Today is one of those national calendar days that is very near and dear to our hearts. March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. This day celebrates small business owners across the country. With so many businesses taking a big economic hit from COVID-19, we think it’s more important than ever this year to support local businesses.
The name Mom and Pop is sort of old-fashioned – it stems from the history behind the holiday. Rick and Margie Segel established the holiday in honor of their parents and the small but successful hat shop they opened in 1939 which eventually grew into a 10,000 sq. ft., $2 million clothing shop. The Segels wanted it to be a special day for people to appreciate the long hours, hard work, and dedication it takes to run a small business.
Today, the term refers to family-owned small businesses and independently operated businesses like LiveWell Outdoors and many of our vendors. Think the opposite of Walmart, Amazon, CVS, etc. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the business is tiny. The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees.
According to the 2019 Small Business Profile, the SBA says:
Now, sadly, those numbers have gone down during the course of the pandemic. That’s why small businesses need your support now more than ever.
Whether you’re an individual or you run a small business, you can help others like you in a number of ways, including:
Even if it’s curbside pickup or delivery, try to shop local. Small businesses support your local economy. When they thrive, the community thrives.
Use social media to spread the word about some of your favorite businesses. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
A tremendous number of people choose which business gets their hard-earned dollars by reading reviews first. If a small business impressed you with their products and services, do them a favor. Tell the world about it. Leave a Google review, a Yelp review, a Facebook review – you get the idea.
So, we want to take a moment to practice what we preach and give a shout out to some of the best vendors we work with, including:
We’re honored to work with some of the best companies in the outdoor living arena.
Don’t wait for Mom and Pop Business Owners Day or Small Business Saturday to support small businesses. Try to make it a habit year-round.
