Today is dedicated to small businesses, and this year is the 5th anniversary of the UN Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day.
South Africa (27 June 2022) – The United Nations declared that the 27th of June is Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day. South Africa is home to hundreds of thousands of small-scale businesses along with an informal business sector. South Africa boasts a society of entrepreneurs and innovators, and here we call these businesses SMMEs.
The United Nations General Assembly designated 27 June as “Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day” (A/RES/71/279) to raise awareness of the tremendous contributions of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
MSMEs account for 90% of businesses, 60 to 70% of employment and 50% of GDP worldwide. As the backbone of societies everywhere, they contribute to local and national economies and to sustaining livelihoods, in particular among the working poor, women, youth, and groups in vulnerable situations.
This year, the UN is encouraging people to invest in small businesses. There are many ways we can support SMMEs in South Africa. The first is to purchase the products or services advertised by your local businesses.
If your budget is tight, but you still want to support a small business, all you need is your voice and your social media account.
The world pays influencers billions to talk about great products, and sure we love hearing it, but we are more likely to support something if someone we know has had a good experience. For small businesses that don’t have influencer budgets, you can be their cheerleaders.
Like their posts, leave comments on their content, share the content that you love with your social media friends and if you have made a purchase, leave an honest review of your experience.
This actually goes a very long way for a small business just starting out. We have seen it many times right here on Good Things Guy; someone shares an honest review, and the next moment, the business is being sent new leads left, right, and centre.
So to all you small businesses, happy Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day. May you be blessed with many loyal customers and filled bank accounts.