There are 31 million small businesses in the U.S., which roughly make up around 99 percent of all the businesses in the country.
These businesses – not the big-time conglomerates – are the ones that keep our communities running. They are the ones that are highlighted during Small Business Week.
In 1963, after the proclamation from President John F. Kennedy, the first National Small Business Week was celebrated to honor the top entrepreneurs in every state with awards and special recognition, according to the Small Business Administration.
After this inaugural celebration, the week became an annual practice to encourage other small business owners and enable them to learn from the success stories of the top performers. After learning about how the top performers achieved their success, newer business owners can emulate the same practices to ensure their own success.
Since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration has worked to assist and counsel small businesses to flourish in the land of opportunity. This has led to an annual increase in the number of small businesses in the country. According to statistical data, the probability of young people choosing to start their own business is 188 percent higher today than it was in 1970.
According to the 2018 Business economic Impact Study from American Express, for every $1 spent with a local small business, 67 cents remains in the local economy. It is also vital to remember that 100 percent of every dollar spent outside Habersham County remains outside the county.
Since the start of the pandemic, 31 percent of all small businesses in America have failed. We seem to finally be coming out of it, but not every business made it out of the shutdown.
For those that have, many have changed their business models, and others stayed true to their missions. But for all of those in the community who have put in the work and survived, we owe it to them to support them.
The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce has planned events all week to show its support for small businesses, and they are extending the festivities out through the month of May to show how much they appreciate their members.
“They are the backbone of our community,” Chamber President Mary Beth Horton said. “Without them, we would not have the charm that we truly enjoy here. We will be traveling around with gifts for our members this month to remind them of how important a role they play in the success of our entire county.”
As a small business, we understand and appreciate the gumption it takes to meet payroll. And we greatly appreciate all our small businesses do to make our community a better home.