Small Businesses Drive Dickinson County’s Holiday Season

As the weather turns colder, residents throughout Dickinson County turn their attention to the holidays. Those seeking that special gift for friends and family have the perfect opportunity to do so on Saturday, November 27, with Small Business Saturday. Just as important, it is the perfect time for holiday shoppers to familiarize themselves with the small businesses who bring their products and services to benefit customers all year long.

Small Business Saturday was organized more than a decade ago to highlight the importance of small businesses to local economies. It has been a resounding success, as the National Federation of Independent Business reported that, from 2010 to 2018, $103 billion in sales has been generated for small businesses on Small Business Saturday. In 2018 alone, it reported 104 million shoppers spent $17.8 billion!

Why Small Businesses?

The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy reported there are 32.5 million small businesses in the country employing 46.8% of the private workforce and creating 43.5% of gross domestic product. For Kansas, the number is 258,012 small businesses and 601,550 employees, or 50% of the state's total.

Small businesses fill a critical role as a primary player in a community’s employment base. The Office of Advocacy reports small businesses have accounted for 62% of net new job creation since 1995. Most small businesses hire employees who live close to their operations, so that job creation is an incredible boost to local economies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on small businesses. The U.S. has seen a surge in business starts, with applications for new ventures increasing 24% in 2020 over 2019, according to data from the Census Bureau. Dickinson County had 122 new applications, nearly 10% more than the previous year! These entrepreneurs face a difficult path as they begin their journey. The Office of Advocacy reports that from 1994 to 2019, approximately two-thirds of new employer establishments survived at least two years, with the five-year survival rate approximately one of every two businesses.

You Can Help! 

With so many new businesses cropping up, it is more important than ever to support them. Small Business Saturday is an excellent time to begin, but continuing with the actions below throughout the year is even more meaningful!

• Engage with your friend circle on social media to let them know about your favorite stores. Retweet and like a photo or post to your neighborhood Facebook page!
• Purchase a gift for this holiday season and then buy a gift card to use later in the year!
• Dedicate your time! While purchasing goes directly to a small businesses’ bottom line, visiting these establishments regularly is just as critical. Local establishments often have only a few employees who work long hours without a chance to get out to other parts of the community. Stopping in for a quick chat will let these entrepreneurs know their services are valued.

Where to Shop Local

Beginning with Small Business Saturday, many Dickinson County communities are promoting their small businesses throughout the holiday season. To find more holiday shopping information on all our communities, try the Dickinson County Economic Corporation (DKEDC) website. 

Driving Dickinson County Facebook

Visit Abilene

Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce

DKEDC is proud to help the small businesses and consumers throughout Dickinson County.  Starting a business can seem like a confusing experience, but DKEDC offers detailed instruction on how to do so. Plus, programs like the Driving Dickinson County campaign helps local businesses achieve success. To learn more about how DKEDC can help during the holidays, contact us here.