Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzmán, head of the federal Small Business Administration (SBA), invites all citizens to shop, eat out, enjoy November 25 in small businesses and celebrate, celebrating in this way “Small Business Saturday®”.
“Small businesses are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, empowering the local economy and allowing us to strengthen relationships within our communities,” he said. Director Guzman. “SBA encourages everyone to join the national movement that supports small business owners and encourages them to shop local for the holidays, in celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit. Together, we can make a big difference for the small businesses that are essential and contribute to the progress of our neighborhoods.”
For his part, he said: SBA Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Area Director, Jose E. Rivera“We are promoting that on Saturday, November 25, everyone supports local small businesses with their Christmas shopping and enjoys the start of the Christmas festivities by supporting our small businesses in their community to continue strengthening our economy,” he noted.
“The Christmas season on the island usually sparks cultural fervor in the community which will resume its traditions for several months which will include not only celebrating festivities but also buying gifts and things to decorate. For this reason, we are appealing to that cultural fervor so that, starting from November 25, Small Business Sat, making purchases in small local businesses in the country, thus helping to make the season truly prosperous, especially for the Puerto Rican merchant. “They are the ones who contribute to the economic development of the communities and those who have a direct impact on the quality of life of each of our families,” Rivera added. He pointed out that 98% of the companies on the island are considered small, which includes about 48,000 establishments that generate approximately 500,000 job opportunities.
Originally founded by American Express® in 2010 and officially co-sponsored by the SBA since 2011, Small Business Saturday It is a day dedicated to supporting various local business initiatives that generate employment opportunities, contribute to economic growth and strengthen communities nationwide. According to American Express, the total expected spending of U.S. consumers who shopped at independent stores and restaurants during Small Business Saturday last year reached an all-time high at an estimated $17.9 billion.1. 72% of shoppers strongly say they will continue to shop at small businesses during the holiday season due to its significant impact on their local community.
President Biden’s economic agenda, “Investing in America,” continues to support small businesses and their owners across the country. Under the Biden-Harris administration, the United States has seen a historic small business boom, with 14 million small business applications filed since the President took office, reflecting the strength of our economy. Small Business Saturday 2023 provides a new opportunity for American consumers to come together and support small businesses across sectors that have fueled our country’s economic growth and are cornerstones of communities across the country.
To learn more about Small Business Saturday, visit sba.gov/saturday.
