The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth Celebrates ‘Small but MIGHTY Business Week’ — Presented by First Seacoast Bank 

PORTSMOUTH— It’s National Small Business Week (May 4–10) — a time to honor the hardworking entrepreneurs who drive innovation, create jobs, and bring life to our local communities. Here on the Seacoast, the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth is turning up the energy with Small but MIGHTY Business Week, proudly presented by First Seacoast Bank! 

Throughout the week, we’re shining a well-deserved spotlight on the bold, resilient, and community-focused small businesses that make Portsmouth and the Seacoast region thrive. Whether it’s the corner café that remembers your order, the creative studio fueling local art, or the trusted tradesperson keeping homes running smoothly — these small businesses make a mighty impact. 

Small but MIGHTY Business Week kicks off alongside the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week, which recognizes the vital contributions of small business owners across the country. More than half of all Americans either own or work for a small business — and those businesses create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. In New Hampshire, over 97% of all businesses have fewer than 20 employees, making small businesses a backbone of the Granite State’s economy. According to a Small Business Economic Impact Study by American Express, for every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents stays in the local community, helping to fund wages, operations, and additional economic activity. 

Locally, programs like the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Small Business Technical Assistance Program (SBTAP) support these enterprises by helping ensure compliance with environmental regulations and promoting safe, sustainable business practices — helping New Hampshire businesses remain both competitive and community-minded. 

“As we celebrate our 135th anniversary, we can’t help but to pause and reflect on just how proud we are of our local roots and longstanding commitment to the Seacoast,” said Sharlee Daye, AVP and Portsmouth Branch Manager at First Seacoast Bank. “At First Seacoast Bank, we believe that success is shared — and so today, we celebrate all of the small businesses who help make the Seacoast such a vibrant place to call home!” 

Nominate a Small but MIGHTY Business! 

As part of the celebration, we invite community members to nominate a business that embodies the spirit of small but mighty. Let’s lift up the innovators, the hustlers, and the hometown heroes who make our region exceptional. 
👉 Submit your nomination here 

How to Celebrate 

You can support Small Business Week by shopping locally, dining at independent restaurants and cafés, spending time on main streets and at farmers markets, sharing your favorite small businesses on social media, and leaving positive reviews online.