Celebrating Local Businesses in West Central Minnesota this Small Business Saturday and Entrepreneurship Month: Featuring Blissful A Boutique

This Small Business Saturday and National Entrepreneurship Month, the team at West Central Economic Development Alliance would like to give a shout out to all of the small businesses and entrepreneurs in West Central Minnesota! We are immensely grateful for the good cheer that they bring to our communities as well as the positive impact they make on the local economies. Join us in recognizing local businesses and entrepreneurs this Small Business Saturday — November 25th — and throughout November for National Entrepreneurship Month. 

Highlighting Resources for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs 

Innovation is the name of the game, and as entrepreneurs, they see the problems, find solutions, and create answers. An example we all can relate to is Karl Benz. He saw the problem of people walking, found a solution for mobile transportation, and created the first car. Decades later, Henry Ford saw the problem of car demand, found a solution to mass production, and made the assembly line to manufacture multiple cars at a time. Centuries after Karl Benz’s first vehicle, when people grow weary from walking, they call a rideshare or request a pickup from a friend or family member. Vehicle innovation has now morphed into electric cars. Entrepreneurs are heroes. 

November is National Entrepreneurship Month. What started as a day in 2010, turned into a month-long celebration thanks to the deserving recognition of the tireless efforts entrepreneurs consistently endure.

Then there’s Small Business Saturday, which takes place annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving when people are saying their “thank yous” and in the giving spirit. American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010 to encourage consumers to shop small during the holiday season. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has cosponsored the celebration since 2011 which has grown into a movement supporting small businesses. 

We recommend that West Central Minnesota-based entrepreneurs and small businesses look into these resources provided by American Express and tips from Shopify as a marketing guide for Small Business Saturday. 

Blissful A Boutique Brings Joy to West Central Minnesota Residents

Rachel Ament — owner of Blissful A Boutique — opened her storefront in Wadena, Minnesota this past May. Prior to the opening, the online store had been in business since the beginning of 2022 operating out of Ament’s basement.

Growing up, Ament had always told people that she wanted to own her own business, but she wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to do yet. It wasn’t until after having her first baby in 2021 that she decided to start selling clothing.

“As my body changed with the baby, I started finding my own style and clothing that made me feel good,” Ament said. “You don’t have to keep wearing the same clothes from high school.”

The online store grew slowly, as Ament had the time to work on it. Now, with the addition of a storefront, she is following her dream.

“After having that feeling, I wanted to share and help other women feel good in whatever they decide to wear,” she said. “Women deserve that!”

Blissful A Boutique offers a neutral-based style of clothing, along with a touch of boho that earns Ament a lot of compliments. Her customer base consists of a wide range of women with unique personalities. She hopes her customers will find something they truly love and feel confident and beautiful in, and also strives to help them stay current in fashion and trends.

“A lot of women struggle with self confidence and I want to be here to help with that. I want everyone who walks in my door to feel welcomed and a sense of happiness,” Ament continued. “Come as you! We are here to help and style you.”

Blissful A Boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Stop in to check it out, and no doubt you will be greeted with open arms as soon as you walk through the door.

Small Businesses and Economic Success

In November of last year, American Express reported the results of its 2022 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey. The study found that Small Business Saturday drove approximately $17.9 billion in sales in 2022 and that $0.68 of every dollar spent at a U.S. small business stays within the local area. Not only do small businesses strengthen local economies, but they also generated 63 percent of new jobs from 1995 to 2021.

This year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 25th, and we hope that residents of West Central Minnesota consider showing their support and shopping local! This meaningful day can act as an excuse to treat yourself at some of your favorite local mom-and-pop shops, independent retailers, restaurants, cafes, and service providers while giving back at the same time.

We deeply appreciate all of the wonderful small businesses in West Central Minnesota! We invite residents to shop local this Small Business Saturday and whenever you can.

We Can Assist Your Small Business in West Central Minnesota!

At the West Central Economic Development Alliance, we are forever in awe of the small businesses and entrepreneurs that make up the communities in our region. If you are planning to start a business in the area, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and resources that will help your business flourish. Our team can be reached at (218) 837-5950 or wceda@wcta.net.