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:

1. Total Payroll: Add up all wages you’ve paid in the past year, including your own take-home pay.
2. Local Vendor Spending: Calculate how much money you’ve spent with local vendors like accountants, attorneys, or suppliers.
3. 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

• Sign Up For Pink Friday 2024
• Share the #ShopSmallFirst Map
• 2025 Boutique Boss Planner 

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:

• 
  What to Do When No One Buys: Pricing, Pitching & Pivoting
  What if sales didn’t have to be about being pushy or intimidating, but instead about solving problems and making life better? Join us as we explore this concept with our guest, Andee Hart, who transformed her corporate sales expertise into a flourishing candle business during the pandemic. Andee’s inspiring journey is a masterclass in differentiation and tenacity, from how she successfully stood out in a crowded market to how she scaled her business to hundreds of boutiques.
• 
  Top 10 Mistakes Retailers Make (And How Retail Bootcamp Helps You Avoid Them)
  Running a boutique business can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—adventures. Whether you’re just starting your boutique or you’ve been in business for years, it’s easy to fall into common traps that hold your growth back. The good news? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own either. That’s where Retail Bootcamp comes in. This proven boutique coaching program is designed to help boutique owners like you grow smarter, more profitably, and with a clear plan in place.
• 
  Slow Sales? Ask These 5 Why’s Before You Panic
  Is your cash flow feeling tight but you’re still not paying yourself? In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Sara breaks down one of the most common retail traps: tying up cash in things that don’t bring you a return. From unnecessary trips to market to unused apps, pretty packaging, and impulse inventory buys, these hidden money leaks could be holding your business (and paycheck!) back.