Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 28 this year, and The Chamber wants you to know that we support our small businesses and local members! Over 85% of our members classify as small businesses, with fewer than 50 employees. These members represent the heart of our organization and are vital to our local economy.

You might not realize it, but every time you choose to shop small, you’re making a big difference.  For every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the community. So when you shop small on Small Business Saturday—and all year long — you can help create a big impact.

Did you know?

• There are 74,202 small businesses in North Dakota, representing 98.8% of all ND businesses, with 195,312 employees. Combined with Minnesota, the two states have 600,000 small business employing 1.5 million workers.
• There are 65 SCORE mentors across North Dakota; 18 of them serve the FMWF area.
• National Veterans Small Business Week is November 2 to 6. Each year the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates, connects, and empowers service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. Follow along on social media using #VetBiz.
• According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau’s survey of small business owners, there are 2.52 million veteran majority-owned businesses in the U.S. In the same report the, the Small Business Administration (SBA) reveals veteran owned small businesses employ more than 5 million people in the U.S. with an annual payroll of $195 billion. Additionally, they generated revenue of $1.14 trillion and represent 9.15% of all U.S. businesses
• U.S. Small Business Administration lending continues to reflect strong economic trends during the period October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. In North Dakota, the SBA approved 183 7(a) and 504 loans worth $76.1 million to North Dakota small businesses.
• The North Dakota Small Business Development Centers advised 1,062 individual clients in 2019.
• North Dakota’s Women’s Business Summit will be held virtually on November 10 and is designed to help women connect with other successful women and find training in the business community. Learn more at ndwbc.com.
• According to AmEx, in 2019, shoppers came together to support their local communities more than ever. The 10th Annual Small Business Saturday hit a record high with an estimated $19.6 billion in reported spending.
• The City of Fargo has helpful links and information on their website as well. Visit fargond.gov/work/doing-business.

Find the 2020 North Dakota Small Business Resource Guide online here.

Fast facts*

• Total number of small businesses in America: 31.7 million.
• Percentage of all American businesses that are considered small: 99.9%.
• Percentage of total employees in the U.S. that work for a small business: 47.1%. Percentage of all Americans that work for a small business: 18.59%.
• Percent of U.S. GDP generated by small businesses: 44%
• Dollar amount of GDP generated by small businesses in 2019: $9.4 trillion.
• Percent of employer small businesses that are minority-owned: 18%.
• Minority-owned businesses contribute $1 trillion to the economy annually.

*According to the inforum.com article “Small business means big business across region” published on September 21, 2020.

What does your support mean? Check out what local businesses said.
“I think the best part of being a small business owner is that I can really connect with my customers who shop in my store. My patients are like family to me and their support means the world to me. I love to shop local also and support my neighbors and my community!” – Dr. Melissa McCulley, McCulley Optix Gallery

“Living and working in Fargo is the first time I’ve felt a true sense of community, and a lot of that is attributed to the small business environment. Spending the bulk of my adult life working for small businesses in Fargo, I’ve both supported and been supported by so many amazing companies and individuals, and it never feels transactional. We have a genuine desire to raise one another up because when our business community is thriving, we all stand to gain.” – Jack Yakowicz, AdShark Marketing

“The most rewarding part of our business is hearing our customers’ stories when they come into the bakery and getting to be a small part of their celebrations and special events. With everything currently going on in the world, it’s even more important to offer that personal touch to bring a smile to their face. Being a Chamber member has helped us connect with other small business owners, giving us a genuine feeling of being part of the FMWF community. The support from people shopping locally is the key to our success and has made us feel very blessed. Plus, shopping local just makes you feel good!” – Rinda Norberg and Jenna Larson, Nothing Bundt Cakes

“Choosing to support local business is an investment back into your own community. The return experienced from this investment is having a community filled with unique dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences that you won't find anywhere else. Even more than that, our region’s small business community often bands together to raise money, or donate their time to local non-profits in an effort to ensure a healthy community for all.” – Skyler Dutton, Thunder Coffee

