What does shopping local mean to you? To me, it means supporting other families right here in my community. It means valuing relationships and quality over low prices and bad service. And especially at this time of year, it means giving other moms in business a boost to help their own holiday spending. That’s why I am such a supporter of Small Business Saturday, coming up on November 24th.

My plan for Small Business Saturday had been to shop a little bit further than local – we wanted to head over the mountains, and do some shopping with the amazing small vendors at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. They have a Magic in the Market holiday event on the 24th, with tree lighting and a visit from Santa – and I thought it would be a great way to kick off some more unique and personal holiday gift shopping. But, the weather seems to taking a turn for the worse, and the passes have been being closed often, so we’re switching gears to shop locally here in town. We’ll start by getting coffee and muffins at this amazing little restaurant that’s just up the road, and owned by one of my neighbors. Then we’ll hit a few of the great holiday craft bazaars in Yakima, before heading to Glenmore Square, a great little shopping mall filled with small boutiques with local ownership. I truly believe that the difference in service you get when shopping stores owned by your friends and neighbors – versus your local Walmart – are worth the small increase I might pay in price. And if I ever have a problem with a purchase – they’ll always do what it takes to make it right. How often can you say that about the big box guys?

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses nationwide. Last year, over one hundred million people came together to Shop Small in their communities on Small Business Saturday – will you be one of them this year too? Or – are you a small business owner yourself? You know that I’m a big supporter of women in business! If that describes you, use the online tools and resources available from American Express to promote your small business and rally your community!

{Disclosure: Photo one from cliff1066™, on Flickr. I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for American Express. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

“If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready…” – Will Smith…. Are you a mom with a mission? Are you a writer, a crafter, a blogger, an inventor, or a direct sales woman? If you’re a mom running a small business, you know that while your job might be one of those most challenging occupations there is – it’s also the most rewarding, right? I know that while I work harder now running my own business than I ever did in any of my management jobs before this – I absolutely love what I do.

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