Your small business is your baby. You created it, watched it grow, and now provide it with everything you have to make sure it thrives in the world. Every year, the Small Business Administration (SBA) devotes a week to honor the accomplishments of small business owners during an observance known as National Small Business Week.Small companies often provide unique buying experiences, services, and products, which are vastly different from those found when patronizing larger corporations. National Small Business Week, which occurs during the first week in May, is a time to reflect on this and celebrate how your hard work and dedication have positively impacted your customers and industry.
Small Business Success Stories
One thing that separates small businesses from larger companies is the dedication to providing customers with a service or product that’s disruptive or strays from what’s already on the market. This alone is one of the many reasons that small companies often succeed.
For example, Whole Foods Market is now among the most popular grocery chains in the U.S. When it was started by John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy in 1980, it was one of the first big stores that offered organic products. With just 19 employees, the first store opened in Austin, Texas. In 1992, Whole Foods went public and passed $1 billion in annual revenue in 1997. Today, it’s a Fortune 500 company.
Arianna Huffington, first launched the now highly regarded HuffPost in 2005. Through establishing a strong yet small tech team and staying committed to the overall goal of providing an outlet for people to share their thoughts and ideas, the business began to thrive, eventually merging with AOL in 2011 for $315 million. In terms of web traffic metrics, the site now goes head-to-head with major media outlets like The New York Times.
These small business success stories exemplify not only the persistence and dedication it takes to thrive as a small business but also how a commitment to providing people with unique products or services often is what defines small companies. This National Small Business Week, celebrate your own story and how your business has left a mark on customers.
How to Celebrate Your Business
Besides learning from success stories and finding motivation in other small business owners who have reached their goals, National Small Business Week is about focusing on your company’s progress with your staff and rewarding loyal customers.
Consider showing appreciation to your employees by buying them lunch or coffee. Even gathering everyone in a meeting and expressing your gratitude for their hard work can go a long way in keeping your team engaged and motivated.
Don’t hesitate to celebrate the week with your customers, too. Show them your appreciation for their loyalty with a deal or promotion during National Small Business Week. Write about the occasion online, telling your business’s story and posting photos of your company and its employees.
Stay tuned to the SBA website to see how you can show support for other small businesses, increase brand awareness, and even meet potential business partners.
About the Author
Danny Bradbury has been writing about technology and business since 1989. His clients have included the Financial Times, the Guardian, and Canada’s National Post. All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrants the accuracy of the information provided.
All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.
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