PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Black Friday is a November highlight and the unofficial start for holiday shoppers to get the best deals. Since Small Business Saturday is right after, many local small businesses have said they're ready for the boom in sales. Whether it's food or service industry-based, mom-and-pop type shops say shoppers shouldn't overlook the smaller stores for one-of-a-kind gifts and deals.
Ma Cherie, a Black woman-owned boutique and salon in Perrysburg, supports shopping locally. The mother-daughter duo that runs the business, Cherie and Leona Webb, said this is the time of year when shoppers realize just how important it is to know where their dollar is going.
"When you are shopping at a small business, service-based, product-based, whatever it is, you are actually impacting a family," Cherie said.
Leona said another benefit of shopping locally is that smaller businesses can give more personalized attention and care to customers.
"We really want to also focus on educating our clients," Leona said. "That way, going through life, you can take better care of your nails."
She added that the salon will soon have more services available to customers, such as massages.
Cherie said that as a serial entrepreneur and mother, she wanted to show her daughters and son how owning the salon and a skincare line can be something you do not just for the betterment of the community, but a fulfilling career as well.
She also acknowledged that since tipping is a social expectation from customers for some of the services her business offers, "tipper fatigue" can be an issue, especially during the holiday season.
"Everyone is over it and I get that because I'm kind of over it too," Cherie said. "But, you know, this is a little something extra for you and your family and that's appreciated."
Data from Fundera, a subsidiary of Nerdwallet that provides financial resources, found small businesses typically generate $68 in local economic return for every $100 dollars spent within them. Additionally, these businesses on average donate 250% more than large businesses to community causes.
Leona said whether customers expect food, clothing, hair or nails from a local business, they also enjoy the kind and meaningful human interactions. She added that owners and employees at small businesses are typically people who genuinely want to get to know you.
"We're holding your hand for an hour," she said. "I think it's really important to get to know the person who's working on you."