Small Business Saturday

If you have grown up in the US you are well aware of what I call the consumer related holidays,

Holidays that were invented to give consumers REASONS to buy cards, gifts...

BLACK FRIDAY was one of those days, so named by the shopping frenzy that takes place the day after Thanksgiving.

 The resulting sales were hoped to get the company "in the black" from a accounting standpoint.  This was a marketing gimmick that has resulted in billions of dollars in the big business market.

If your like me, your pretty tired of the big corporations clammoring for all your hard earned money with little in return.  This year you may have heard of SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY  This is a terrific way to support the small local businesses, restaurants, and services you love and who do not have access to "bail out money" to help survive these crazy economic times.

These are wonderful opportunities to look toward your local art community for your entertainment and gift giving solutions.

Check out these recommendations I have for your gift giving:

WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 
THAT GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY:

 SOL Physical Therapy        

5297A College Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
P: (510) 547-1630  

Purchase gift certificates for Personal Training sessions, Pilate's, Massages. This state of the art facility and staff has something special for EVERYONE!  Weekend warriors to Olympic / Professional athletes.
One session at this clinic and you will see why it's winning awards year after year as the BEST place for performance and rehabilitative care.

La Peluqueria Hair Salon - Patricia Lewis

1600 Shattuck Ave,  Berkeley, CA 94709

510-601-0102

• I have been a client here for YEARS, Patricia is AMAZING!! 

Purchase Hair cut, color, waxing appointments / gift certificates.

Tierra Tech Corporation Lucy Perry  Owner                                

Web design, quality assurance, business support svc. 

If you have been holding off on getting a "real" website or support services Tierra Tech is the best!

Blue Water Ventures:  

Kim Powell, Owner                   

 Santa Cruz, CA 

During the holiday months trying to figure out what to do with

the family?  Call or email Kim she can put together a very affordable fun event (in locations here and all  over the world!!!) that everyone will be asking for!  OR buy gift certificates for later in the year!


Caryne Mount- Zesty Scraps
Designer- Zesty Scraps and so much more, Caryne designed two outfits for me for the Grammy awards, she's done costumes for the Diablo Valley Ballet Nutcracker.
This season she is offering super affordable fun bags, that are perfect for yoga, the studio, or shopping!  (email her she can send you pics)
AND you can commission her to do just about anything that involves a needle and thread and she is a genius!

OTHER BUSINESSES  I RECOMMEND YOU SUPPORT

My sponsors are here:  NOTE: when you click on the links in my website and you get bigger savings!

INDIE ARTISTS


Giving CD's is always a easy inexpensive gift.  This year I suggest  you  book these artists for a upcoming living room concert!  it is very easy and affordable!

Jason Cale:  (Amazing emerging artist, producer you will be hearing alot of, toured w/ John Popper, Doobie Bros and more, big bands to acoustic he can cover it all!)

Savannah Jo Lack  (Amazing Award winning artist who you have heard on Alanis Morrisette, Rod Stewart, and many Nashville artists who are too many to name! Catch her while you can she is JUST back from her Australian Tour)

Coyote Grace  Americana harmony based duo fresh back from tours w/ the Indigo Girls & Girlyman, one of my very favs! )

Ruth Gerson (You have seen her in your living room on Conan, Letterman, and Craig Ferguson Shows, one of the biggest hearts and voices around!).

When contacting these artists and businesses make sure and let them know I recommend you! (it helps manage our small business more effectively when we know where our business is coming from!)


Please post your comments after you have experienced these incredible businesses, & artists let me know your thoughts!  


And know that buy supporting local artists your are helping support local communities!
what a wonderful gift that is for us all!


Happy giving and receiving, 


=Tamra=


Providing business solutions for creative minds
www.tamraengle.com

References:  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)

http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/975919/HOST-A-HOUSE-CONCERT
http://www.bluewaterventures.com
http://www.solpt.com/
www.reverbnation.com/jasoncale
http://www.savannahjolack.com/
www.coyotegrace.com
www.ruthgerson.com
http://caryne.snappages.com/home.htm