“Being a Fargo local for over 20 years, Fargo truly is home. The people of Fargo are so welcoming, and there is such a sense of community. I feel very lucky to be a part of a new small business to Fargo and absolutely love when I can support others. With our location being open almost two years, it is exciting to see how Fargo has opened its arms to us and our customers have become our family. We cannot wait to grow our business in Fargo for many years to come!” – Katie Goetz, Gunderson’s Jewelers

“As a fierce lover of this community, a self-proclaimed serial volunteer, I couldn’t be prouder of the work we are doing. The NDWBC exists statewide as an SBA resource partner to provide free and confidential business advising. Whether you are looking to take your side hustle full time, survive through blizzards during Small Business Saturday, or open a second location we offer a thinking partner through your entrepreneurial journey. As I listen to stories nationwide, I continue to believe North Dakota is the best state to start your business and raise a family. It’s incredible to see the network of support, small businesses lifting one another up or sharing resources, and our community thriving, especially during Covid-19. I have seen many innovative ideas born during the pandemic and partnerships formed, it makes my heart smile!” – Christy Dauer, ND Women’s Business Center

"Now more than ever it is imperative to support small businesses in our community. The pandemic has created challenges for all small businesses, and many of us are having to find new ways to engage with our community. As a business owner, I am taking this time to lean into my customer base and get to know them on a more personal level. What problems do they have that I can solve? Who are they shopping for and what gifts are they hoping to give this holiday season? I am also tailoring my product assortment to the at-home, quarantined lifestyle that 2020 has created. Gift options include cozy clothing, fuzzy slippers, candles, adult coloring books, etc. 

As a small business, I know I cannot compete with Amazon, Target and Walmart, offering steep discounts throughout the holiday season. Instead I am choosing to offer tiered discounts on a "spend more, save more" basis. I am also offering a free gift for purchases of more than $100 on Small Business Saturday, which will hopefully encourage customers to spend more at one time. 

Another idea is to combine forces with other small businesses in the community. I am opening the doors of my shop to include another business owner and maker. She creates small, personalized gift items and home decor. She will be set up in my store for the day, and will create personalized gift items for customers while they shop. I am hoping her presence will be another attraction for customers to come out on Small Business Saturday." –Ashley Nowacki, Jade and Jasper


Going shopping?
Tag us in your small biz shopping pics on social media this year so we can see where you shopped and what sweet swag you walked away with! Don’t forget to wear your mask!
Organizations that can help small businesses
If you are a business owner looking for support, or are trying to start your own business, there are many organizations in our area that can help! From business advising to mentoring, to funding and trademarks, there’s a great team of professionals here ready to help you succeed. Check out any of the organizations below to get started!

• Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corp. for help relocating, expanding or starting your business
• Moorhead Business Association for advocacy, networking and information
• Small Business Administration, with a Fargo office, to start, grow, expand, or recover after a disaster, find low-cost business advisers or federal funding, certifications and more
• Fargo SCORE for mentoring
• North Dakota Small Business Development Center for advising
• North Dakota Women’s Business Center for training, advising and more
• Veterans Business Outreach Center for service members and military spouses to start or grow a business
• Emerging Prairie for tech and startup support
• 1 Million Cups for weekly events to get connected
• NDSU’s Startup Incubator at the Research & Tech Park

Did we miss someone? Let us know the great business support organizations you recommend!

How we can help
We also want to support area business owners and budding entrepreneurs! We can act as a connector, and even if we don’t know the answer to an issue in your industry, we probably know someone who does! Let us know what you need help with, and we’ll do our best to help you reach an organization, individual or program that can step in.

• Our PUSH program through Women Connect offers mentorship and support for professional women. And, a POC mentoring program is in the works!
• Hiring or need help? Members can submit their job openings on our website!
• Use our Member Information Center (an online members-only tool through our website) to send or respond to RFPs, collect web leads, get referrals and connect with other members.
• Our public policy committee or advocacy coordinator can help you monitor issues affecting your business, understand legislative issues or connect you with elected officials to share your voice and take a stance.
• Check our Business Directory for organization or categories that you’re interested in to partner with, or reach out if you need a referral.