The merry month of May is the time to celebrate Small Business Week! This is a time to applaud and acknowledge the courage and tenacity of small businesses throughout the US. Small businesses (which the Small Business Administration defines as a firm that has fewer than 500 employees) are literally the backbone of the economy. The latest numbers from the SBA show that there are 33.2 million small businesses in the US, which account for 99.9 percent of all US businesses!
The 2020 US Census counted 2,432 businesses in Mendocino County and it’s estimated that 89% of those are “small businesses” –– meaning they employ fewer than 20 employees!
So what can you do during Small Business Week to celebrate our local small businesses?
- Shop local! We often think of getting the best deal online or at a big box store. And while you might save a couple of dollars, your money is best spent within your community. The amount you spend and the local taxes you pay stay local and go to support the economy.
- Say thank you! When you shop local at a small business, make sure to acknowledge the business by showing your appreciation. So many small businesses struggled during the pandemic and now we’re moving beyond it, take a moment to say thanks for hanging in there!
- Recommend West BDC to anyone you know who’s starting a small business. Our advisors have specialized training in so many areas of business expertise and are ready to help with free advice and consulting.
- Read about our small business success stories, visit their businesses, eat at their restaurants, buy their goods or services.
If you have an idea for starting your own small business but don’t know where to start, contact West Center today! From finessing your idea to creating a business plan to helping you with marketing, our team is ready to help.
