Voice of Business Blog

Did you know that small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce and represent more than 40% of America’s GDP? At Greater Rochester Chamber, we're proud to support our region's small business community through business support, influence, and community connection. Over 80% of our membership is made up of small businesses, and in our company, success isn't solitary, so nobody has to go it alone. This holiday season, it's your turn to support this vital part of our regional economy and shared community on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025. Here are easy ways you can show up for Greater Rochester's economic drivers:

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 hundreds of 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

A 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 other small business owners

The right people connecting makes big things happen. The synergies in our community are our strength and allow for tremendous growth potential for not just individual companies but for our whole region. Our second annual Greater ROC Holiday Party on Thursday, December 11th is a great opportunity to meet other small business leaders, or join a Chamber CONNECT networking call in 2026 if you can’t join us in-person.

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

Progress only happens when everyone has a seat and a say. Minority-owned businesses have been disproportionately 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.

We show up for the region, with the region, and there's no better time to do so than this holiday season. For small business owners in our community, the US Chamber of Commerce has put together a guide with resources on how to capitalize on this economic opportunity.