by Rick Griffin
Saturday, Nov. 30, has been declared as “Small Business Saturday,” a day to support local small businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Americans are encouraged to support small businesses by doing some of their holiday shopping on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at small businesses. The day is sandwiched between Black Friday, the post-Thanksgiving event where shoppers swarm the malls to begin their seasonal shopping in earnest, and Cyber Monday, the day following the long weekend when online retailers see upticks in sales. Sponsors of Small Business Saturday include American Express Co. and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small businesses generate two out of every three net new jobs created and employ more than half of all private sector employees.