Voice of Business Blog

Small businesses are the backbone of our community. We are proud to be the voice of business in the Greater Rochester region, a community made up of thriving small businesses in all sectors that power our regional growth and continue to drive innovation. Greater Rochester Chamber is proud to have a membership base that reflects this, with over 80% of our members being small businesses.

During the holiday season and all year round, it's important to support the small businesses and their teams that make Greater Rochester the vibrant region we know and love. Saturday, November 30, 2024 is Small Business Saturday. Greater Rochester Chamber is proud to support this holiday each year and share resources to help make the most of the holiday. Here are four ways you can support small businesses this Saturday and throughout the holiday season:

1. Browse the Greater Rochester Chamber member directory to find small businesses in the Greater Rochester region

Greater Rochester Chamber’s 1,300 members include companies of all sizes, including many small businesses throughout the nine-county region. Search our member directory or browse by industry to find a small business you can support personally or at work.

2. Promote local small businesses on social media

Another free way to support local small businesses is by sharing your favorites on social media. Your voice can be just as loud as your dollars in supporting small businesses this holiday season. Let your networks know what your favorite small businesses are on social media so they support them as well. If you do, be sure to tag #ShopSmall, #SmallBizSat, and Greater Rochester Chamber so we can see and help spread the word too! You can also leave a review for your favorite small businesses on Google, Facebook, or Yelp. The US Chamber of Commerce has created a toolkit of sample posts and graphics, or share photos of your favorite eye-catching products and stores.

3. Build your relationships with with other small business owners

Creating opportunities for small businesses to connect with other business leaders is part of Greater Rochester Chamber’s mission all year long, and we hope you take advantage of our opportunities this Small Business Saturday. The synergies in our community are our strength and allow for tremendous growth potential for not just individual companies but for our whole region. The first annual Greater ROC Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 11th is a great opportunity to meet other small business leaders, or join a Chamber CONNECT networking call in 2025 if you can’t join us in-person. 

4. Find minority-owned businesses in the community to support

Minority-owned businesses have been disproportionally affected by challenges throughout our history as a region and country. We can all get involved to help support these vital organizations in our cultures and in our communities. Find a list of Black-owned businesses in Rochester on BOB Rochester's website and see more local veteran, women, and minority-owned businesses in the Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 Awards magazine. 

For small businesses looking to make the most of the holiday, our partners at the US Chamber of Commerce have compiled resources on how to get ready for and capitalize on Small Business Saturday and increased consumer spending during the holiday season to grow your small business. Learn more here: https://www.uschamber.com/co/small-business-saturday