Today, Saturday, November 29th, is Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is a day for Americans to celebrate and support the small businesses in our communities. It is also a day to support your local tech-enabled small businesses. Did you know that we have Main Street Members all across the country? Below are 4 small tech-enabled businesses in a neighborhood near you!
Please join us this holiday season and SHOP SMALL!
Steve Douge, Hardware Sales Inc. from Ferndale, WA
The McClellan family started Hardware Sales, formerly Powder Sales, in 1962, specializing in sales of dynamite to loggers, miners, and road builders. In 1971, the owners expanded the business and moved across the street, changing the name to Hardware Sales. This family-owned and operated business became an integral part of its small Washington state community as the one-stop hardware store. Through the years, the business grew, gaining recognition by providing personalized customer service and fair prices. However, in 2007, the success of mainstream big box retailers forced the family to adapt to the changing retail landscape by opening a Hardware Sales Internet division. That’s when they brought in Steve Douge, who had experience in online sales, to run their Internet division. What started as an eBay only operation has now expanded to its own website. The company regularly gives back to the community through its work with the local Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as by donating tools and equipment to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit building projects.
John Stack, A City Discount, from Atlanta, GA
ACityDiscount was founded by John Stack’s father, Bill Stack, in 1973. The restaurant equipment and supplies businesses out thrived through the 70s and 80s when John Stack decided to commit full-time to the family business. In 1999, sales were falling fast as demand in their area decreased. John came up with the idea to expand his area of distribution by selling on the then up-and-coming website called eBay. The experiment took off and ACityDiscount was revived on thriving online sales. The nation-wide reach of sales was extremely successful and continued to grow until John was able to open a new warehouse/store-front property.
Tony Brocato, Fredrickson’s, from Sheffield, AL
Frederickson’s is a family owned and operated tire and appliance store, which first opened its doors in Sheffield, Alabama in 1946. Mr. Frederickson, the founder of the company, hired Tony’s father in 1961. Tony’s father worked his way up the company until he bought the business in 1978. Tony’s father expanded the company, going from just three employees to a 34 employee operation. Tony and his two brothers have both worked for the business since they were old enough to hold a broom. While Tony and his brothers have partly taken over ownership and day-to-day operations for the business, Tony’s father still owns the business and comes into work every day at the age of 79. In 2002, Tony saw the retail market was starting to shift to online commerce. He decided to start putting some of the products online and has since seen this small town family operation expand to a nationwide consumer base. He has been able to hire four additional employees to handle online sales. Tony also ensures that he and the business benefit the community in as many ways as possible. Frederickson’s regularly donates to local charities and organizations and always hires locally.
Wayne Johnson, Anglers Habitat, from Caldwell, ID
Wayne Johnson is the owner of Anglers Habitat, a fly fishing shop located in Caldwell, ID. Wayne has always had a passion for fly fishing and decided to turn that passion into a business. Expanding to online sales was accidental for Wayne. He put a couple of his own fly fishing rods up for sale on eBay and was shocked at the demand for his product. That’s when Wayne realized that he could grow and expand his traditional brick and mortar store through the Internet. Anglers Habitat could not possibly survive through walk-in traffic alone and that’s why Wayne has made a conscious decision to use the Internet as an avenue to keep his business steady year-round and reach a worldwide customer base.