Small Business Saturday Statistics

Small Business Saturday, a day right after Black Friday, meant to bring business to local shops in hopes of sustaining local economy. This article has analyzed the effects of this new "holiday" over all of America, not just here in Utah. This proves that Small Business Saturday has more of a national effect than state, but that is good in the fact that support for the culture of small business has a chance to stay alive and well.

In my research I have highlighted Small Business Saturday and showed the details of it. This article is vital for my research as it gives the legit research behind the initiative. This will be a major backbone to my upcoming paper.

"Small Business Saturday Statistics | What You Need to Know." Grasshopper. Grasshopper.com. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. <http://grasshopper.com/resources/articles/small-business-saturday-statistics/>.

Small Business Saturday Statistics | What You Need to Know. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://grasshopper.com/resources/articles/small-business-saturday-statistics/

Local Entrepreneurs: Benefits You and the Community

In previous essays, I have mentioned benefits for local communities to support local businesses. This article gives even more reasons for supporting small businesses. Going small improves health, improves local economy, lets the customer know the people behind the product, keeps the community unique, and finally there is better customer service overall. All of these reasons are very convincing.

My final paper is all about convincing the average consumer to shop small. I plan on using this as a way of giving examples of close to home feelings. This article even convinced myself to shop small even more than I already do.

Rampton, John. "6 Benefits for You and Your Community From Supporting Local Entrepreneurs." Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur.com, 17 Apr. 2015. Web. 4 Apr. 2016. <https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244839>.

Rampton, J. (2015, April 17). 6 Benefits for You and Your Community From Supporting Local Entrepreneurs. Retrieved April 4, 2016, from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244839

Why do You need to Support Small Businesses

With small businesses creating more and more jobs for the people of America, it is absolutely vital that the culture of small businesses stays alive. Forbes.com talks about how the everyday American is, in one way or another, connected to a small business. Yet they are often overlooked for many wrong reasons. They may have higher prices or less of a selection of inventory, but that does not mean small businesses should be forgotten.

This article adds to my research as the main backbone to the main reasons for small business support. I have already talked about why small businesses get overlooked as part of the opposing side essay. This particular article will be the tie up for all loose ends in my research.

Leinbach-Reyhle, Nicole. "Why Do You Need to Support Small Businesses." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 2 Sept. 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/nicoleleinbachreyhle/2014/09/02/why-you-need-to-support-small-businesses/#15c4d466147a>.

Leinbach-Reyhle, N. (2014, September 2). Why Do You Need to Support Small Businesses. Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/nicoleleinbachreyhle/2014/09/02/why-you-need-to-support-small-businesses/#15c4d466147a

Why Social Media?

Social Media is one of the newest and most influential advertising means in this day and age. It increases brand awareness because it puts in right in peoples faces. It also legitimizes it by proving the brand is active in changing and keeping up with the times. It also increases sales by getting word out immediately about specials or reduced prices or new merchandise. Since social media is immediate, improving customer service is a vital part of small business survival.

Personally, there are so many small businesses that I follow on various social media that have increased in customer base just because of social media. I love it when they send out deals specifically for social media because there is a more personal feel to the event. I fully support social media as a means to contribute to small business growth.

Steinberg, J. (2014, September 08). 5 Benefits of Social Media Business Owners Need to Understand. Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://www.inc.com/peter-roesler/5-benefits-of-social-media-business-owners-need-to-understand.html

Steinberg, Joseph. "5 Benefits of Social Media Business Owners Need to Understand." 08 Sept. 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.

Watch out for Failure

The New York Times lists the top ten reasons that any small business can fail. They are reasons that any business can fail victim to. They are things like not enough money, a reduced demand for the products, or owners stuck in their own ways and not open to change. The most unexpected reason is out-of-control growth. When businesses all of the sudden start to take off, but don't have the financial backing, will fail. It is better to grow at a steady rate rather than all at once.

This article gave my research great insight into how small businesses function. I am going to pull many of these reasons into my solution paper as a call to action for the readers. The readers need am understanding of what small businesses need.

Goltz, Jay. "Top 10 Reasons Small Businesses Fail." Youre the Boss Top 10 Reasons Small Businesses Fail Comments. The New York TImes, 5 Jan. 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. <http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/top-10-reasons-small-businesses-fail/?_r=0>.

