping your business or making a personal purchase, choosing to shop local is one of the best ways to celebrate small business. By keeping business in your own community, you put money towards creating jobs, help stimulate the local economy, reduce the environmental impact of your purchases, and can even help you find your new favorite local product. Investing in the entrepreneurship of others helps to grow the community of local businesses that everyone benefits from.
Most importantly, take time to celebrate your hard work, your way! Happy Small Business Week from all of us here at Bench!