While shoppers will flock to big box stores on “Black Friday,” the Greater Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce are promoting a relatively new event, “Small Business Saturday.”
Inspired by American Express’ Small Business Saturday event, which is approaching its second year, the chamber is using social media outlets such as Facebook as a way to promote locally-owned businesses that can be overlooked during the holiday season.
“What we’re doing is we’ve kind of got a hybrid of an idea and that is of course to shop locally at our small business,” said Chamber Executive Director Sue VanRuff. “We’re trying to engage people and get their ideas.”
Chamber Board President Kevin Patterson explained the concept is a win-win for residents and business owners.
“Around the holidays people are always looking for good gift ideas,” Patterson said. “Sometimes we forget to look in our own backyard.”
A Nov. 11 blog entry on the chamber’s website listed several gift ideas, such as books, derby shirts, gas cards and haircuts, products and services which can be found locally.
“Now, we all realize the importance of international trade,” Patterson wrote. “But it’s equally important to keep some of our dollars right here in our community.”
Patterson said his hope is that others, including chamber members, will post their own ideas and propositions as well.
“We’re pointing out that there are other opportunities for these goods which are either produced locally or are sold locally,” Patterson said.
The use of blogs and Facebook are a part of the chamber’s efforts to use social media to spread news about its members, while providing a forum for residents to offer suggestions or provide feedback.
“Social media is a very powerful tool,” Patterson said. “It’s one tool in the box, (but it’s) a terrific tool. It’s one of the several things we can use to reach out to people and get information.”
Patterson explained they chose not to participate in the American Express event due to the required registration, whereas the chamber event is free.
“Ours is open and we encourage people to share their ideas,” he said. “We want a high level of participation right here.”
It is not merely buying locally, however, as the chamber posted a list of non-profit organizations in Maple Valley and Black Diamond to which donations can be made.
“Our hope is people will be more attentive to growing our local economy, keeping it local, discovering what’s here in Maple Valley and Black Diamond, and how easy it is to shop locally and get creative ideas,” VanRuff said. “The creative ideas are close to home.”
Patterson stated, “(It’s about) supporting the community. They’re the people who pay taxes and contribute to the services. It makes sense to support the people here.”