Goltz, J. (2011, January 5). Top 10 Reasons Small Businesses Fail. Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/top-10-reasons-small-businesses-fail/?_r=0 

What Can You Do?

It's the holiday season once again. Black Friday is looming. The focus is on the huge deals at large franchises and the local small businesses have no chance against them. The solution ends up being Small Business Saturday. The day after Black Friday, the goal is to bring more clientele to small businesses. Since its installation, Small Business Saturday has proven to be more a success than ever thought in the first place.

Small Business Saturday is a main point in my research. It is a day where small businesses have the chance to increase intake better than ay other day of the year. As a consumer, I feel that Small Business Saturday is one of the best programs to support small businesses to date.

Lowry, Erin. "How You Can Support Small Business Saturday." U.S. News: Money. U.S. News. Web. 11 Apr. 2016. <http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2015/11/25/how-you-can-support-small-business-saturday>.

Lowry, E. (n.d.). How You Can Support Small Business Saturday. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2015/11/25/how-you-can-support-small-business-saturday

5 Ways

Small Business Week was originally created in the early sixties by President Kennedy in hopes of creating more of a drive in entrepreneurship.  This article gives five ways to support small businesses during this week. The first is to go have dinner at a locally operated restaurant. The second is to buy food at a farmers market or local grocer. Next, spread word about your favorite businesses to acquaintances. Fourth, share the news of how local economy is supported by the consumers. Fifth and final, just appreciate the small businesses around you.

This article is very to the point of going about how the consumer need to support local businesses. By listing very simple tasks that any one person who has the desire to can easily execute. Personally, I try to do these things. It is super simple and rewarding in the long run.

Ty Kisel. "5 Ways to Support Small Businesses." Huff Post: Whats Working in Small Business. Huffington Post, 19 June 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/small-business-week_n_3461967.html>.

T. K. (2013, June 19). 5 Ways to Support Small Businesses. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/small-business-week_n_3461967.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/small-business-week_n_3461967.html

Choose Small: They Deserve it

The week of May 4th-8th is National Small Business Week. In this article, it is explained how small businesses are anything other than small. With more than 58 million workers employed in a small business, these businesses have a duty to provide for those employees. Small businesses need support to do this. Customers are what gives that support. As the article says "Everybody wins when we support small business", pretty much sums up what you, the consumer, needs to do.

In creating my solutions page, this is a vital resource as there are many pieces of interest that will add to my paper. Small businesses are vital to a state's economy, that is the case here in Utah. So this up and coming Small Business Week or on Small Business Saturday, do your part and shop small.

Goodman, G. (2015, May 5). Choose Small: Why Small Businesses Deserve Our Support. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gail-goodman/choose-small-why-small-bu_b_7154380.html

Goodman, G. (2015, May 5). Choose Small: Why Small Businesses Deserve Our Support. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gail-goodman/choose-small-why-small-bu_b_7154380.html

Solutions: Top Ten Reasons

Lists of top ten reasons for anything tends to draw the attention of any person. The top ten reasons for supporting local businesses is no different. By listing reasons about what supporting small businesses does for it calls the consumer to a duty of support. Shopping local creates character and prosperity. It gives a community well-being, helps with local decision making, and entrepreneurship. Jobs and wages are created, which keeps money local, which in turn keeps public benefits up and costs down. Competition, in the long run, will keep businesses open by striving to be the best. Environmental sustainability is something very beneficial to the environment. Product diversity keeps people coming back for items.

This applies to my final essay to be written as this is a obvious call to action. Small businesses are in need of support from consumers in order to actually make it with an income. I, personally, enjoy short concise lists that are easy to understand. This source is one of those.

Mitchell, Stacy. "Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses." Institute for Local SelfReliance. 10 Dec. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2016. <https://ilsr.org/why-support-locally-owned-businesses/>.

Mitchell, S. (2012, December 10). Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from https://ilsr.org/why-support-locally-owned-businesses/ 

Adjusting to an Evolving Business Climate

Written by the Regional Administrator of the Small Business Association, Mr. Stan Nakano congratulates the winners of the most recent Small Business Week. Spotlighting the many different small businesses here in Utah in the innovative ways of creating the best business environment they can. Small businesses have grown in number and economic sustainability. The growing number of loans also helps the overall economy to grow in relation to those small businesses.

