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Community Corner

Small Business Big Rewards | Shop Small for a Big Impact

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by holiday shopping these days. But between Black Friday (which now starts at 6am on Thursday) and Cyber Monday, there is a way for us all to make a big impact by shopping small on Saturday, November 30.

Small Business Saturday began four years ago as a nation-wide initiative to bring light to the ways in which independently owned stores contribute to helping the economy grow. Small businesses are the backbone of the country. When we purchase goods and services from Main Street, we keep our neighborhoods vibrant and thriving.

According to Forbes.com, small businesses not only employ more than 50% of the national population, but have generated more than 65% of jobs since 1995. Almost 3% of the Northern Virginia economy comes from small businesses. With more than 28,000 small businesses employing nearly 570,000 people, Fairfax County ranks first in the Commonwealth for both the number of small businesses and people employed by small businesses.  Cox Business is proud to serve almost half of those businesses. The money we spend here stays here, in the communities where we live, work and play. 

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Annually, more than 100 million people support independently owned businesses on Small Business Saturday. Here are a few ways you can support the entrepreneurs in your community:

·        If you’re a customer: Cox Business serves more than 10,000 local shops, restaurants, and stores in the Northern Virginia area alone. Visit www.shopsmall.com to find local businesses participating in Small Business Saturday.

Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

·        If you’re a small business owner: connect with customers and download valuable resources here

It’s more than a Saturday to shop. It’s supporting your neighbor and your friend. It’s job creation and job security. So on Saturday, November 30 shop small and make a big impact.

Happy Holidays!

Allen Roberts

Vice President, Cox Business

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