My favorite subject is small business and through the 8THIRTYFOUR Happy Hour Hustle podcast, WGVU Your Biz Your Town radio show with Shelley Irwin or this blog, I am constantly promoting the amazing businesses in our community.

Small Business Saturday is tomorrow and while this is mostly for retailers, it is a good opportunity to shine the spotlight on all small businesses.

Starting and growing a business is daunting, to say the least, but you are not alone. There are some amazing organizations in our state that are here to help. This blog is dedicated to just a few of them, who have assisted 8THIRTYFOUR over the years.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
When I was starting 8THIRTYFOUR, I needed a crash course in business finance and SBDC offers financial counseling and much, much more. They offer expert assistance at NO cost to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business. You heard that right, their services are FREE.

The SBDC is headquartered within Grand Valley State University with 11 regional offices and more than 20 satellite offices.

I just recently reengaged their services to assist us in our Entrepreneurial Operating System journey, they offer facilitated sessions to ensure you are properly implementing.

Find out more by visiting, sbdcmichigan.org.

Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM)
If you know me, then you know I am very involved with SBAM, with over 26,000 members it is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community.They have been successfully serving small businesses in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969.

As a business owner, the ability to meet, network and commiserate with other owners is priceless. They keep us informed of policies at the state and national level that will affect our businesses and provide opportunities for us collaborate and partner.

Find out more at sbam.org.

There are many more great orgs, such as Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women, local chambers and Inforum Michigan. Determine what your need is then reach out to one of these great resources to take your business to the next level.

Are there others that should be on the list? Add them in the comments below.

Small Biz Saturday is coming in hot on November 25th. The ‘holiday’ was created by American Express and shines a much-needed light on small businesses. Michigan small businesses employed 1.8 million people, or 50.2% of the private workforce in 2013, according to the 2016 Small Business Profile released by the Small Business Administration.

In September The National Small Business Association (NSBA) released its 2017 Mid-Year Economic Report which showed the small-business outlook on the overall economy is at its highest point in seven years despite growing frustration over elected officials’ inability to enact needed reforms.

According to the NSBA Mid-Year Economic Report, some of the biggest challenges facing small businesses are:

• Politics or should I say politicians. More small businesses today say “partisan gridlock in D.C.” is the number one challenge facing their business than at any point in the last four years. Small businesses need Congress and the Administration to work together across party lines.
• Health care costs are seen as a major challenge as it relates to growth and survival.
• Obtaining financing for growth is difficult for small businesses. This effects hiring, expansion, employee benefits and inventory.
• Heating, cooling and lighting are the biggest energy costs for small business. The overwhelming majority (85 percent) of small firms are somewhat or not at all confident about the future of low, stable and reliable energy costs.

Small employers comprise 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the U.S., however, our system caters to large business. Regulations, taxes and health care costs can and do cripple our ability to grow and survive.

So…on Small Business Saturday, take the time to visit a small business or show your support on social media. Your voice helps us fight for change as we work towards economic stability while urging lawmakers to tackle the major issues facing our country.

Source: National Small Business Association, 2017 Mid-Year Economic Report.

As a small business I am a big supporter of shopping local, that being said I also hate shopping so if I can’t buy it online, I won’t buy it. I do make some exceptions, like if it involves booze.

This season, no matter where you are, you can support small by shopping small, all from the comfort of your home. Here are my top picks for Small Business Saturday, Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

1. NODDA Shirt. This is pretty much the best invention ever if you are sick of your husband, boyfriend,
   

   NODDA Shirt – www.noddashirt.com

   dad, brother, male in your life looking like a slob. If they refuse to wear a button down because it is too bulky or they just hate nice shirts, then order them a NODDA Shirt and they will look dapper for all your upcoming holiday parties. All shirts on sale for $18 from Black Friday through Christmas.

