News Summary
Charleston, SC, is hosting Small Business Week from May 4 to May 10 with numerous events and discounts to support local businesses. Over 130 small businesses are participating, offering special promotions and engaging activities. An interactive map has been created to guide residents and visitors, while the Aiken Chamber of Commerce showcases strong member participation at the recent Small Business Day event in Columbia. While highlighting the importance of small businesses to the local economy, Charleston also prepares for the fifth Annual Small Business Opportunity Exposition, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship.
Charleston, SC – Charleston is celebrating Small Business Week from Sunday, May 4, to Saturday, May 10, with a host of events, discounts, and community engagement activities aimed at highlighting the importance of local businesses. Over 130 small businesses from the Lowcountry region are participating in this initiative, which seeks to foster community support and spotlight entrepreneurs.
As part of the celebration, an interactive map has been created to guide residents and visitors to exclusive deals and events throughout the week. Notable offers include a 20% discount at PrimaCrochetbyJK and an “All You Can Eat Pancakes” event at Early Bird Diner for just $8 on Friday. These promotions are designed to encourage local shopping and increase visibility for participating businesses, reflecting the city’s commitment to supporting its small business community.
In addition to local initiatives, members of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce are making their presence known at the state level. Approximately 30 members recently traveled to Columbia for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Day event on April 29. The Aiken Chamber had the largest group in attendance, a testament to strong member engagement, with about 85% of its members consisting of small businesses with 10 or fewer employees.
This year’s Small Business Day featured speeches from key political figures including Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Senate President Thomas Alexander, and House Speaker Murrell Smith Jr. Discussions at the event centered around significant topics such as tort reform and upcoming changes to income tax policies. Evette highlighted the challenges faced by small business owners and stressed the necessity for supportive and informed leadership to guide them through these hurdles.
As part of the day’s activities, a proclamation declaring April 29 as Small Business Day in South Carolina was read. Chamber members also participated in panel discussions with state lawmakers focused on legislation relevant to small businesses, gaining valuable insights from presentations by economist Joey Von Nesson and Cheryl Richards, CEO of Catapult Employers Association.
Charleston will also host the fifth Annual Small Business Opportunity Exposition, providing valuable resources and networking opportunities for small business owners. Over 500 business owners have already signed up to attend the expo, scheduled for Tuesday at the Gaillard Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature 50 exhibitors along with various workshops aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with tools for success. Participants will also have the chance to meet representatives from local resource partners and the Mayor of Charleston, William Cogswell.
The City of Charleston recognizes small businesses as the heart of the local economy and is dedicated to fostering their growth. American Express has played a significant role in promoting small businesses through initiatives like Small Business Saturday, created in 2010 to encourage shopping at local establishments. Reports indicate that 99% of businesses in South Carolina fall into the small business category.
Furthermore, American Express has developed a charitable aspect to its initiatives, pledging donations to hurricane relief efforts with each purchase made by card members on Small Business Saturday. Many local business owners involved in the Shop and Stroll event, which took place on Market Street, also contributed to charity through their product sales.
The Shop and Stroll event showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of Charleston, featuring live music, food trucks, and interactive stations that engaged the community. Shoppers expressed appreciation for the opportunity to support local creators, seeking out authentic and meaningful items to take home.
Overall, Charleston’s Small Business Week presents a robust opportunity for community engagement, while also emphasizing the crucial role small businesses play in the local economy. The collective efforts of initiatives organized both at the local and state levels underscore a strong commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial landscape throughout South Carolina.
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Additional Resources
- CHS Today: Small Business Week in Charleston
- Post and Courier: Aiken Chamber’s Small Business Day
- WSAZ: Small Business Person of the Year Honored
- ABC News 4: Amex Marks 15 Years of Small Business Saturday
- Charleston Business: Experiential Retail and Small Business
- Wikipedia: Small Business
- Google Search: Small Business Support
- Google Scholar: Small Business Economy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Business
- Google News: Small Business Initiatives
