California Governor Gavin Newsom has called on residents to support local businesses as part of Small Business Saturday, emphasizing the importance of shopping locally to maintain neighborhood character and boost community economies. The initiative, which takes place during the holiday season, is intended to spotlight small retailers, restaurants, artisans, and service providers.
Governor Newsom stated: “Small businesses are central to California’s economic strength and cultural identity. They’re not just storefronts — they’re dreams, risks, and livelihoods. When Californians choose to shop local, we’re investing in our neighbors, in the character of our communities, and in the economic strength that makes California unique. It’s about strengthening the resilience and vibrancy of the places we call home.”
Small businesses make up more than 99.8% of all companies in California and employ nearly half of the state’s workforce. Minority-owned businesses represent almost 60% of these enterprises statewide. Collectively, small businesses contribute over $70 billion annually through exports—more than 42% of all exports from California.
The state supports its approximately 4.3 million small businesses through several programs administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Among these is SCALE (Success, Capital Access, and Leadership for Entrepreneurs), a program aimed at helping entrepreneurs—especially those from underserved backgrounds—access capital and resources needed for growth. Since its inception seven years ago, SCALE has helped create more than 84,000 jobs, supported nearly 14,000 new business launches, and facilitated over $2.9 billion in lending.
Another program led by CalOSBA is Accelerate CA. This initiative targets high-growth sectors such as biomanufacturing and sustainable energy by building a network of hubs across California and providing seed grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for startups within these hubs. In 2025 alone, Accelerate CA awarded over $2 million in investments.
To mark Small Business Saturday this year under its slogan “Supporting Small Strengthens Us All,” CalOSBA is sharing advice from business advisors involved with SCALE on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to help small retailers make the most out of holiday shopping.
Residents are encouraged this weekend to visit local shops or participate in community markets as a way to recognize small businesses that contribute creativity and opportunity throughout California.
