FORT LAUDERDALE — Small Business Saturday featured a number of events across South Florida to introduce new mom-and-pop businesses.
The shopping event, started 15 years ago by credit card company American Express, focuses on “shopping local” on the Saturday after Black Friday. According to the Small Business Administration, the day generated more than $17 billion in revenue nationwide in 2023.
Especially in South Florida, small business owners and shoppers told CBS News Miami how much of a difference this day makes.
Shannon Schulte and her family founded GoShannon.com, which sells honey-based products. They are still finding their footing.
“We’re just starting to sell this now,” Schulte said. “I’ve been practicing, so I’ll start today.”
They set up shop at the Oakland Park Small Business Market, where 60 different small businesses had tents set up.
Marisa McConnell and Kelsey Curran, who organized the market, told CBS News Miami that this is more exposure than these stores typically get in a day.
“We have at least two to three thousand people here today,” McConnell said.
Local businesses love this time of year because it means more people are shopping in their stores over the holidays, but it also means more shoplifting is possible.
Kevin Ressler, manager of Sinbad Sports, said he relies heavily on security at Coral Ridge Mall to track down shoplifters because there are only a few employees working in retail and online sales. He said he is doing so. He admits there are more people during the holidays.
“They’re definitely on vacation because they’re trying to blend in with the crowd,” Ressler said. “At that time, the security of the mall itself will also be strengthened.”
According to Ressler, there aren’t many locally-owned sports memorabilia and apparel shops in the area.
“It’s definitely hard to get the word out, definitely difficult,” he said. “People need to know that you’re selling what you’re selling here.”
But most importantly, he said, are the sales, deals and discounts that will help you carve out a niche in your business.
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steve mageli
