Adobe Spark and Square come together to help small businesses go big this holiday season
It’s hard to believe, but the 2020 holiday shopping season has already begun. After a challenging year navigating the uncharted waters of the pandemic, the holidays represent a bright spot on the horizon for small businesses — not to mention ample opportunity to attract new customers.
This year, Adobe Analytics predicts a massive surge in online sales, and better yet, the holiday rush comes at a time when 66 percent of shoppers say they are eager to support smaller, local shops. So, with only a couple of weeks left to ‘deck the halls,’ how will you make sure your small business stands out?
Adobe Spark and Square are teaming up to help you do just that.
First, we’ve offered three deserving small businesses — Communitē Table (Oakland, CA), Shambhala Yoga & Dance (Brooklyn, NY), and MudFire Pottery Studio (Decatur, GA) — a holiday marketing boost. We’ve paired each with a local designer to bring a fresh look to their brand materials, from websites to logos to social media feeds, and put the power of Spark in their hands so they can continue to stand out on social. We’ve also helped each business digitalize their shops with Square Online and QR codes so that e-commerce and safe, contactless payments are a breeze for their customers.
“Small businesses face incredible challenges during the best of times, but now more than ever we’ve been looking for ways to help them tell their stories and find their audience online,” says Veronica Belmont, product manager and evangelist, Adobe Spark. “We’re constantly trying to find news means to help these small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and side hustlers tap into our network of tools and resources to help stay connected to their customers. There’s no time better than the holiday season to not only give back to these amazing businesses, but help transform their brand along the way.”
“Small businesses are facing new and difficult challenges this year, with many looking for solutions to operate during this uncertain time,” said Lauren Weinberg, global head of marketing at Square. “We are excited to be teaming up with Adobe Spark to offer support to deserving small businesses this holiday season so they can pivot online to modernize their operations now and in the future.”
These simple upgrades can make a big difference when it comes to succeeding this holiday season. But we couldn’t just stop there.
Read on to learn more about each of the businesses we’re spotlighting this year, as well as how your small business can win a $10,000 holiday boost of your own.
Meet the businesses
Small businesses provide valuable assets to their communities and offer residents a chance to foster a deep connection with their neighborhood. Whether they’re offering locally grown meals, community-focused wellness programs, or creative crafts, these businesses have a place in building the soul of local communities.
Communitē Table is a neighborhood restaurant in the Laurel District of Oakland, CA, featuring seasonal American comfort food and locally sourced fare. Popular with local residents, the cafe offers customers delicious homestyle meals and treats for both dining in or takeout. Oakland-based design agency DKNG will work with Communitē Table to revamp its digital strategy.
Shambhala Yoga and Dance Center is a non-competitive, community-oriented movement and wellness space located in Brooklyn, NY. It has been a beloved part of the Prospect Heights neighborhood for over 18 years by maintaining an intentional community with high-quality instruction rooted in the philosophy of Hatha yoga. Brooklyn-based freelance designer Kalvinder Singh will be working with Shambhala Yoga & Dance for a digital refresh.
MudFire, based in Atlanta is more than a pottery studio, it is a community-focused home for makers. In 2013, co-owners Deanna and Daphne took over MudFire and have grown the studio, added date nights, and implemented a mentorship artist in residence program. Sarah Lawrence, an Atlanta-based designer, illustrator and strategist will be working with MudFire.
It’s not enough to give these three businesses a boost—that’s where you come in!
The Holiday Small Business Boost
Adobe Spark and Square want to give all small businesses around the country the boost they need this holiday season. That’s why we’re giving five small businesses a $10,000 media buy credit and a subscription to Adobe Spark Premium.
Entering is easy, all you have to do is:
- Sign up for a free two-month trial of Spark between November 13 and November 29
- Tell us what makes your business stand out this holiday season (in 250 words or less)
Please visit this link for step-by-step instructions on how to enter the Holiday Boost Challenge, as well as more information on the overall campaign.
Spark and Square stand behind the small business community and are committed to empowering the success of businesses everywhere – through the holiday season and for many years to come.