Dear Editor,
As the holiday season begins, Main Streets across America are coming alive with lights, decorations, and the energy of small businesses preparing for one of the most important shopping weekends of the year. Small Business Saturday (SBS) is one of my favorite times of the year. Occurring right after Thanksgiving, it not only celebrates time with family and friends but also officially kicks off the holiday shopping season.
This Small Business Saturday, I encourage everyone to take a break from online clicks and big-box stores and turn their attention to the small, local businesses that keep our communities vibrant.
When you shop locally, you’re doing more than buying the perfect gift for grandma — you’re investing in your neighbors, your community, and the future of entrepreneurship. When you shop locally your dollar recirculates through your local economy two to four times more than money spent at a non-local company. As your dollar moves through your community it helps to create jobs, support youth sports teams, and sustain the local character that makes each of our towns unique. Many communities have embraced SBS as a vital way to support their small businesses and help revitalize their downtowns. I have seen successful communities’ partner with local businesses for marketing co-ops, develop creative marketing plans including contests, and even include pop-up retail to attract more visitors and shoppers.
This year, I want to highlight two aspects of Small Business Saturday that are near and dear to my heart – pop-up retail and youth entrepreneurship.
Across our region, more and more entrepreneurs — especially young people — are testing their ideas through temporary retail spaces, pop-up shops, and local vendor markets. These short-term opportunities allow aspiring business owners to reach customers, build a following, and gain real-world experience without the high cost or long-term commitment of a traditional storefront.
For school aged students, pop-up retail offers a powerful learning experience — turning creativity and classroom lessons into hands-on business practice. Whether they’re selling handmade crafts, baked goods, tech gadgets, or clothing designs, these young entrepreneurs are building confidence, community connections, and the skills that fuel lifelong success.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proud to support this new generation of innovators. Through our network of Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE mentors, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers, we help entrepreneurs of all ages access capital, training, and mentorship. For youth and first-time founders, these resources can turn a weekend pop-up idea into a thriving year-round business.
This Small Business Saturday, I encourage local chambers of commerce, downtown organizations, and community leaders to open their doors to pop-up markets and youth-run ventures. Make space for creativity and give our young entrepreneurs a platform to shine.
In closing I want to ask shoppers to please consider spending part of your weekend exploring your neighborhood small businesses, local pop-ups or student-run booths. Every small purchase you make sends a powerful message of belief and encouragement to the next generation of business leaders.
By: Jim Spencer, SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator
