Welcome to Small Business Saturday!

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

1. No business functions without good employees. Business owners, take a moment today to tell your staff how much you appreciate what they do—sometimes, it’s easy to take them for granted.

2. If you’re an employee of an independent business, take a moment to thank your boss for what they do too. They aren’t just in it for themselves—they’re also in it for you, so you can take home a paycheck (believe it or not, most owners aren’t paying themselves these days, just to keep things afloat).

3. Make a point to tell every single customer how much you truly appreciate them. This isn’t the usual “Have a nice day,” but a more personal, more concerted effort. “We all want you to know how much we appreciate your business and enjoy your visits to the store. Thanks for coming in today.” Doesn’t sound as canned as the same-old-same-old, does it?

4. Holidays bring out the crankies sometimes. If/when they pop in, remind yourself:

• For every two grumpy customers, there are 98 others who appreciate you.
• The baggage they just dumped on you came in with them. They own it. And they’ll take it home with them when they leave.

5. You’ve survived two of the worst economic years in three generations…and you’re still standing. That deserves one MASSIVE pat on the back. Well done!

Happy Small Business Saturday, everyone—you’re Superheroes, all!