This news article proves that the research I am doing on small businesses being vital to Utah economy, to be true.  Utah is growing in expansion of small businesses, creating more of a lean onto those said businesses to keep the economy alive and well. During small business week, businesses are striving to be noticed and for that to happen., they need support from us, the consumers.

Nakano, Stan. "Adjusting To An Evolving Business Climate." Enterprise/Salt Lake City 44.38 (2015): F3. Regional Business News. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.  

Nakano, S. (2015). Adjusting to an evolving business climate. Enterprise/Salt Lake City, 44(38), F3.

Investment Fund has Benefits

Back in June 2006, the Southeast Utah Small Business Investment Fund was reviewed in order to determine the " its level of economic benefit to the rural communities of southeastern Utah, measure  the effects the program has had on participants’ use of public assistance, and look at the efficiency of program administration. The main goal of this group is to help lower income families, wanting to start a small business, the opportunity to do so by funding proceedings. As of now, it is only funding businesses in the rural southeast of Utah, but hopes to expand soon to other areas as well. 

This applies to my research because small businesses are vital to Utah's economy. In supporting those who are willing to start their own small businesses, helps the economy grow immensely, especially in the rural areas of Utah where there are not many large franchises to shop from. Though this is a great program, it has been short lived for some because there is still a significant amount of public assistance payout still occurring for the area. Overall, it has proved to be beneficial for most participating businesses. 

 Utah. Legislature. Office of the Legislative Auditor General. Southeast Utah Small Business Investment Fund Provides Some Economic Benefits. Salt Lake City, 2006. [Report to the Utah Legislature] ; No. 2006-07. Utah State Library. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.le.utah.gov/audit/06_07rpt.pdf>.  

 Utah. Legislature. Office of the Legislative Auditor General. (2006). Southeast Utah small business investment fund provides some economic benefits ([Report to the Utah Legislature] ; no. 2006-07). Salt Lake City. Retrieved March 21, 2016, from http://www.le.utah.gov/audit/06_07rpt.pdf 

3/50

The 3/50 Project was designed to stimulate local economy and create an opportunity for small businesses to be stronger in clientele. It encourages customers to pick just three local small businesses and spend fifty dollars. It has been proven that when $100 are spent, $68 of that stays local. This is in comparison to only $43 from national chains, and zero when bought online. This will generate upwards of 43 billion dollars in extra revenue. This is a call to action. You as the customer must be willing to shop local.

The 3/50 Project is another great resource for small businesses. In my personal life, the business I work for, is a part of this. It really does help, more than one would expect. Working in conjunction with Small Business Saturday as well, gives these store owners a chance to survive,

 "The 3/50 Project ::: Home." The 3/50 Project ::: Home. Web. 02 Mar. 2016. <http://www.the350project.net/home.html>. 

 The 3/50 Project ::: Home. (n.d.). Retrieved March 02, 2016, from http://www.the350project.net/home.html 

Open the Doors

When the recession hit in 2008, small businesses all over were forced to let employees go or close doors. The majority of businesses in Utah have less than one hundred employees so this was really hard for many people to go through. That being said, even though so many got let go, once the economy started back on track, small businesses started to hire those people back. This helped the economy grow even more to get back on track. Hiring in small businesses has created a commitment to keeping those businesses alive.

This applied to the historical aspect of my research as I looked at the recession and what it did for small businesses. In this, I learned that the more people who are hired into small businesses tend to stay and work better than those in a large company. Small businesses are a risk, so having loyal employees is a must.

Coon, John. "Opening The Doors: Utah Small Businesses Enjoying Growth Again." Utah Business 26.9 (2012): 44. Regional Business News. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.

Coon, J. (2012). Opening the Doors: Utah Small Businesses Enjoying Growth Again. Utah Business, 26(9), 44.

Going Local

By spotlighting small businesses here in Utah, we can get an idea of how vital they are to Utah economy. We learn that the owners are just like you and me and need support to stay in business. In return, these owners are being innovative in what they are setting their businesses up to be. They are keeping up with changes in technology and styles of retail. We get to know these people in the way they portray the business they worked so hard to create.

