SHOP SMALL, SUPPORT ALWAYS

Once fallen leaves are replaced with twinkling lights, storefronts begin to sparkle too, beckoning holiday shoppers to spend their dollars locally. While many retail businesses—especially niche stores such as those selling games, toys, or hobbies—rely heavily on November and December for much of their yearly revenue, it's also crucial to explore ways small businesses can thrive throughout the entire year.

Retail partners like American Express know this which is why their well promoted “Shop Small Saturday” campaign encourages participating business owners to use the online business hub that includes discounts on business software, free social media posts, online educational content, and more.

In Georgia, state partners offer year-round support too. The Georgia Grown program promotes hundreds of Georgia businesses in stores and online, while the World Trade Center Savannah supports global trade through education and outreach.

Whether you’re setting up your own storefront for the season or shopping small, don’t forget to share these resources with the business owners you encounter. These and region-specific partners to support small businesses can be found year-round on GrowGeorgia.com.

SUCESS STORIES

MOXIETOWNS

From her home base in Roswell, Georgia, founder Monica Hagewood is on a mission to spotlight the unique charm of America's best small towns. Through her new website, MoxieTowns, she is bridging the gap between accidental discovery and intentional promotion, giving these communities the attention they deserve.

Hagewood's background in land planning and commercial real estate gave her a distinct perspective on how thoughtfully designed spaces foster community and business. She saw this magic formula at work in small towns across the country but noticed they were often hard to find. This insight sparked the vision for MoxieTowns, a platform dedicated to uncovering and celebrating these gems.

“Across Georgia and the U.S., there are small towns doing incredible work fostering human connection,” Hagewood explains. She wants to shine a spotlight on the elements that make these towns special.

Using a combination of data, local stories, and beautiful imagery, MoxieTowns curates profiles for towns with that special "moxie." The site already features nearly 30 towns, including several in Georgia like Canton, Clarkesville, Madison and Senoia. Hagewood’s passion project is just getting started, giving you a new way to discover the incredible small towns that make our state and nation thrive.

Discover what it means to have Moxie at growgeorgia.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE - ACCELERATE AUGUSTA

Accelerate Augusta stands as the premier accelerator and incubator fueling small business growth and entrepreneurial success across the Greater Augusta region.

The organization is committed to empowering entrepreneurs by providing vital access to expert-led programs, strategic mentorship, funding opportunities, and strong community partnerships proven to drive innovation, sustainability, and real economic impact.

Established through a collaboration between the Augusta Downtown Development Authority and Augusta Technical College, with the support of dedicated sponsors, Accelerate Augusta is where big ideas take root and thrive. Accelerate Augusta proudly serves not only Augusta but also surrounding communities in Aiken, Burke, Columbia and Richmond counties.

They aim to transform the region into one of Georgia’s hubs for thriving startups and small businesses, expanding opportunity and prosperity while building a more inclusive, innovative, and economically vibrant future. Check out their upcoming events at Accelerate Augusta.

GO GLOBAL IN 2026

Every November, millions of people in 200 countries come together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) — a moment when communities unite to champion aspiring entrepreneurs, new ideas, bold builders, and open doors to those interested in starting something of their own.

Launched in 2008, Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide event that encourages entrepreneurs and leaders to share ideas, collaborate, and highlight successful programs. This year, Brunswick joined GEW by promoting a student pitch competition, hosting a marketing vs. branding workshop, and more.

Don’t miss next year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. Get inspired and start planning for GEW26 at https://www.genglobal.org/.