Did you know that there are over 600,000 small businesses in Houston and the 32 surrounding counties, comprising 99.5% of all businesses? Furthermore, these small businesses provide 63 percent of all new jobs and 46 percent of economic output (GDP).

It is especially important that we all support our local small businesses, so on November 25, I implore you to join the millions of other Houston region Texans to “shop and dine small” to help your local economy prosper! This is especially relevant now as many local businesses continue to recover from the devastation of Harvey.

Small Business Saturday® has become an American tradition. Small businesses represent the dynamic demographics of Southeast Texas, encompassing delicious, unique mom and pop coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries to neighborhood specialty boutiques, service providers and manufacturers.

Over the last year the SBA approved $929 million in loans to Houston regional area small businesses - which contributed to the 54,200 jobs created locally in 2017. When we all support small business we create opportunity.

Impact of Small Business Saturday

In 2016, 112 million consumers spent $15.4 billion at local and main street merchants and restaurants on Small Business Saturday®. Many consumers said Small Business Saturday® inspires them to continue to shop and dine small throughout the year and not just for the holidays.

Among those who shopped on Small Business Saturday®, 81 percent helped spread the word by encouraging family and friends.

Do your part with these six simple steps:

Commit to making at least one purchase from a locally-owned small business retailer. Get to know the owner. Your purchase can be even more meaningful when you share the owner’s story with your loved ones. After a day of shopping, continue to support small business by dining at your favorite small business restaurant, coffee shop or watering hole. Enjoy the experience. Travel outside your comfort zone -- and away from your computer screen -- to discover an out-of-the ordinary shopping district with some trendy local stores. Join the conversation on social media, using the hashtags #SmallBizSat, #ShopSmall and #DineSmall to amplify your support. If you find a great small business, Tweet or Facebook or Instagram your find so others can enjoy it too. When you open your gifts, start a conversation about which one came from the most distinctive and creative sellers. This can make for great debate over egg nog or your holiday drink of choice. If you’re a business owner, make sure you’re prepared for the holiday season by checking out helpful advice at http://www.sba.gov/saturday.

Join me in supporting and driving Small Business Saturday® until the sun goes down on Saturday, Nov. 25 in the Houston-Galveston Regional Area. And remember that “shop small” refers to whom you buy from, and not how much you buy!

Small Business Saturday PSA