November is ‘Thank a Business Month’

As we enter the busiest shopping season of the year, it’s a great time to thank a business.

The Better Business Bureau suggests customers give a nod of support and thanks to trusted businesses with great products, customer service, and community involvement.

Businesses, small, midsize and large, do more than provide jobs for their employees. They often serve as an integral part of the fabric and lifeblood of their communities.

The BBB is acknowledging the importance of businesses in November with “Thank a Business Month,” inviting customers to say thank you, which is beneficial for the business and easy to do.

“At the end of November, we celebrate local and smaller businesses with Small Business Saturday following Thanksgiving. That’s very important, but one day a year isn’t enough to thank great businesses that do an exceptionally good job,” said Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau.

Of course, the ultimate compliment is to continue to do business and spend money with great local businesses.

Another powerful way to thank a business you like is to leave a positive review. When you have a great experience where the business went above and beyond your expectations, post a good review on various sites. The Better Business Bureau website at BBB.org is a great place to start.

The latest BBB Trust Poll found 68% of respondents are more likely to leave a review for a business after a negative experience than a positive experience.

Posting positive reviews on Google, local Facebook groups or any review site of your choice helps tout a great business. Also, posting positive comments on the business’ website and social media channels helps immensely.

Reputation can mean everything, especially for a small-business owner trying to attract and retain customers. You want to tell customers that your business is trustworthy, ethical, and transparent — and what better way to illustrate that story than through online customer reviews.

There are so many reasons to acknowledge great businesses for great service and the impact they have on the quality of life where they are doing business. In addition to the revenue generated by the tax dollars they pay, there is also the financial support they provide for scores of nonprofits and charities. In many cases, they sponsor local causes and community events.

Money spent at local businesses keeps much more money in the state and city they reside in. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses contribute 43.5% of U.S. economic activity. In the case of shopping locally, about 68 cents of every dollar spent in the community stays in the community, while only 43 cents of every dollar stays when shopping non-locally.

“These small businesses are close to home, often down the street or around the corner, providing for our essential needs,” Bernas said. “Small businesses can also say ‘Thank You’ to their fellow small business owners by purchasing locally the goods and services they need.”

Small businesses employ 59 million Americans, totaling 45.9% of private sector employees. From 1995 to June 2023, small businesses created 20.2 million net new jobs, accounting for 61.1% of net jobs created since 1995.

Saying “Thank You” is beneficial for the business and easy to do:

• Continue to do business and spend money with great local businesses.

• When you have an excellent experience where the business went above and beyond your expectations, post a good review on the Better Business Bureau website at BBB.org

• Additionally, post positive comments on a business website or social media.

• Spread the word among family and friends.

• Buy gift cards, and if ordering out at a restaurant, try to pick your food up instead of forcing restaurants to use margin-cutting delivery services.

• Choose local. That may not always be possible but, when it is, it can have a significant impact.

• You can find local retailers online, try the local chamber of commerce, neighborhood-focused organizations, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, TikTok, and other social media sites.

• If you have in your community a “buy local” organization, take part in any events they may have. Do this year-round.