It’s only September, but it’s certainly not too early to be thinking about Small Business Saturday if you are in fact a small business.

Etsy, which gives many small businesses a marketplace to sell their goods, announced on Thursday that it is partnering with American Express OPEN and supporting the “Shop Small” movement. The company is encouraging shoppers and small businesses to “discover and showcase the local artisans in their communities” on Small Business Saturday.

“Both Etsy and American Express OPEN share a mission of supporting the growth and continued success of independent businesses because when small businesses succeed, their communities benefit,” says Etsy’s Rand Niederhoffer. “Small businesses account for 55% of all jobs and 54% of all sales in the US with 52% of consumers saying the primary reason they choose to shop at a small business is because they feel it is important to their neighborhood and community.”

“Small businesses across the country are encouraged to get involved by inviting a local Etsy designer to showcase their products at an in-store trunk show,” Niederhoffer adds. “Each participating small business will receive a Trunk Show activation kit that includes an Etsy gift card to assist with the cost of supplies for the event, as well as an American Express Shop Small Reward Card. Plus, one lucky business will win a boutique design refresh from Rue Magazine, courtesy of American Express.”

Etsy says the events provide its sellers with a way to get their products in front of customers in an offline retail setting, and small businesses that host can increase foot traffic.

More information on the initiative is here.

Image via Etsy