This article works well with my research because it mentions the two businesses that got me interested on the topic in the first place, Jane and Groopdealz (now Eleventh Avenue). When I noticed that more and more the clothing I was purchasing came from small local stores, I wondered how much have they impacted the economy around me or if there was even a difference without them. This is how I got the topic of small business  sustainability with and emphasis on the fashion aspect.

Beers, Heather. "Going Local." Utah Business 29.6 (2015): 56. Regional Business News. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.

Beers, H. (2015). Going Local. Utah Business, 29(6), 56.

Utah: A Friendly Place

As a person who has lived in Utah their entire life, I can attest to the statement that "Utah is a friendly place for small businesses". By excelling in may categories, all pertaining to small-business friendliness.  The results of this ranking came about after  looking and surveying 12,000 plus small businesses for qualities like employee hiring and taxes. Utah just came out on top with everything.

I related this to my research because I am looking at how small businesses effect Utah. Since this turned out to be the best places for small businesses, it proves my point that there are many  "Mom and Pop" places that are vital to the community they reside it. There were also new tid bits of information that I tend to research more as time goes on.

"Utah Deemed 'Friendliest' for Small Business." The Enterprise 43.41 (2014): 1. ProQuest. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.

Utah deemed 'friendliest' for small business. (2014). The Enterprise, 43(41), 1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.dist.lib.usu.edu/newsstand/docview/1551677595/7C91C5E31EB45EDPQ/1?accountid=14761

Five Years Later

This article is an overall summary of how states in our great country are recovering after the financial crash of 2008. By giving information about single states in relation the whole United States, we are able to see improvements and recovery easily. One example is that of the job market recovery. The Untied States is creating around 190,000 new jobs every month, giving people a chance to earn money again. Still in comparison, 11.5 million people do not have a job. This means that we are still on an uphill climb to being back where we should be. That being said, the key to recovery lies within the market that started it all. The housing market must recover before anything else can.

I related this to the history section of my research because I am looking at how vital small businesses are to the Utah economy. This article showed how the crash effected all types of markets including what I am researching. There are some really good statistics in relation to financial strain as well that I used in my most recent essay.

Reilly, Mollie. "Five Years After Financial Crisis, States Still Picking Up Pieces." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 24 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/financial-crisis-states_n_3865630.html>.

Reilly, M. (2013, September 24). Five Years After Financial Crisis, States Still Picking Up Pieces. Retrieved February 16, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/financial-crisis-states_n_3865630.html

A History Lesson of ZCMI

Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution is considered the first department store in the United States, but was the first in Utah. Founded in 1868 by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it became a center for passing trains and citizens of Utah for all types of merchandise. Total income for the first year was 1.25 million, which was a huge amount for the time. To this day, ZCMI is still up and running though it has moved around. Stocks are still available to purchase as well. One can still see the original building in beautiful downtown Salt Lake City.

Since ZCMI was the first "small" business in Utah, it is perfect to focus on for the history aspect of my research essay. Today it is considered a "big box" store as well. I plan on using this as an example for both concepts through the paper.

Bradley, Martha Sonntag. "Pioneers and Cowboys." Pioneers and Cowboys. Utah History Encyclopedia. Web. 08 Feb. 2016. <http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/pioneers_and_cowboys/zcmi.html>.

Bradley, M. S. (n.d.). Pioneers and Cowboys. Retrieved February 08, 2016, from http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/pioneers_and_cowboys/zcmi.html

Index and Impacts

The Recession of 2008 was brutal on everyone in the United States. Economies were thrown out of whack all over the place. There is a way to measure how much the economy is struggling or thriving based on household income. This is called the "Economic Security Index" which also works in conjunction with the "Economic Security Across the American States". In 2009, Utah was at an all time high of 19.5 on the Insecurity list. The national high was 20.5. All in all, the Recession was brutal to all.

I am relating this article to my research in that the Recession is one of the points in history I will be focusing on. It provides background information, with some very important statistics, that will be beneficial to the overall feeling of my research paper.

Lee, Jasen. "New Index Shows Recession's Impact on Utah | KSL.com." New Index Shows Recession's Impact on Utah | KSL.com. 22 June 2012. Web. 08 Feb. 2016. <http://www.ksl.com/?sid=20953690>.

Lee, J. (2012, June 22). New index shows recession's impact on Utah | KSL.com. Retrieved February 08, 2016, from http://www.ksl.com/?sid=20953690

Does Size Matter?

