6 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Small Business Week 2025

1. Shop Local—and Spread the Word

The simplest way to support small businesses is to shop with them regularly, not just during Small Business Week. Go a step further by:

Sharing your experience on social media and tagging the business
Writing positive online reviews on Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor
Buying gift cards for future use or gifts
Telling friends and family about your favorite local spots

Pro tip: Create a "Shop Local Challenge" for yourself or your workplace—see if you can stick to shopping small for the week.

2. Attend Local Small Business Week 2025 Events

Many cities host community events, pop-up markets, and educational workshops during Small Business Week 2025. These gatherings offer great networking opportunities for business owners and fun ways for consumers to engage directly.

Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or city's economic development office
Bring friends to a neighborhood crawl or independent maker market
Participate in small business webinars or roundtables
Consider supporting veteran-owned businesses by searching the Veteran Owned Business Directory

If you're a business owner, consider collaborating on a cross-promotion or hosting an event to drive foot traffic.

3. Donate Your Skills or Time

Not everyone can shop, but everyone can support. Offer your talents:

Graphic design, web development, or marketing support
Business coaching or mentoring through SCORE or SBA programs
Volunteering for community business events or fundraisers

If you're a fellow entrepreneur, reach out to a new or struggling small business and ask, "How can I help?"

4. Advocate for Pro-Small Business Policies

Your voice can make a difference beyond your wallet:

Advocate for local zoning laws, small business grants, or reduced permitting barriers
Write to your local representatives about issues affecting small businesses
Attend city council meetings to support small business-friendly initiatives

Advocacy can help create long-term sustainability for entrepreneurs—and healthier local economies.

5. Celebrate the Entrepreneurs in Your Life

Know someone running a small business? Use Small Business Week as a time to show some love:

Leave a testimonial
Give them a shoutout online
Refer them to friends or colleagues

It costs nothing to encourage someone who's working to keep their dream alive.

6. Educate and Inspire Others

Share stats, stories, and articles about the importance of small businesses:

Post infographics or quotes during Small Business Week 2025 or throughout Small Business Month
Share "why I love this business" stories
Teach kids or students about entrepreneurship
Host a lunch-and-learn at work on "how to support small businesses"

The more people understand the real impact of shopping small, the more likely they are to do it.