Small Business Month 2026 Toolkit
The month of May each year is designated as small business month! So, whether you’re a small business owner, or one of our resource partners, please use the materials below to promote this amazing time of year! We will also put these materials for download on our website at de.gov/smallbizmonth. The page will also include flyers for you to print and post at your locations.
Resources for Small Business Month
About National Small Business Week and Month
Each year, the month of May is set aside as a special time to celebrate small businesses, their courage, community efforts, and hard work. Within that, the first week in May is designated National Small Business Week, which this year is May 3 – 9, 2026! Take a look at activities and resources the Division of Small Business (DSB) and its partners have for small business owners:
- A small business month toolkit with email and newsletter content and social media graphics, and a flier! Spanish and Haitian-Creole versions coming soon!
- DSB is shouting out small businesses statewide in a variety of ways:
- Follow their social media channels for small business highlights on:
- Facebook: @DelawareSmallBusiness
- Instagram: @delawaresmallbusiness
- LinkedIn: @company/de-smallbusiness
- Small Business Showcases will be featured in our weekly newsletter! Not signed up yet? Go to business@delaware.gov and scroll to the bottom to sign up for the newsletter today!
- Small Business Week Events:
- May 4 – 8 – The Delaware Division of Industrial Affairs is hosting a virtual Small Business Bootcamp. Learn online at your own pace. A new module drops each day. Register at: Virtual Small Business Bootcamp.
- May 5 – 6 – Register for the US Small Business Administration’s 2-day Virtual Summit here: https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/virtual-summit. The Summit is open to established and aspiring business owners and will include educational presentations by industry experts, exhibit booths, free business resources, and business advice from America’s Small Business Development Centers.
- May 7 – DSB and its Delaware Tourism Office will host a tour of downtown Milford with Governor Meyer. Both Small Business Week and National Travel & Tourism Week are May 3 – 9.
- May 7 – Delaware SBA’s Statewide Small Business Awards
Ideas for Celebrating Small Business Month
Resources are from ondeck: https://www.ondeck.com/resources/celebrate-small-business-week
- Run Special Promotions and Offers – Attract new customers and reward loyal ones by offering exclusive discounts, limited-time offers or bundled deals during Small Business Month. For instance, consider creating a “buy one, get one free” offer or providing a discount to customers who refer friends to your business.
- Partner with Other Local Businesses – Collaborate with neighboring small businesses to create joint promotions or events. This partnership can expand your reach, attract diverse customer bases and foster a supportive business environment. For example, a local café and bookstore could team up to host a reading event with special discounts for attendees.
- Leverage Social Media – Utilize social media platforms to engage with your audience by sharing behind-the-scenes content, customer shout-outs and other interactive social media posts. Use hashtags like #SmallBusinessMonth to increase visibility. Consider running social media contests or giveaways to encourage user participation.
- Offer Customer Appreciation Perks – Show gratitude to your customers by providing special perks like loyalty rewards, gift cards, free samples or personalized thank-you notes. Acknowledging their support creates loyal customers and encourages repeat business.
- Host Community Events – Organizing events such as “Shop Local” open houses, workshops or networking gatherings. These local events can showcase your products or services and increase your visibility. For example, hosting a workshop on a topic related to your business can attract potential customers and establish your expertise in the field.
