Hayley Goodman is the fifth generation of her family to own and operate Goodman’s Department Store in the small Colorado mountain town of Pagosa Springs. Established in 1899, Goodman’s is among the oldest continuously run stores this side of the Mississippi — and its fate rests squarely on Hayley’s shoulders.
Small business is the heartbeat of southwest Colorado. Although we do have some chains here and a couple more on their way, the main road in town is lined with small businesses, independently owned by those who have grown up at 7,200 feet and those who are gutsy enough to move here and give it their all.
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| Downtown Pagosa Springs, Colorado |
Hayley is different from her great-great-grandparents for obvious reasons (like her store’s presence on Twitter and Facebook), but even one conversation with Hayley reveals the required similarities: her work ethic and her view of community. When asked in public why Hayley looks familiar, I have witnessed her calm response: “I work at Goodman’s,” she says — not “I own Goodman’s.”
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| Hayley Goodman |
But Hayley has much to be proud of, and odds are good you will see Hayley when you stop in at Goodman’s, because small-business owners are hands-on, in their businesses and in their communities.
Goodman’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, not only because of tradition but also out of respect for employees and their families.
“We are closed on Thanksgiving. It’s a day for family,” Hayley said.
However, Hayley’s store will be open this Friday and Saturday, typical of the holiday rush.
Between the traditional Black Friday and modern Cyber Monday is a relative newcomer on the holiday shopping scene: Small Business Saturday.
2013 is Small Business Saturday’s fourth year. It was introduced in 2010 by American Express — which is not what comes to mind when you picture a small business. Instead of taking away from the goal, the contrast supports the sentiment: Small business is important to everyone.
AmEx, for its part, offers free advertising resources for small businesses for The Big Day. It promotes ways to connect for ideas and help on its “shop small” Facebook and Twitter pages, features notable campaigns, provides printed Small Business Saturday signage, and has created social media templates.
Lest this appear too corporate because of AmEx’s involvement, take a peek at U.S. Small Business Administration’s page dedicated to the initiative. Here, small-business owners can take advantage of Web chats, marketing materials, and preparations for holidays.
While parts of America are caught up in the throes of Black Friday, let small businesses re-energize you with their innovation and great customer service; they are, after all, your neighbors. These stores are the underdogs — underdogs that are pillars of our economy, serving locals and tourists, employing people with families, striving to bolster their communities, and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs.
When you shop at small businesses (and you can use the hashtag #ShopSmall on Twitter to share where you’re doing this and to find places to do it), your money stays in those communities. It goes to local salaries, local revenue, local improvements.
The portion of U.S. Highway 160 that runs through Pagosa Springs has a few names: San Juan Street, Pagosa Street, and Main Street. Without Pagosa’s small businesses, it’s just a highway — there is no Goodman’s, no Hayley, no personality, no community.
So this weekend, as you decorate your homes and shop for loved ones, shop small, with the merchants who love their work.
