UPside of Life: Everyday is for celebrating small businesses

For people who don't salivate over the idea of getting out and shopping, shoulder to shoulder, with hundreds upon hundreds of other people just to get a few great sales, the whole Black Friday idea is a little bit daunting.

But what's interesting is that Small Business Saturday, which is the very next day, typically isn't seeing the same kind of rush. Even Cyber Monday, which, for the record, is the Monday following Black Friday (intimidating, see?), tends to be a bit more popular.

The real question is simple: Why? Is it because small businesses tend not to be able to offer the same discounts that large, national (and sometimes international) box stores can offer? It has to be, because it's sure not due to small businesses offering less personalized services, or being less customer service focused. If you've ever stepped foot in a BoxMart or a BetterBuy, then you know it's more like trying to figure out where you are on an inverted map then it is smooth sailing.

Small businesses may charge a dollar or two more, but the numbers about local dollars staying local are pretty impressive and should act as a factor in convincing shoppers to spend their hard-earned money in the towns and regions that they call home.

Iron Mountain Main Street director Jonathan Ringel is the kind of guy that believes in keeping business as local as possible. So much, in fact, that at the end of his emails, below his signature, there is an interesting tidbit of information that should be printed on the U.S. dollar bill: Spend $100 locally, $62 stays right in your community. Spend that same $100 at a national chain, only $42 stays in your community. Spend that same $100 online, $0 is returned to your community.

A whopping 20-percent difference in how much in the way of funds stays locally. Isn't that enough to convince you to step out of your house, do your holiday shopping (and as much of your shopping as possible, for that matter) right in your local community?

Perhaps you're one of those people that just doesn't want to go to the stores this time of year to fight the mobs and the long lines? Internet shopping is very attractive for that reason, but the good news is that it can still be local.

Take MiUpperHand, for example--they offer local goods, made here in the U.P., from a website that is based right here in the Upper Peninsula. Getz's, too. And for those looking for those tasty U.P. treats to send to friends and family? Well, you can get those online, through a U.P. company, as well.

So while it's always best to go out and support your local small businesses in person, even if you have a desire to do all of your shopping online, you can do it in a way that still supports your friends, your neighbors and your fellow Yoopers.

Don't wait for a special day to celebrate your small businesses--make every day Small Business Day.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of U.P. Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and learned from a young age that spending money locally helps keep locals in business. He can be reached via email.