APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
Have you been gearing up for Pink Friday? Or are you new to Pink Friday and want in on the fun? In this episode, I’ll be breaking down what Pink Friday is all about and giving you my best advice on how to get your business prepped for its best week all year.
The Impact of Shopping Small First
It’s here—Pink Friday Week! This annual event, celebrated the Friday before Black Friday, shines a spotlight on shopping small first. Born out of conversations at The Boutique Hub, Pink Friday was created to empower small business owners and inspire communities to support their local shops before heading to big-box stores for holiday shopping.
Here’s everything you need to know about Pink Friday and how you can make the most of this incredible opportunity.
Why Pink Friday?
While days like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday have their place, Pink Friday ensures that small businesses aren’t just an afterthought. On Small Business Saturday, shoppers often visit local stores after spending most of their budget at larger retailers. Pink Friday flips the script, encouraging customers to prioritize their local boutiques, coffee shops, and small businesses first.
This initiative is about more than boosting sales; it’s about celebrating the economic impact small businesses have on their communities.
The Impact of Shopping Small
When someone supports your business, their dollars stay in the local economy, multiplying their effect. Here’s a simple way to calculate your business’s economic impact:
- Total Payroll: Add up all wages you’ve paid in the past year, including your own take-home pay.
- Local Vendor Spending: Calculate how much money you’ve spent with local vendors like accountants, attorneys, or suppliers.
- Donations: Sum up any contributions—whether monetary, in-kind, or product donations—to local charities, shelters, or community events.
Add those figures together and multiply the total by seven. This multiplier represents how dollars recirculate through a community. For example, if you spend money at a local coffee shop, that shop supports its employees and other businesses, creating a ripple effect that strengthens your local economy.
Maximizing Pink Friday
Want to make the most of Pink Friday this year? Follow these tips:
1. Collaborate Locally
Partner with other small businesses to host pop-up events, cross-promotions, or giveaways. Whether it’s a local coffee shop, salon, or downtown association, teaming up can amplify your reach.
2. Share Your Story
Use social media, email newsletters, and in-store signage to share why your business matters to the community. Highlight your economic impact calculation and encourage your customers to see the difference they make when they shop small.
3. Build Media Relationships
Contact local newspapers, radio stations, or TV networks to pitch your Pink Friday story. Journalists are always looking for feel-good stories, and this is a perfect opportunity to spread awareness about the importance of shopping local.
4. Use Free Resources
The Boutique Hub offers free tools to help you prepare for Pink Friday, including graphics and a listing on the Shop the Best Boutiques map. This resource connects shoppers nationwide with participating small businesses, making it easier to shop local—even from afar.
5. Plan for Next Year
Take notes on what worked and what didn’t during this year’s event. Start brainstorming ways to enhance your celebrations for next year’s Pink Friday, happening the Friday before Black Friday.
Join the Movement
Pink Friday is more than a single day; it’s a celebration of community, collaboration, and the incredible power of small businesses. Let’s remind shoppers of the difference they make when they shop small first.
In This Episode
Let’s Connect #AskAshley
- Have a question or guest recommendation? Let us know your feedback directly here!
- Do you love the Boutique Chat Podcast?! Subscribe to our podcast and after that, leave us a review on iTunes Apple Podcasts here!
Must Have Resources
- The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
- 2025 Boutique Boss Planner
- Boutique Summit 2025
- Small Business Marketing Handbook
- Small Business Hiring Handbook
- Brand Owner Basics Masterclass
- Tradeshow Marketing Handbook
- 2024 Trade Show Calendar
- Boutique Hub Black
- Hubventory.com
Recent Posts:
- Five Minute Friday: A New Era of Retail Education: Inside Retail Bootcamp Accelerator
Feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re supposed to do to grow your boutique? Wondering how to turn information into actual implementation? Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks pull back the curtain on one of the BIGGEST changes inside the Boutique Hub: the launch of the Retail Boot Camp Accelerator. Built from years of working with… Read more: Five Minute Friday: A New Era of Retail Education: Inside Retail Bootcamp Accelerator - Retail Bootcamp Accelerator: Why We Reimagined Retail Coaching for Today’s Retailer
The pace of retail is changing. Faster trends. Faster technology. Faster shifts in customer behavior. And while information has never been more accessible, many retailers are finding themselves more overwhelmed than ever. For the past eight years, Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks have coached thousands of boutique owners through Retail Bootcamp. They’ve helped retailers navigate… Read more: Retail Bootcamp Accelerator: Why We Reimagined Retail Coaching for Today’s Retailer - #814: Retail Summer Strategy: Do This to GROW Your Boutique!Are you leaving money on the table during the summer slow season? June and July are the most underrated months in retail — and the smartest boutique owners use them to set up a record-breaking fall. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks break down exactly how to spend the “J months” wisely. They discuss how to… Read more: #814: Retail Summer Strategy: Do This to GROW Your Boutique!
