Right now, there's a consumer 'blackout' movement afoot to, basically, stop buying stuff for the entirety of the Black Friday weekend from corporations.

This isn't just happening in the USA, but also in Canada, as a way to protest the current economic climate and policies that are making the wealthy wealthier and squeezing every penny out of the rest of us.

Don't forget, there's still active consumer protests against Target, Home Depot, and Amazon, among others, as well.

In other words, it may be a very good time to be a small business.

But, that doesn't mean this season is going to be easy.

Obviously, a lot of folks are struggling and even if they're not struggling now, they are concerned about what 2026 is going to throw their way.

While creativity is key to any holiday strategy, this year it's even more so.

Here are a few things I've seen small business owners doing this season that might be food for thought:

Paying It Forward:

• It's kind of the Bombas/Warby Parker model of buying yourself something and having a portion of the sale go directly toward helping others in the community with food or other necessities. There are plenty of variations on this theme, but it's amazing how effective it can be not just for the bottomline but for community engagement and good will. 'Tis the season of giving, after all.

Getting Protective:

• Rather than having folks stalk your site and your competition for the absolute best sale, you offer them an automatic refund of the difference if the price is lowered below their purchase price for an extended period, say 60 days. This provides them with the confidence they need to buy now rather than wasting time hunting down the best deal wherever they can find it and build lots of good will as well.

Locking It Down:

• While this isn't particularly new or just for the holidays, offering a way to lock in current or sale prices now for redemption later on never really goes out of style. It's another great way to incentivize purchase while minimizing risk and appeals to all types of customers—those who plan ahead, those who procrastinate, and those who love a good bargain.

Right now is also the perfect time to remind folks that quality is always a worthwhile investment and is the antithesis of the fast fashion, consumerism, and late stage capitalism practices perpetrated by a lot of those major corporations we're avoiding this holiday season and beyond.

Need some help with your holiday strategy? Good thing my 15th Anniversary gift is available until end of year. You can even buy now and use it in 2026. 😉
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Until next time, I wish you a very happy and prosperous holiday season.

PS -If you missed it, last month I advised you to Head for the Exit.
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"You gave me so much clarity and confidence about my mission, message, and how to market myself. And, in one conversation, you completely shifted my perception of my business." Neelu Kaur, Author, Speaker & Leadership Coach ​ Book YOUR Session Now & Save!

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