Baltimore District Office

Shop Small This Holiday Season

Leaves are turning, temperatures are falling, and to-do lists are growing. Our thoughts turn to family gatherings and holiday traditions. Its’ time to give thanks and celebrate one another and it’s the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for local entrepreneurs. Small businesses need our support more than ever. Skip the long lines at big box stores and head out on Small Business Saturday (November 26^th) to “shop small” and local.

Since 2011, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been a formal cosponsor of Small Business Saturday, founded by American Express in 2010. Last year, shoppers showed up to support their local communities, and Small Business Saturday hit a record high with an estimated $19.8 billion in reported spending.

Small businesses are vital to the Maryland economy. They are the cornerstones of our neighborhoods, provide jobs and give back to their communities. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy, small businesses account for 99.5% of all Maryland businesses and employ nearly half of the workforce in the state. To put it in perspective, for every $100 you spend at a locally owned business, roughly $68 stays in your local economy.

Many towns across the state are hosting special events, with retailers offering discounts and refreshments to draw consumers to Maryland’s main streets for a special shopping experience. Whether shopping in person or online, you’ll see that small businesses offer a wide variety of unique gifts and services, with unmatched customer service.  

Tis the season to be thankful and enjoy quality time & precious moments with family and friends. Show your thanks for small businesses who add so much to our communities and support them by shopping and dining “small” throughout the holiday season.

If you’re an entrepreneur in need of assistance, the SBA has programs that can help you start, grow, and manage your small business, including access to capital, free one-on-one counseling, free or low-cost training, and government contracting assistance. Learn more at sba.gov.

Best wishes for joyous and healthy holidays. Don’t forget to shop and dine “small” this holiday season and throughout the year. Happy shopping!

Stephen D. Umberger, District Director, SBA Baltimore

Baltimore Metro Women’s Business Center Hosts Open House

Click Here to Sign up Today

Don’t Delay…. Nominate Today! Deadline: Thurs., Dec. 8, 2022, 3pm The deadline to submit nominations in the 2023 Maryland Small Business Week Awards Program is quickly approaching. If you or someone you know has what it takes to become America’s “2023 Small Business Person of the Year,” the SBA wants to hear from you. Locally, the SBA Baltimore District Office is seeking nominees for the following categories: Small Business Person of the Year (National and District level), Small Business Exporter (National and District level), Minority Owned Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, Home Based Small Business, Family-Owned Small Business, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneurial Success, Rising Star Student Entrepreneur, Accountant Advocate, Attorney Advocate, Insurance Champion and Financial Services Champion. Visit www.sba.gov/nsbw to download forms, criteria, and guidelines for submitting a nomination. The Maryland Small Business Week Awards Program is open to US residents operating within the SBA Baltimore District Office service area covering the state of Maryland except for Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. All nominations must be submitted by electronic submission ONLY to the Baltimore District’s BOX account or access the link via the National Small Business Week website, www.sba.gov/nsbw, no later 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 8, 2022. For information, contact rachel.howard@sba.gov. To learn how the SBA can help you start or grow your small business, visit www.sba.gov/md.

Upcoming Webinars:

Click here for the full calendar of events and to reserve your spot for any of these informative sessions. Events are free; but registration is required. 

SBA Programs & Services 

Wednesday, November 30th @ 7pm

Intro to SBA 8a Business Development Program

Hosted by the BaltMetro & Maryland Capital Enterprises’ Women’s Business Centers

Thursday, December 1st @ 12Noon

SBA Programs & Services 

Thursday, December 8th @ 12Noon

SBA’s participation is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs or cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact (410) 962-6195.