This Sunday kicks off seven days of honoring US small businesses and entrepreneurs. Since its start in 1963, National Small Business Week has celebrated small businesses for helping to grow the economy, create jobs and foster innovation.

This year, like years past, we are proud sponsors of National Small Business Week and will be joining the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a few in-person and online events throughout the week. We are looking forward to meeting small businesses from around the country and offering tools, resources and networking opportunities to help grow their businesses. Here’s what we’ll be up to and how you can get involved.

Our Boost Your Business program is coming to four cities in Texas next week. Join us in-person for a day of networking with your community leaders, small business experts and other local business owners, where you’ll learn how to take your business to the next level with Facebook and Instagram. Next week’s events are in Corpus Christi on May 2, Houston on May 3, San Antonio on May 5 and College Station on May 6.

Teams from across Facebook and Instagram, including the Creative Shop and Blueprint team, will be celebrating National Small Business Week next week at our sold-out event in Ponce City Market. Businesses will enjoy an afternoon “off,” filled with hands-on activities, learning and inspiration. Sessions will focus on Facebook and Instagram marketing, including how to create great video content, how to grow your business using Instagram and how to use Messenger for your business.

Throughout the week Facebook’s Vice President of small business, Dan Levy, and Instagram’s Chief Operating Officer, Marne Levine, will share tips to the SBA’s Facebook Page on growing your small business via social media and on mobile. Check the Page each day to read their tips for entrepreneurs.

You can also follow the event hashtag #DreamSmallBiz to keep up with what’s happening at National Small Business Week and use it to share what you love about being a small business owner.

“The part I love most about being a small business owner is the potential for growth. This growth is not only in income, but more importantly in the number of people I can provide value to and improvements to their lives.” - Jeremy Howie, CEO, Enlightened Marketing, LLC

“The thing I love the most about owning a small business is the flexibility to shape and grow it in whatever way I think is best. The ability to create a plan, then quickly adapt and change as needed is such an important part of owning a small business and it’s the most exhilarating part for me.” - Jim Donio, Chief Strategist, Toy Market

We hope to see you in person or online next week. If we don’t, catch us at one of our Boost Your Business events this year to learn more about Facebook marketing. Or, take your learning into your own hands with our online elearning program, Blueprint.