Small businesses essential to local economy

According to the Small Business Administration, 99 percent of all businesses in Nebraska are considered small businesses.

Those businesses are an important part of local economy, and don't want to be forgotten during holiday shopping season.

Legends Comics and Coffee is one of the thousands of small businesses in the state. Wendy Pivonka has been in business for about 11 years and said she tries to help other small businesses.

"Small business keeps more of the money local. I feel more money stays local. I like to work with more small business locally, like suppliers, as much as I can," she said.

Pivonka said small business is the backbone of the local community, and Elizabeth Yearwood with the Small Business Administration agreed.

"Because we're supporting the local economy, we're keeping money within the cities, we're keeping it local, we're supporting the small business owners, the mom and pops shops, the Main Street businesses. It's just really important to show our support," Yearwood said.

Katina Foster has owned Sweet Magnolia's Bake Shop for two years, and it has become a big part of the community in that time.

Foster said she believes small business gives communities something special.

"Small business gives your community something that nobody else has," she said.

Sarah Beth Balters agreed. She drives from Elkhorn to visit the shop.

"I just thin kit's great, even amongst all the other bakeries in town, I probably passed 12 other bakeries to get to this one but it's definitely worth it," she said.

Many small businesses are destination points, but they also provide jobs.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are more than 400,000 employees of small businesses in Nebraska.

Pivonka has two full-time and 15 part-time employees. She said it can be hard to attract those employees.

"It is tough to compete 'cause the large chains can offer higher wages, but we're lucky we get a more dedicated, loyal staff that stays with us," Pivonka said.

She hopes the community stays with them so they can continue to sell comics and support the local economy.