Yesterday’s online edition of The Wall Street Journal included a great piece about why it’s better to holiday shop with independent, locally owned brick and mortar merchants. If you missed it, check the article out here.
Thanks to the team of WSJ editors who reminded us all why going “indie” is the best bet. After all, which expression do you want to hear after someone’s opened your gift:
“This is so cool! Where in the world did you find it?”
or
“I already have one”
“I’ve been seeing this everywhere.”
“I remember from an online clearance sale.”
“Wasn’t this the doorbuster deal at Big Box XYZ?”
Exactly.
Okay folks. Small Business Saturday is behind us. So what next?
Well, the Big Things campaign is still in full swing, reminding consumers that locally owned, independent brick and mortar businesses have lots to offer. If you haven’t yet, check it out, print it out, and start spreading the word. We only have a few weeks of holiday shopping and dining left to wrap our arms around, so let’s do this thing!
Please note: As of summer 2011, neither I nor The 3/50 Project support SBS. For an explanation, please see this. If I’d known then what I know now….
Yes, yes, yes! Here it is! Small Business Saturday!
This post is gonna be short, because I know you’re up to your eyeballs in ribbons, bows, and bags, prepping for customers to come through the door. Print this out, tape it to the back room wall, then read it when you have a moment or two.
Five things to remember today [click here to continue…]
Please note: As of summer 2011, neither I nor The 3/50 Project support SBS. For an explanation, please see this. If I’d known then what I know now….
This is it, folks. The Week. The Big Kahuna. The Weekend When Consumers Open Their Wallets and Don’t Close Them Until Christmas Eve.
This is Small Business Saturday.
Now is when we need to ramp things into hyperdrive, really hammering home the importance of shopping with local independents over the biggest shopping weekend of the year. For the maximum impact, here’s the battle plan I suggest: [click here to continue…]
92% of consumers agree small business success is critical to overall US economic health
93% agree that small businesses contribute positively to their local community through jobs and taxes
91% have businesses in their community that they would miss if they closed
99% agree it is important to support the small businesses they value in their communities
90% of US consumers are willing to pledge their support to a “buy local” movement
Okay. So. What do we do with this information? [click here to continue…]
Please note:
As of May 2011, The 3/50 Project no longer supports SBS, for reasons explained here. Had I known then what I know now…..
Those of you who have been on The 3/50 Project website recently may—or may not—have noticed an odd space in the Special Promotions section of our Resources page, just to the left of our Big Things come in Small Boxes icon. Well, there’s a reason for that. There’s something special going on…
…and you’re gonna love it. Welcome to Small Business Saturday. [click here to continue…]
Yes, it’s been quiet here on the blog lately; with the holiday season fast approaching, I’ve been flying (literally) from city to city, speaking about The 3/50 Project. In the past month alone: 6 states, 5 airports, 11 cities, 10 hotels, 2 rental cars, and a whole lot of unpack/repack/unpack in my life.
But enough about me. Let’s talk about you.
More pointedly, let’s talk about you, fourth quarter, The 3/50 Project…and our 2010 holiday campaign, “Big Things come from Small Boxes.” [click here to continue…]
As someone who adores good wine, this one has me stumped. According to an article in USA Today, the state of Pennsylvania is testing out vino vending machines to sell bottled wine.
Seriously. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.
Give me an independent brick and mortar manned by a knowledgeable staff who understands wine, an owner who appreciates customers, and an environment where people have a passion for what’s in the bottle and I’m happy. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed those pleasures (as well as some extremely good vino), thanks to shops like Hennepin Lake Liquors in Minneapolis and Gourmet au Bay in Bodega Bay, California. [click here to continue…]
