FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11-23-11 600AM

John Kabateck, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business, California’s leading small-business association, is encouraging holiday shoppers to invest in their communities by shopping at small businesses the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving.

“Black Friday is when a lot of people get up early and line up outside the giant department stores, but if you’re looking for something unique and want to support your community, then you need to shop at small businesses, too,” Kabateck said. NFIB provides a list of small businesses offering special deals this weekend at www.nfib.com/shopsmall.

The busy holiday shopping season is especially critical to California’s small businesses, which are still struggling to rebound from the weak economy. State-specific data isn’t available, but according to NFIB’s most recent Small Business Optimism Index, the No. 1 problem facing small business last month remained “poor sales,” followed by government regulations and taxes. (Download the full report at www.nfib.com/sbetindex.)

“Small businesses are what drives California’s economy, and if we’re going to create jobs in this state, we need a healthy small-business community,” said Kabateck. “Small and independent business owners are among the most generous supporters of civic groups, local charities, youth sports, school activities and virtually every other form of community activity. Shopping locally is a way for people to help their friends and neighbors and create jobs and opportunities in our communities.”

NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 states. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through its unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system.

NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of its members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.nfib.com/newsroom.

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