After the turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie, the mashed potatoes gravy and cranberry sauce woooooooo! — then it’s time for the REAL holiday weekend action to begin. The shopping till you drop. The waking up at 2 am to stand in line at **insert store here.** The running around town to get the perfect present on your list. There are three major shopping events coming up super soon, and which one you choose to participate in entirely depends on what you’re trying to buy, and what your general demeanor is.
If you’re able to deal with large, crazy crowds and looking for big ticket items, I suggest you put yourself through Black Friday. If you’ve ever done it you know it’s not fun, but if you’re looking for big ticket electronics, furniture items, or high end home goods, it’s worth it to wake up early and get in line. But be forewarned — it’s always best to do your research and know what you’re looking for on Black Friday. It’s not a time to amble through the aisles or try things on. It’s a time to run in, grab your item before anyone else does, and get home before traffic becomes too crazy.
Cyber Monday is GREAT for Christmas shopping and shopping for yourself — for me it’s all about the clothes, and there are amazing deals on clothes and shoes and beauty items online for Cyber Monday. PLUS you can have your items gift wrapped and automatically shipped to your family and friends, so WIN!
This year I’m super excited to participate in Small Business Saturday — click here to like them on Facebook! a relatively new initative meant to support local businesses and build both the economy and the community. I am SO GEEKED. Small Business Saturday is in its second year, and you can click here to “Pledge to Shop Small” on Nov 26th. American Express is supporting the initiative, and yours truly was sent a special gift card to find cool, only in Chicago items at my favorite local shops.
There’s a handy guide to specially selected small businesses on the Shop Small Facebook page — the direct link for Chicago’s businesses selected by super cool magazine Paper can be found here! There are some AMAZING local boutiques and restaurants and niche stores on the Paper list — shoutout to Greer Chicago!! One of my favorite local blogs, Chitown Fashionista, also came up with a great list of local suggestions — check out her list on Chicago Like a Local!
I too, have a list of Chicago small businesses I plan to support on Small Business Saturday!
I plan to head out to Michigan Avenue south of Roosevelt — there’s a super cool sneaker boutique called Succezz that has a great selection and decent prices on kicks. Nearby there’s a boutique called House of Sole that I need to check out – there’s always cute stuff in their window and recently when I asked a woman on the street about her adorable hat, she told me she’d bought it there.
Succezz the store - pretty cool, no?
It’s definitely knitwear and scarf season, and I adore the cowls and circle scarves made by Ladieloops — her boutique is in a big, awesome building at 2150 S. Canalport that is home to MANY up and coming designers, artists, hairstylists and makeup artists — definitely a great place to wander through and support on Small Business Saturday!
I have this Ladieloops scarf and I love it!
I definitely plan to head out to Andersonville to Presence, a cool boutique that sells everything from clothing to accessories to cool gift items like notebooks and stationary and random stuff you didn’t know you needed (but totally did).
Cool beaded clutches at Presence!
There are some amazing Chicago-based jewelers, so while I explore boutiques, I’ll keep my eye out for unique pieces by Jasmin Mitchell, Kreative Soul by Pilar, Jules or K Fleye.
LOVE this Jasmin Mitchell Jewelry necklace!
And before I call it a day I’ll stop by Three Peas Art Lounge for a cocktail and a cupcake, and see if I can squeeze in a manicure at my fave salon The Nail Social.
That’s how I plan to spend Small Business Saturday, thanks to American Express! What about you? Do you like the idea? Which small businesses do you plan to support?
And if YOU own a small business, please feel free to shout yourself out in the comments!!
Thanks so much Bella! You’re awesome! xoxoxo
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Afrobella,
Thanks so much for the small business love! LadieLoops is my heart and I appreciate you sharing her with your readers.
This post and the whole concept of a speacial day to support Small Businesses across America is very positive and should reap many benefits. Happy Thanksgiving and may all enjoy not only the Day but the shopping days after!
