ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - As you finish Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday and plot out your course of shopping, Missouri’s branch of the National Federation of Independent Business wants you to remember the little guys.

Brad Jones says supporting “mom and pop” operations shines a bright light on the small business community, “which is so incredibly important to our national and state economy.”

“In the state of Missouri, 77 percent of the total number of all businesses have less than ten employees,” he added. “Look at parts of downtown, Washington Avenue, the restaurants and the bars and the little things that have popped up. Small business really make that area attractive and people are coming again.”

Jones said he is frequently asked how small businesses compete with the big stores.

“Get back to what we’ve had in this country for the last few hundred years and it’s relationship selling, you go and buy things from your friends where you’ve had a good experience shopping.”

If Jones’ message hits home, you may want to skip the gray Thursday and Black Friday crowds and instead opt for Small Business Saturday this weekend.