The past few years of a global pandemic have been rough for all of us for sure, but especially rough for small business owners. I know we’d all agree that our economy couldn’t run without small mom and pop businesses. They create economic growth and provide almost 70% of all new jobs in the country. That’s why every year, on March 29, we acknowledge the more than 27 million small businesses in this country by celebrating National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. And I feel like this year, we need to give them even more credit for all of the hard work they put out in the world day after day.
This holiday was established by Rick and Margie Segel in honor of their parents and the successful hat shop they opened in 1939, which grew into a 10,000 square foot, $2 million clothing shop. It is a special day to appreciate the long hours, hard work, and dedication it takes to run a small business.
Why do we love small businesses?
1. They make shopping personal.
Finding that particular shop where they know you and understand what you need can make any day just a little brighter. Mom and pop businesses take a special interest in making sure their customers have a unique and enjoyable experience. They care about their customers in a way few large retail chains can by providing superior and personal customer service.
2. They support the community.
Small businesses have a real impact on their community by providing neighborhood jobs and recycling the money they earn back into the local economy. So, by spending your dollars at a mom and pop establishment, you can make a real difference.
3. They provide a unique experience.
Mom and Pop shops bring fresh ideas to the marketplace. In today’s economy, when you can find the same products in every Big Box in every city, it’s refreshing to find something new that everyone else hasn’t discovered yet.
How can you help celebrate?
1. Shop local.
Support the small business in your community by searching them out and frequenting them often. Hear about an interesting local spot? Go on an adventure to check it out, then tell all your friends!
2. Use social media.
Most small businesses are happy to get a little extra attention. Make sure to follow your favorites on all their social media platforms and promote them whenever possible.
3. Write a “thank you” note.
Running a small business is really hard work. If there’s a special Mom and Pop shop you care about, take a moment to write a note to let the owners and employees know how much you appreciate all the effort and care they put into making your experience wonderful.
Now… I have a little info for all of you entrepreneurs out there to pass on to your honey to help them support you best on National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day.
How can I support my entrepreneurial spouse?
Great question!
Your spouse may find themselves suddenly enamored with an idea, a business concept, a product, or a business model and will want to share every single detail of it with you at all hours of the day. You may not understand it all, and at some point, you won’t really even care – but you need to at least fake interest because ultimately you are their anchor, their rock, their comforting hug on a bad day, and their best friend to celebrate any business victory they achieve.
And yes, your spouse will have bad days too. This journey will be a roller coaster of highs and lows – just expect them. Let your boo vent, and be sure to remind them of how proud you are of them, how amazingly brave they are for forging their path, and all the small achievements they’ve already accomplished.
You may suddenly find yourself with more time on your hands as your spouse burns the midnight oil to develop their business. It’s okay. Let them. They will be eternally grateful and sweet to you when they finally come up for air, and you’ll feel like you haven’t done a thing to deserve it.
Occasionally, your spouse will really want your opinion about their business – learn to give it tactfully. Try to understand what they are trying to achieve, bring up the good points, and address how an outsider may view the problems with their business – your honesty is invaluable, but never forget their heart and soul is in this business, this process – so tread carefully.
Don’t forget to occasionally kidnap your spouse from themselves when they’re making themselves crazy with the work – this may be an impromptu dinner out, a back rub, or anything that will make them laugh. Sometimes they NEED YOU to do this – even if they don’t know it.
They are also prone to feel very guilty about finding the right balance between their work and caring for the home/ kids, so be sure to support them as well as you can with that. Communicating well about needs and even going above and beyond to help take home chores off her plate can be a life-changer for them.
Above all else, just be there, be present and ensure they KNOW you are always in their corner, you will ALWAYS take their side, and they are not alone.
Being an entrepreneur, especially a solopreneur, is hard, and the support of your spouse or significant other can literally make or break your business. It may not seem like much, but even a simple “I’m really proud of you” or “I’m impressed with all that you are doing” can go a long way!
