newjerseynewsroom.com

BY ROHIT ARORA

COMMENTARY

Small Business Saturday takes place during Thanksgiving weekend between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. American Express launched in 2010 to support local businesses, which create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods in New Jersey and around the U.S.

A growing number of supporters—including corporations such as FedEx and American Express, which offer consumers $25 if they spend money with a small business retailer on Nov. 26—have joined the effort. American Express reported that small retailers who accept the card experienced a 28 percent increase in 2010 sales when compared to the prior Saturday after Thanksgiving 2009. Additionally, retailers get $100 worth of free Facebook advertising and a range of free tools to use to market their companies. It's an initiative in which everybody wins.

Consumers can help their own communities by patronizing local small businesses not only on Small Business Saturday, but throughout the year. This is so important because small businesses create jobs, donate to local non-profits, sponsor youth teams, and add vibrancy to their communities. Additionally, small companies pay local taxes, which helps alleviate some of the burden that otherwise would be placed on property owners.

Some of the New Jersey-based small business owners I know have conquered tough challenges. Nisha Khanna, owner of a Sweet & Sassy boutique for girls in Old Bridge, N.J., tried for months to get a loan to open her franchise. Once she received her funding, the franchise has done tremendous business. It took a local bank, RomAsia Bank, to help her get the capital she needed to pursue her dream.

Barry O'Donovan's Kilkenny House, a popular Irish pub in Cranford, NJ, closed for well over a month following Hurricane Irene. Thanks to Alfred Titone, district director of the New Jersey District Office of the SBA, and his colleagues, Kilkenny House is now up and running and doing a strong business. Barry O'Donovan says his customers have made it a point to come to his restaurant because they are loyal to him and because they want to support local entrepreneurs.

The owners of New Jersey small businesses are your neighbors, they care about your community and give back to it. Yes, visit their establishments on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. But remember to do so throughout the holiday season and all year long.

Rohit Arora is co-founder and CEO of Biz2Credit (www.biz2credit.com), which connects 6 million small business owners with 450 lenders, credit rating agencies and service providers via its safe online platform. Since 2007, Biz2Credit has secured more than $500 million in funding for small businesses in New Jersey and across the U.S.

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