March 29 marked National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day — a day to appreciate the immense value and character that family-owned small businesses bring to our communities.
These independent businesses play a critical role in their local communities. They provide top-notch service, create jobs, give back to others, and so much more. They are truly the bedrock of our economy.
In fact, small businesses power the nation’s economy and our communities. They account for 44% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, create two-thirds of net new jobs, and employ nearly half of America’s workforce.
These days, independent businesses face many challenges as they compete against larger retailers and pivot due to economic impacts from the pandemic. Help is here. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to delivering equitable relief to hard-hit small businesses so they can rehire and retain workers, safely reopen, and deliver the essential goods and services our communities depend on.
We encourage all family-owned and other small businesses to access critical recovery resources on sba.gov, consult with local and regional SBA business resources and services, and learn more about community health resources. With our collective help, these small businesses can continue to recover and build back better.
We can all pitch into support small businesses in our communities. Here are a few things you can do:
- Tell your friends and family about about these community heroes. Word of mouth is the best kind of free advertising.
- Order products and services through their online stores or buy gift cards.
- Give the business a high rating on review sites, share and like their social media pages and posts, and recommend their services or products on community listservs or message boards.
- Be a loyal repeat customer, especially as small businesses persist through the various phases of reopening and the rest of the pandemic.
Today and every day, SBA salutes family-owned, independent small businesses.