November 16, 2021 – This year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 27, 2021. The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) have teamed up to bring two days of media tours showcasing small businesses in our region to raise awareness about local businesses and the impact COVID has had on them. With access to free guides, planning documents, and best practices, small business owners and their employees are prepared for Small Business Saturday and ready to safely serve all their customers.
“Conscious consumers are on the rise. They are looking to purchase products and services from companies that give back to their communities and provide additional value to stakeholders,” said Jonathan Liebert, CEO and Executive Director of BBB. “We hope these tours bring attention to this year’s Small Business Saturday and support our local business community.”
We encourage Shop local and shop small – not just on Small Business Saturday but throughout the holiday season to save our small business community. For every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 70 cents go back into our local economy.
“Small businesses are the heart of our community and local economy. Small Businesses across the Pikes Peak Region and throughout Colorado make up 99.5% of all businesses, said Aikta Marcoulier, Pikes Peak SBDC Executive Director. “Due to coronavirus-related restrictions and supply chain issues, many of our small, locally owned businesses such as gift shops, boutiques, and restaurants are facing unprecedented challenges. Now more than ever, they need our help. Small Business Saturday is a way to show business owners, their families, and employees that we support them during these extraordinary times”.
There are many ways for both owners and shoppers alike to continue the shopping experience in a safe and reliable way, such as curbside pickup, virtual shopping, social distancing in-store, and much more. For tips and guidance on how to support your favorite small business and shop safely, check out the Pikes Peak SBDC and BBB of Southern Colorado’s pages.
What: Two Media Tour Days
When: November 19th and 20th from 8 am to 12 pm
November 19th | Downtown Tour | Inherent Clothier, Eclectic Co., Chiba Bar, Yobel, Mountain Chalet, Frayla Boutique
November 20th | Regional Tour| Tri-Lakes, Old Colorado City, Fountain, Peyton/Falcon, Manitou Springs |Heartshake Studio, Trails End Tap Room|Skye Candle Company and many others
Who: Aikta Marcoulier, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak SBDC, Jonathan Liebert, Executive Director of the BBB
What to Expect: Interview with small business owners and tour of businesses.
ABOUT PIKES PEAK SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center offers free business consulting, practical training, and business resources that maximize the economic potential of entrepreneurs within the Pikes Peak region. Our mission is to help existing and new businesses grow and prosper. Our goal at the Pikes Peak SBDC is to help emerging and existing entrepreneurs gain control of their business operations. We provide free guidance and consulting in all aspects of funding and developing small businesses. We strive to help grow and start businesses. While we cannot eliminate risk, we work to minimize it by helping clients write comprehensive business plans, conduct financial forecasts, strategize marketing tactics, apply for funding, and improve operations.
For more information about the SBDC and services, visit www.pikespeaksbdc.org or call 719.667.3803.
ABOUT BBB OF SOUTHERN COLORADO
Since August of 1980, Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado has helped consumers find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. It serves 25 counties throughout Southern Colorado.
BBB of Southern Colorado sets standards for marketplace trust – to create a community of trustworthy businesses and charities – by encouraging and supporting best practices, educating consumers and businesses, celebrating business role models, and calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior.
BBB of Southern Colorado houses 26,400 reviews on companies in the region and in 2017, processed 1,870 complaints. In 2017, people turned to BBB more than 160 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org.
For more information, visit BBB of Southern Colorado, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or like us on Facebook
The Colorado SBDC is a Nationally Accredited Program.
SBA 2020 Region VIII SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award Recipient