Tennessee Small Businesses Join Forces To Encourage Consumers to Shop Small This Holiday Season

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nov. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Now that the holiday and Christmas season is upon us, you'll no doubt be looking for the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Small business owners Wendy and Rick Navarro, founders of Shop Main Street Tennessee (http://www.shopmainstreettennessee.com), reached out to their fellow small business owners recently to find out what they wanted and needed most for their businesses this season.  The most important thing they discovered was that small business owners struggle with marketing their business while managing the day to day operations. “Many were frustrated at the high price of marketing and minimal results or were overwhelmed by social media,” Wendy notes.  "It seems like they really wanted a place to turn, a community of sorts with fellow small businesses."

Inspired by the feedback they received the Navarros made the decision to use their experiences and expertise to support and help small, local businesses in Tennessee and founded Shop Main Street Tennessee in September 2014.  Through Shop Main Street Tennessee, the Navarros share their favorite small business finds; from eateries to shops and events, home grown Tennessee products, hand-crafted creations and everything in between.  In addition, they launched their first Tennessee Small Businesses Holiday Catalog in November 2014 giving small businesses a budget friendly way to co-promote their business just in time for the Holidays.

“Through word-of- mouth and co-promoting, small businesses can reach thousands of more consumers who are already craving the uniqueness and unique qualities small businesses offer,” said Wendy. “According to Statista.com, facebook users between the ages of 18-54, a target consumer demographic, have an average of 1506 friends.  That’s huge when you consider how many will re-post something they like to their page; and that’s not even including all of the other social media platforms consumers use like Twitter, Pinterest etc. In just the short period of time that Shop Main Street Tennessee has been live, we estimate that over 400,000 people have now been introduced to the small businesses we’ve written about,” added Wendy.

By managing the details of the catalog for their fellow small businesses, Wendy and Rick were able to put together a Holiday Catalog that showcases local gems and hidden treasures that have remained undiscovered by many. Through social sharing and co-promoting these businesses are not only gaining more exposure than ever, but they are also creating a strong small business community.  “We are on a mission to celebrate, support and bring awareness and recognition to small businesses throughout Tennessee.  To highlight their uniqueness and unique qualities, to tell their stories.  To encourage Tennesseans to shop and celebrate the distinctiveness small businesses bring to their communities and that they can proudly claim and call their own,” ended Wendy.

NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: Wendy Navarro is available for interviews. Contact Wendy at (931) 300-2575.

- See more at: http://www.shopmainstreettennessee.com/2014/11/15/2014-holiday-catalog-shop-tennessee-small-businesses-christmas/