In this eight page article, an analysis of Utah's economy was done. The research looked at many aspects of what keep the process going. It took statistics of employment (rates, payment, number of employees etc.) It looked at seasonal attributes for things like the ski areas and how that effects what continues to stay open. Another main aspect was looking at how the economy has been improving since the crash in 2008. Big and small businesses are helping the recovery.

This whole file will be a great influence on my research. In contained many graphs relevant to my claim. Also by looking at size, I can compare the large companies and the small ones here in Utah. This article was also understandable in the vocabulary it uses, which is always a plus. This will be a main reference in many points in this upcoming research project.

Knold, M. (2012, Winter). The Influence of Company Size on the Utah Economy. Retrieved January 31, 2016, from https://jobs.utah.gov/wi/pubs/localinsights/winter2012/localinsightsstatewide.pdf

Knold, Mark. "The Influence of Company Size on the Utah Economy." Winter 2012. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <https://jobs.utah.gov/wi/pubs/localinsights/winter2012/localinsightsstatewide.pdf>.

Shop Local First

This article talks about the top ten reasons to shop locally. It gives a statement and a reason for each, including a question of how the reader feels about it. This question is a mild call to action. The main points this article states that the reasons to shop locally are: money is kept close, it helps with the environment, it creates jobs, it sustains the local economy, plus a few more.

This is relevant to my research in that small businesses are so very vital to Utah's economy. I enjoyed reading this because it made myself want to shop small. The website that the article comes from is totally supportive of my research statement. As I looked through the website, I even found studies done right here in Utah. This is overall a very good website to use in research terms.

"Local First Utah | Locally Owned and Independent Businesses - Ten Reasons for Buying Locally." Local First Utah | Locally Owned and Independent Businesses - Ten Reasons for Buying Locally. 2014. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <https://localfirst.org/think-local/ten-reasons-to-shop-locally>.

Local First Utah | Locally Owned and Independent Businesses - Ten Reasons for Buying Locally. (2014). Retrieved January 31, 2016, from https://localfirst.org/think-local/ten-reasons-to-shop-locally

Support Small Business

This article urges readers to participate in support of small businesses of Utah. Small businesses are struggling to stay open due the lack of costumers. The internet and other bigger businesses are taking them away.  When small businesses close there is a major impact on the economy.

In relating this article to my research, Salt Lake County Mayor McAdams was quoted saying if Utah citizens shift only ten percent of spending to local small businesses, an extra $1 billion would come back to the overall economy. To illustrate this, if $100 is spent in a local business, $56 stays in the area. Compare that to the same spent at a department store where only $13 is kept. This completely supports the claim that small businesses keep Utah afloat economically.

Liesik, G. (2015, November 27). Utahns urged to shift spending during Small Business Saturday. Retrieved January 23, 2016, from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642589/Utahns-urged-to-shift-spending-during-Small-Business-Saturday.html?pg=all

Liesik, Geoff. "Utahns Urged to Shift Spending during Small Business Saturday." 27 Nov. 2015. Web. 23 Jan. 2016. <http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642589/Utahns-urged-to-shift-spending-during-Small-Business-Saturday.html?pg=all>.

Utah's Small Business is Growing!

Utah hasn't always been known for being the biggest economic giant. But that is changing now. The creation of new small businesses, Utah is becoming a financial hot seat. In this article, it lists the top ten growing small businesses in Utah. Each business listed is given a description of how it impacts the local economy. Statistics of each company employment rates prove that small companies are having a great impact in Utah's overall revenue.

The number one growing company in Utah right now is an online clothing deal company called Jane. An email is sent everyday containing discounted clothes from local or surrounding clothing companies to people all over America. The research I will be starting is how small businesses impact Utah's overall economy with an emphasis on the new fashion boutiques that have become a fad. I liked how this article totally supports my research by stating that a clothing company is dumping tons of money into Utah's economy.

Scott, Bartie. "Here Are the 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in Utah." Inc.com. 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 22 Jan. 2016. <http://www.inc.com/bartie-scott/2015-inc5000-top-10-fastest-growing-companies-in-utah.html>.

Scott, B. (2015, September 30). Here Are the 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in Utah. Retrieved January 22, 2016, from http://www.inc.com/bartie-scott/2015-inc5000-top-10-fastest-growing-companies-in-utah.html