Support Flint small businesses on Small Business Saturday, beyond

This Saturday, November 26, marks Small Business Saturday — an important reminder that our local businesses are the backbone of our communities and deserve support.

Small Business Saturday was launched in 2010 to encourage people around the country to support small businesses in their local communities during the holiday season and beyond. Launched during an economic downturn, it’s a lesson that still holds true years later as communities face new economic hardship.

Michigan boasts over 900,000 small businesses in the state, employing about 1.9 million Michiganders. Nearly 50 percent of all Michigan workers are employed by small businesses. In Flint and Genesee County, there are more than 3,000 small businesses.

Why Support Small Businesses?

From grocery stores to specialty shops, like my skin care boutique Elle Jae Essentials, small businesses are what makes communities successful here in Flint and throughout Michigan.

By choosing to support local businesses over large chain stores, you are showing your support for the community. Your money remains in Flint and helps to stimulate the local economy. Business owners like myself who live in the community will then spend the money locally once again, keeping the chain going.

Small business owners also give back to the community, often holding fundraisers and special events to show their appreciation to the residents who support them.

The more money that stays in the community, the more we can all grow together and keep Flint moving in the right direction and increase the amount of people coming into our community to shop at our small businesses. With the uncertainty of the economy’s future right now, the importance of supporting small businesses is even bigger.

Every purchase made from a local business helps the owner provide wages for their workers, and provide for their families. The more hometown feel of these businesses also means you’re going to get better customer service and attention from the business owner and staff, and spreading the word about your favorite local businesses can help them grow organically.

These are just some of the reasons that supporting a small business — both this Saturday, and throughout the year — is one of the best decisions you can make as a consumer.

Online and Social Media Support

If you’re unable or too busy to visit the local small businesses in Flint, there is still plenty you can do to support them. Social media platforms are invaluable tools for small businesses as they look to grow, and offer many methods for the public to offer support.

We use social media to connect with our community. Tools like Facebook and Instagram Shops allow the playing field to be leveled with larger brands without a huge budget. Customers can order our products directly from our social media, and it will be shipped to their doorstep.

We also have a Facebook group, called The Garden, which allows our customers to connect with me and my team at Elle Jae Essentials to discuss their skin care needs and how we can best take care of them. This type of personal touch is something you won’t get from a large retailer.

As you are doing your shopping for Small Business Saturday and throughout this holiday season, whether in person or through online and social channels, please keep your favorite Flint businesses in mind as you explore your shopping options.

The more people do this, the stronger our communities become, and the personalized experience might turn you into a lifelong customer.

La’Asia Johnson is the owner of Elle Jae Essentials, an all-natural skincare boutique located at 1214 University Avenue in Flint. For Small Business Saturday, Elle Jae Essentials is running a 40-percent off promotion on November 26th and its store will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more at https://ellejaeessentials.com or on its Facebook and Instagram pages.