Thanks so much for shouting out us little guys! We appreciate the homegrown support<3
K Fleye is my sister aakofii’s friend I think! I think I met her before too! For awesome jewelry you can also check out my sister’s website: http://www.aakofii.com
Also the Huffington Post lists 35 black owned etsy vendors to shop with here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/24/35-black-owned-etsy-store_n_1111474.html
I’ll definitely check out your recommendations.. I got my eyes on oyinhandmade.com right now 😉
I want to thank you for bringing my attention to Small Business Saturday. This is my first time hearing about it. Although, I have to admit my family and I have recently made a tradition of the “After Christmas” sales. The prices are rock bottom because they know everyone is pretty much tapped out, and my brother and I are all grown up so we don’t need gifts neatly wrapped by “Santa” on Christmas day.
Thank you for highlighting small business saturday!
I love your website! It is full of beautiful inspiring tips and suggestions! Thank you so very much! I really appreciate it!
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The following are the benefits that you have to be aware of the most.
A lot of people have small business ideas that
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Banner ads typically include graphics and text which
entice Internet users to click on the advertisement.
You can know all the ins and outs of business and can run a restaurant without fail; but would you know the first thing about installing the kitchen grills.
Typically, this works well if we are involved in a solid networking and
we reciprocate, by referring clients to those other businesses.
Yet, there are grants that are made for equipment and training.
If, on the other hand, you are not successful in paying your loans back, you are going to develop
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Yet, there are grants that are made for equipment and training.
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Typically, this works well if we are involved in a
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A lot of people have small business ideas that they
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Typically, this works well if we are involved in a solid networking and we reciprocate, by referring clients to those other businesses.
Banner ads typically include graphics and text which entice
Internet users to clkck on the advertisement.
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Banner ads typically include graphics and text which entice
Internet users to click on the advertisement. A lot of people have
small business ideas that they often fail to put into practice either because they lack
the money to make an investment or because the fear to lose everything.
Typically, this works well if we are involved in a solid networking and we
reciprocate, by referring clients to those other businesses.
Starting a small business with no money may sound impossible but there are ways to kick off a very profitable business without ever spending a single dime of your own money.
With good habit and savings, you can be assured of having enough to start your own business.
Clients do not look no matter whether you’ve a small or
big budgeted communication service.
The following are the benefits that you have to be aware of the most.
When job offers do come and I’ll admit, some companies may fear hiring you because they
fear a former owner being an employee, negotiate the best salary you can along with the
best benefits you can for you and your family.
Clients do not look no matter whether you’ve a small or big budgeted
communication service.
Starting a small business with no money may sound impossible
but there are ways to kick off a very profitable business without ever spending a single dime
of your own money. You can know all the ins and outs of
business and can run a restaurant without
fail; but would you know the first thing about installing the kitchen grills.
Two: Increase in income – When you are able to increase your traffic to the business, you will easily be able to also increase your income.
Yet, there are grants that are made for equipment
and training. You can know all the ins and outs of business and can run a restaurant without fail; but would
you know the first thing about installing the kitchen grills.
For clients, you can target neighborhoods, communities
or even companies.
If you’re educated (or seeking an education) you will
probably find a ton of opportunity in a small town. Make the process pain-free with debt collection software for a small business
that automates this tedious process and adds to your
company’s bottom line. Always choose a new account, and look for a specialized bank whenever possible.
Look into their years of experience in managing small business accounts so that you can get professional advice on various financial matters.
A lot of people have small business ideas that they often fail to
put into practice either because they lack
the money to make an investment or because the fear to lose
everything. Always choose a new account, and look for
a specialized bank whenever possible.
Then send the postcard to all of the addresses in your area, and try to draw customers in. You can know
all the ins and outs of business and can run a restaurant without fail; but would you know the first thing about installing the kitchen grills.
What you give away doesn’t have to
be costly, but it must be valuable.
Or, perhaps you’re one of those students who desires a
challenge, or even a good addition to your résumé for Grad school.
A lot of people have small business ideas that they often fail to
put into practice either because they lack the money to make an investment
or because the fear to lose everything. Clients do not look no matter
whether you’ve a small or big budgeted communication service.