Small business Saturday brings local businesses together during the holiday season
Small business Saturday brings local businesses together during the holiday seasonVirginia, Minn. is one of many small towns that supports Small Business Saturday, which is held once a year to encourage shopping at local businesses and keep more money in the community. This first began in 2010 and since has grown tremendously and has been supported by everyone from mayors to the President of the United States. President and CEO of the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce, Jaimie Niska, said “It is our goal to not only push Small Business Saturday, which kicked off this month, but to continue to encourage shoppers to shop small and shop locally throughout the year.”
Bringing Santa’s reindeer to southern Minnesota
In southern Minnesota, every year during the months of November and December, John Block of Johmar Farms, takes his six reindeer from town to town giving sleigh rides. Not only does he have reindeer, but he has horses that pull wagons and donkeys for nativity scenes. On the Dec. 3, Block took his team to Red Wing, Minnesota and brought in 10,000 additional people desiring to see the animals and a lighted parade.
The ‘Growing Rural Business’ eight-week entrepreneur program
In Scott City, Kansas, an eight-week entrepreneurial certificate program course was held during the months of November and December. Twenty-two people looking to grow their new and old businesses, attended the program and claimed it was definitely worth the investment of their time. Growing Rural Businesses offered many entrepreneurs tips on marketing a business, financial management, online businesses and legal matters as well. The course covered practically everything in building a business, as well as maintaining it and developing it to its full potential.