Embedded Files
Shop Intentionally, Choose Equity
SmallBizSA.com is more than just an online directory—it's San Antonio's strategic tool for bridging the economic divide. We are a local-driven platform dedicated to supporting diverse and inclusive entrepreneurs who are often excluded from traditional capital and networks.
This mission is powered by our unique Equity Fund, where 80% of every donation is directly used to pay for Chamber of Commerce memberships or official Bexar County Certification fees for deserving small businesses.
Every interaction on our site promotes equity, ensuring local spending builds a more just and vibrant future for all of San Antonio. This is the essence of Shop Intentionally, Choose Equity.
Mission
Mission
As a mission-driven social enterprise, our mission is to empower diverse and inclusive small businesses in San Antonio. We do this by operating a platform that connects them with the community and by reinvesting a portion of our profits into a fund that helps cover their certification and Chamber of Commerce fees. This work is a direct effort to create a more equitable and compassionate local economy for all.
Vision
Vision
To become the leading model for a restorative economic ecosystem, with a mission to empower communities to dismantle systemic barriers to small business growth and create a blueprint for a more equitable economy that can be replicated for Compassionate Cities nationally and globally.
To understand how we fulfill this mission, I want to share the personal story that inspired this platform.
Our Story: Building an Equitable San Antonio
Our Story: Building an Equitable San Antonio
Welcome!
My journey to San Antonio during the pandemic opened my eyes to the persistent economic disparities in our city today. I started digging into the history and quickly learned about the lasting effects of systemic redlining, a policy that suppressed economic opportunity for communities of color and continues to influence today’s landscape.
The data is clear: industries hardest hit by COVID-19 were often overrepresented by Black-owned businesses. Business owners of color often lack the access and awareness of the services they need to survive and scale their businesses.
SmallBizSA is our direct response to these inequities, built on a two-part mission:
Visibility: We provide a valuable Inclusive Directory that elevates small, diverse, and inclusive businesses across the city, making it easy for the entire community to find and support them.
Investment: A core part of our model is to invest directly in our members. We use a portion of our revenue and donations to pay for professional certification fees and Chamber of Commerce memberships for the businesses we serve, helping them unlock larger contracts, build key relationships, and achieve lasting success.
I started this platform with the hope that I can help other entrepreneurs establish a legacy for their own families. I am so very proud of my two wonderful adult children, who are a daily inspiration for my work.
Welcome to our directory.
Together, we can build a better San Antonio.
Cheers,
Ann
Our Logo: A Symbol of San Antonio's Equitable Future
Our Logo: A Symbol of San Antonio's Equitable Future
Our logo is more than just an emblem; it's a visual manifesto for SmallBizSA.com and our commitment to a just San Antonio. Every element tells a part of our story:
Colors Representing Diversity & Inclusivity: The vibrant and varied colors woven throughout the design immediately communicate our dedication to celebrating the full spectrum of diverse entrepreneurs and inclusive communities across our city.
The Red of Redlining: The subtle but deliberate integration of red in the design serves as a powerful reminder of the historical injustices of redlining—economic policies that created and perpetuated division. It signifies our active role in bridging these divides and fostering equitable access for all.
The Octagon of San Antonio: The eight-sided shape forming the logo's core proudly represents the city of San Antonio itself. It symbolizes our local focus and the vibrant, multifaceted community we serve.
The blue 'S' for the River: Flowing through the center of the octagon, the prominent 'S' embodies the iconic San Antonio River. More than just a landmark, it symbolizes the lifeblood that connects our city, bringing all communities and businesses together in a shared current of economic opportunity and collective well-being.
Together, these elements powerfully illustrate our vision: to unify San Antonio's diverse communities, reverse historical inequities, and flow forward towards a more just and prosperous future. This is the essence of Shop Intentionally, Choose Equity.
Page updated
Report abuse