"Small Business Saturday is a way for us to engage with our community and show people why it's important for us to have each other's backs. We’re here because we want to create jobs in our community, not just to sell items, because creating local employment is as important as having special places to shop and gather together."

Ali Rose of Flint, Mich.-based eyewear company Genusee, commenting in the American Express announcement, “American Express’ 12th Annual Small Business Saturday Reaches an All-Time High With an Estimated $23.3 Billion in U.S. Consumer Reported Spending”