Shop Small on Small Business Saturday #SmallBizSat

A few weeks ago, Angeline and I had a conversation about what I am doing with this blog. You see, when I started blogging in 2010, it was as a hobby and I only spent a few hours a week writing and networking.

Over the course of the last two and a half years, my blog has grown from that little hobby into a full time job.

That's right: a full time job. My blog? It's now my business...which makes me a small business owner. I had to explain to her why I spend so much time working on blog posts and networking, because she didn't quite understand why I spend so much time on the computer.

After I explained to her all that I do, and how my small business - my blog - was financing our dinners out, her new clothes, field trips, our travels and paying off our family's debt (including my car!), she understood how important my blog is and how amazing it is for me to own my own business.

As a small business owner myself and after working for a payroll and human resources company that specialized in supporting small businesses for seven years, I know how important it is to support small businesses.

Did you know that 75% of new businesses close within the first year?

It makes me so sad when I see a brand new store or restaurant close down...when these establishments close, it is not a big corporation that is just closing their doors - it is a man or woman just like you or me, who has spent their hard-earned money (probably their life savings), and countless hours trying to make their dreams come true. Because they are individual people, when their businesses close down, they suffer tremendous personal loss: when their income stops, many times they lose their cars, their homes...it is a horrible, horrible trickle down effect.

We try to help small businesses in Miami in any way we can: we like them on Facebook, leave reviews on Yelp and check in on Foursquare to raise their social media profile - and we make a point to support them financially by shopping in their stores or eating in their restaurants.

American Express also supports small businesses, have you heard about Small Business Saturday?

American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010 to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year - between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

In 2011, over 100 million people went shopping at independently-owned small businesses on Small Business Saturday!!

We love a little candy and sweets shop in our neighborhood, as well as a few clothing boutiques, but during the holidays, we make sure to pay a visit to these adorable little craft shops and a novelty toy shop. You can find old fashioned, handmade toys as well as a ton of gorgeous handmade crafts and home decor. I love these shops because not only do I get to support small business owners, but we also get to support local craftsmen!

I will be paying a visit to my favorite local small businesses on Small Business Saturday - November 24th - and hopefully discovering some new shops as well!

Where will you be shopping on Small Business Saturday?

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.