2. Shefit. Don’t worry guys, if you don’t have any idea what size to buy, returns are super easy. This local West Michigan company is running a special that offers any in-stock sports bra for$30. This will run Wednesday 6:00 a.m. EST (23rd) to Midnight EST Cyber Monday (28th).
3. Fido & Stitch. If you are obsessed with all things dogs, then give this local business your support. Whether you make a grooming appointment or order that much-needed Christmas sweater for your dog, they have a huge variety of items. Their inventory is somewhat limited online, however their store is awesome and parking is easy.
4. Bird and Feather. We all have that one friend that has everything and is impossible to buy for. If you are looking for something truly unique, why not give the gift of greenery. Bird and Feather specializes in high quality, easy to assemble air plant kits inspired by the intersection of nature and modern design. Each kit is designed to inspire a sense of wonder and bring soul healing beauty to even the of smallest places.
5. Gray Skies Distillery. Just recently this awesome West Michigan distillery released two new spirits, Single Malt Whiskey and Apple Brandy. As part of Grand Rapids’ Cocktail Week they put together a package that customers can purchase online that consists of a bottle of hooch, tasting glasses and slate coasters. You can purchase through their Eventbrite page, but will have to pick up at their tasting room.
6. Michigan Pantry. If you are looking to support Michigan businesses, then Michigan Pantry has you covered. This little shop assembles gift baskets that feature Michigan-made products offered throughout the state. They have gift baskets, boxes, candy, cookies, nuts, beer, wine and more. Their prices are incredibly reasonable and would make great hostess gifts.

I hope you will take the time to support local businesses this holiday season, there are lots of great deals out there and if you enjoy shopping stop by area shops and purchase some unique items you won’t find online.

Are there other local shops that sell online? Share in the comments.

~The unicorn is part of the world of nature and part of the world of dreams–and completely of the heart. In many ways, it is a symbol of our longing for the mysterious and the unattainable~

A few weeks ago I attended the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) Leadership Council conference. It was incredibly humbling and energizing to be in a room with other small business owners that share the same pain points, challenges and failures. In a lot of ways small businesses are unicorns, we pour our heart and soul into pursuing what most consider unattainable.

Small businesses are magical, they are by far the most beneficial to our economy on a statewide and nationwide level. There are a lot of small businesses out there, yet it would seem we don’t truly understand the power of being small.

Here are some interesting small biz stats for you on a statewide level (2012-2013 – is the latest data from youreconomy.org):

• 99.90% of all businesses in Michigan are considered *small.
• Small Business equates for 80.13% of total sales in the state. How about that for buying power.
• Growth of the number of small businesses over the last 10 years is approximately 5%.

Did you know that small businesses account for 99.7 percent of all of the employers in the U.S.? The Small Business Administration reports that from 2005 to 2008, small businesses were responsible for creating 81.4 percent of the net new jobs in the U.S. As we all  know, job growth is imperative for the continued growth of the U.S. economy, and small businesses meet those needs with new jobs being created all the time.

So what can you do as a small business?

• Well for one, join www.sbam.org (and no this is not a paid commercial), I wouldn’t recommend it if 834 didn’t receive significant benefit from it. SBAM had a pivotal role in ending the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) as well as the Personal Property Tax (PPT). They are one of the largest state based associations in the country with 25,000 members and put on the largest peer to peer small business summits with over 800 companies and over 360 buyer opportunities.
• Support other small businesses. Shop small on November 28th for Small Business Saturday and show the country just how significant buying local is. Frankly any day of the week, supporting small businesses should be part of your everyday routine.
• Educate yourself. Understand your state’s agenda as it relates to small businesses. Familiarize yourself with legislators working on your behalf and become actively involved.

It was refreshing to be around other business owners that understand their value and how it translates on an economic level for Michigan. We have a long way to go to but we are lucky to be represented by an organization such as SBAM that advocates on behalf of small businesses.

There is power in numbers.

*Small business for these stats is considered 499 employees or less (SBA standards).

Sources: www.sba.gov, www.sbam.org, www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small