Tomorrow is Canada's Small Business Saturday

TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - To celebrate the third annual Small Business Saturday tomorrow, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) asks Canadians to recognize the invaluable contributions of small businesses in their communities, by choosing to shop small. The initiative, which started out as a one-day event in 2012, has grown this year to include events throughout Small Business Week, including webinars for small business owners, the launch of the new My StartUp initiative, a Twitter contest and more.

"Today, Small Business Saturday is engaging Canadians like never before," said CFIB president Dan Kelly. "We had more than 1,600 tweets from Canadians sharing their favourite small business through our Twitter contest and we have more than 4,100 businesses reaching out to new customers through the shopsmallbiz.ca website. We knew Canadians loved their local small businesses, but we're seeing it go to a whole new level."

Easily the most popular of the events leading up to Small Business Saturday this year was the #MyFavSmallBiz contest, which resulted in a whole new group of consumers learning about some of the best kept secrets in their towns and cities. And just for sharing those gems, 26 tweeters each won a $500 shopping spree at their favourite small business.

"And small businesses can win too," added Kelly. "In fact, we will soon announce the grand prize winner of a professionally produced ad campaign for one lucky small business that got the biggest number of mentions in the contest. That business will be recognized as Canada's favourite small business."

While Small Business Saturday is a one-day event, it is part of a larger effort to support and promote small Canadian business year-round. Along with other events and promotion, CFIB has created shopsmallbiz.ca. It's a free, uniquely Canadian business directory, supported by CFIB and Interac, that connects Canadians with small, independently-owned businesses in their area. Small business owners can sign up for free at shopsmallbiz.ca to promote their products and services, and consumers can use it to look for a great deal that they know is also helping a small business in their community. 

Small Business Saturday is being recognized by political and business leaders across the country. "Tomorrow, I'll celebrate by visiting some of the terrific small businesses listed at shopsmallbiz.ca," added Kelly. "I hope all Canadians will do the same."

CFIB is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Independent Business

For more information or to arrange an interview with Dan Kelly, contact Aliya Ladha at 416 222-8022 or [email protected]