In the US, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is celebrated as Small Business Saturday to support and promote this vital part of the economy. Since 2010, Small Business Saturday has celebrated the sector that provides approximately 66 percent of all new jobs and 54 percent of all US sales.

Today, be a conscious consumer. Vote with your dollars. Spend in a way that expresses your deeply held belief in community. Go out of your way to shop with local, family-based entrepreneurs and small businesses. Bypass the big-box stores today and put your money into the hands of people in your community who run their own business. Know that your purchase makes a difference in the community, in your local economy, and in the sustainability of local people. Each time you hand over money, affirm:

Small is better. I vote with my
money. I vote for people and
small business sustainability.