About
Welcome to my quirky directory!
What is this about? I'll share my story. When I moved to San Antonio during the pandemic because of the impossible cost of living in San Diego, I was shocked by the number of restaurants and stores that were closing and by the concentration of wealth in one part of the city - the North. I learned about the effects of systemic redlining in the '30's that persist today, as well as the effects of gentrification and displacement. I was shocked by all I was learning. It is so important that everyone know this:
According to the San Antonio Small Business Assessment Report of 2020:
Hispanic and Black residents make up 60% and 9% of the population, respectively, but they only own 24% and 2% of all employer small businesses.
Other than the pricier neighborhoods on the North Side, poverty and inequity still closely mirror redlined neighborhoods that were labeled in the 1930s as “hazardous for lending” due to their make-up as communities of color.
Industries hardest hit by COVID-19 are overrepresented by Black-owned businesses, and Hispanic-owned businesses operate in industries that are impacted but surviving.
Business owners of color in San Antonio, facing a loss of community identity and commercial displacement, lack access and awareness to the services they need to survive, sustain, and scale their business.
In the U.S., over 30 million small businesses employ nearly half of the national workforce and create approximately two thirds of new jobs.
I decided to create a unique directory of diverse and inclusive small businesses that the entire city of San Antonio could support. I designed my logo to highlight the historic government sponsored 'Redlining' policy (red line at the top), the blue S represents a river of life bringing the North and South, East and West, together. The multi-rainbow colors obviously represent diversity and inclusivity.
I then formed an LLC to learn how to create my own small biz from scratch and hope I can help others who want to do the same to establish a legacy for their families.
I am a proud mother of two wonderful adult children. My son is enrolled in college and is an emerging professional actor, and my daughter works in Development at Pride San Diego. I am so very proud of them both!
I am a Partnered Business of Compassionate USA and of Charter for Compassion. Anyone can become a part of the movement by signing up and by
1) affirming the Charter for Compassion
2) Signing Up or Partnering with Compassionate USA.
There is no fee for small businesses to register basic listings in the SmallBizSA.com directory and we offer a $50 for 12 months Featured Listing option. Simply Click Here to register and to select the option that works best for you!
Thank you for visiting and I hope to find your listing request in my inbox shortly!
Warmest regards
Ann F. Horst
Thank you for supporting
Small Biz San Antonio!
Mission and Vision
Mission: Connect diverse and inclusive local small biz with shoppers who are committed to creating a just economy for all and a more compassionate community in San Antonio.
Vision: Devise an easily replicable directory template that other Compassionate Cities across the nation and around the world can add to their city websites.