Shop Small Business Saturday

Right now Americans all over the country are waiting in lines at Best Buy and Target for the infamous “Black Friday.” But another big shopping event of the year is tomorrow — Small Business Saturday. Every year the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday encourages Americans across the country to visit local businesses and “shop small.”

And Americans have a lot of choices when it comes to shopping small — the United States has an estimated 28.2 small businesses. Perhaps more importantly, small businesses employ nearly half of all private-sector employees, and create more than half of the non-farm private gross domestic product. And they don’t stop there  — small businesses have created 63% of new net jobs over the past 20 years and produce 16.5 times more patents per employee than large firms.

Unfortunately, potential growth is being tied up by a complex tax code and unnecessary regulations. House Republicans have long been working to ease the red tape holding many small business workers and owners back from growing their dream.

But tomorrow, there is something we can do to instantly show our support.  By taking part in Small Business Saturday we are celebrating the hard work and innovation of millions of owners and workers.

So today, consider sleeping in, skipping the Black Friday lines, and visiting your favorite local store tomorrow. Not only will you help an industry that has given so much to our economy and communities — but your gift receivers will thank you for the creative and meaningful gift, too.