Your Guide to Small Business Saturday 2018

Every year, Small Business Saturday takes place the day after Black Friday to encourage shoppers to support their local shops, artisans and entrepreneurs. The Indy Chamber believes in the power of shopping local because not only does it support our small businesses, but it helps all of us: According to a national study, if you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in your local economy. If you spend the same are a large business, only $43 stays in the local economy. This holiday, choose to #shopsmall!

1. PLAN YOUR ROUTE:

Check out the #smallbizsat with American Express map, featuring small businesses around you based on your location.

2. VISIT THE #SHOPSMALL HOTSPOTS:

Mass Ave: Over 75 Mass Ave merchants and venues are participating in this year’s event. Starting at 9 a.m., over 250 swag bags are being given to the early bird shoppers. Merchants are giving back with over $5,000 in discounts, merchandise, and swag. Over 41 award-winning restaurants/bars, and entertainment venues will be open, and parking is free behind Homespun and at Bottleworks Indy. VIEW MORE.

Broad Ripple: From 10 PM to 5PM, retailers and a couple of special pop-up shops will offer deals on products ranging from retail to dining and bars.  Destinations are scattered throughout the Village, so make sure you first stop the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) office, 818 Broad Ripple Avenue to pick up a MAP of all the destinations. BRVA will be giving away reusable American Express canvas bags to the first 100 visitors! The bags have special offers from Village businesses. LEARN MORE.

Carmel: As a development focused on independently-owned specialty retail and restaurant offerings, Carmel City Center is the perfect place to spend “Small Business Saturday.” Many of the shops will have special promotions in their stores to help you kick off your holiday shopping tradition! Free donuts and coffee, shop small bags, and special giveaways will be available! LEARN MORE.

Fishers: Join the City of Fishers for a citywide celebration of Small Business Saturday and enjoy exclusive discounts and promotions at restaurants and shops throughout Fishers. A new addition to this year’s event is the “Shop Fishers Music Hall,” a special pop-up lounge for shoppers conveniently located in the heart of downtown Fishers in the warmth and comfort of City Hall, located at 1 Municipal Drive, Fishers. Take a break from shopping and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, accompanied by live music from the local performing arts organization, Fishers Music Works. LEARN MORE.

Martinsville: Martinsville invites you to come and visit their local small businesses. Shop, eat, investigate all that they have to offer. Pick up a card at one of their 24+ participating businesses and receive punches at each business you visit. Visit at least 10 stops and your card will be entered into a drawing at the end of the day for some incredible prizes. LEARN MORE.

3. SUPPORT OUR ENTREPRENEURS

The Indy Chamber provides free one-on-one business coaching to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Indy Region. Check out these Small Business Saturday festivities and sales with some of our clients!

Homespun:

Homespun will have amazing swag bags full of handmade goodies from our vendors for the first 50 shoppers on Saturday, November 24th. Items must be purchased from Handmade Promenade to receive the complimentary swag bag. Come grab a juice or coffee on Mass Ave and form an orderly line outside the door and get ready to get some good free swag when they open at 10am! They will also be featuring their famous and free hot cocoa bar for the whole day (or until cocoa runs out!) CHECK IT OUT.

Plenty Lifestyle

For Small Business Saturday, Plenty Lifestyle is featuring artist Faith Blackwell Photography who has a new series “xo” that focuses on the strength of positive words and messages, Hugs & Kisses. Also, with every purchase on Saturday November 24th, you will receive popcorn from Just Pop In! CHECK IT OUT. 

Indiana City Brewing

Indy Art Mart is an art fair that will feature over 30 top Hoosier artists offering their creations to the public at a special Small Business Saturday event hosted by Indiana City Brewing and sponsored by Union Jack Pub Broad Ripple. Indiana City Brewing Company will be offering special, one-day only craft brews to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Local musicians will play throughout the day and Union Jack Pub Broad Ripple food truck will be on site to provide local fare. CHECK IT OUT.

Breathing Space Yoga

Please join us to shop local and independent artisans and vendors at Breathing Space on Small Business Saturday. Along with the pop-up shop with additional items perfect for your gift lists, we will offer sales on retail, bundles and more! CHECK IT OUT.

Sip N Share Wine

Sip & Share Winery produces handcrafted, small-batch, vegan wines we pour at home wine tastings, community and company events. Buy 1 Bottle, get 20% off the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... #happyholiday sale! CHECK IT OUT.

CMIT of Indianapolis South

In honor of Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, CMIT of Indianapolis south is extending their technical expertise to businesses in our community. Contact CMIT between November 24 - December 25 and receive 2 hours of complimentary tech support for new customers with offices of 5 or more PC’s. CHECK IT OUT.

Robinson Design Studio

Robinson Design Studio will be offering a free initial consultation and design for kitchens, bathrooms, and interiors (a value of $500.00). This is offered exclusively through BOI and the Indy Chamber, so CHECK IT OUT.

LifeSaversPlus LLC

LifeSaversPlus is offering a special this holiday season for Health & Safety Training classes, 25% off your first Full Service Class for Adult CPR/AED/FIRST AID or Adult & Pediatric CPR/AED/FIRST AID! (Minimum 4, Maximum 12 students) CHECK IT OUT

Want more shopping ideas? Check out the Indy Chamber Holiday List!

If You Are a Small Business Owner...

For many small business owners, the holiday season is a busy time of year. Check out the Small Business Association guides about how to prepare for Small Business Saturday and the Holidays:

• https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-initiatives/small-business-saturday
• 6 Ways to Maximize Your Return on Sponsoring or Hosting Holiday Events
• 7 Holiday Marketing Tips on a Limited Budget
• 5 Ways to Market Your Business for the Holiday Season
• Start Now to Plan Your Holiday Retail Marketing Campaign
• How to Market Your Business with an Event
• 33 Creative Ideas for Small Business Holiday Marketing
• 6 Good Reasons to Start your Holiday Marketing Plan Now

Still looking for assistance? Meet with a BOI Business Coach for a free-on-one coaching session to talk through your holiday plans.