Before the doors open, before the first sale is made, before the lights flicker on in shops across Pensacola, there’s a decision that happens quietly and repeatedly.
The decision to keep going.
Small business ownership isn’t a single leap of faith; it’s a series of them.
It’s choosing to believe in an idea on the days when it feels effortless, and on the days when it doesn’t. It’s carrying responsibility that doesn’t clock out at 5 p.m. and finding the strength to show up even when the weight feels a little heavy.
During National Small Business Week (May 3–9), Local Pulse Pensacola and Florida Blue are celebrating the storefronts, the products, and the experiences that the Pensacola community enjoys.
We want to honor the people behind them who are building something meaningful for our community.
Small businesses may feel personal, but their impact is anything but small. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses make up 99.9% of all businesses in the United States and employ nearly half of the American workforce.
In Florida, those numbers are even more meaningful, with millions of jobs tied directly to small, locally owned companies.
Here in Pensacola, that translates to vibrant downtown streets, neighborhood hubs, and a local economy that thrives on relationships.
“Small businesses are the heartbeat of Pensacola,” says Mayor D.C. Reeves. “They create jobs, bring character to our neighborhoods, and build the kind of community you can’t replicate without them. When we support local businesses, we’re not just strengthening our economy, we’re investing in the people and the stories that make Pensacola feel like home.”
Every purchase made at a small business doesn’t just support a product; it supports a dream that required a whole lot of courage to begin.
The Part We Don’t Always See
Behind the perfectly curated shelves and polished social media posts, there’s a reality most customers never fully witness.
Owning a small business can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be physically and mentally demanding, with the inability to truly “turn it off.”
According to Hong Potomski, Market President for Northwest Florida with Florida Blue, this is where she would like to see the conversation expand.
“Small business owners are some of the most resilient people I know,” she shares. “But resilience doesn’t mean they don’t feel the pressure. It means they keep showing up anyway.”
Hong sees firsthand how the demands of entrepreneurship can impact health, everything from stress and sleep to long-term wellness.
“There’s a real mental load that comes with being responsible for not just your livelihood, but often your employees’ livelihoods too,” she says. “Taking care of your health, both physical and mental, isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.”
And yet, like many things in small business ownership, it’s often the first thing to fall to the bottom of the list.
Her advice? Start small. Take the walk. Schedule the appointment. Ask for help. Build a support system the same way you’ve built your business, with intention.
Because a healthy business starts with a healthy owner.
When Hong talks about small businesses, it’s not just from a professional lens; it’s personal. Like many of us, she has her go-to spots across Pensacola. The places she returns to are not just for what they sell, but for how they make her feel.
Here are a few of her favorites:
Like so many in our community, she has her go-to spots across Pensacola, the ones that feel familiar the moment she walks through the door. They’re not just places she visits, but places she connects with.
You’ll often find her starting a Saturday morning at Dog House, easing into the weekend with a delicious breakfast before a stroll through downtown.
When it’s time to slow down and invest in a little self-care, she trusts Luxe Lash Haus to help her feel her best.
For those moments worth celebrating or treating herself, Jewelers Trade Shop is her go-to, a place where meaningful pieces carry stories of her life and how she celebrates it.
And when she’s searching for something thoughtful and local, Renfroe’s Pecan Company offers gifts that feel rooted in the spirit of the Gulf Coast.
Then there are the evenings. Hong says they are best spent unwinding at The Rooftop Pensacola where a good sunset has a way of reminding her again why she loves this city so much.
Each of these places represents more than what they offer. They reflect the people behind them, the care they put into their craft, and the role they play in shaping the rhythm of Pensacola. And every time Hong walks through their doors, she’s not just a customer, she’s part of their story as they are a part of hers.
Hong believes that each time she makes a purchase, she is part of the crowd that helps ensure that these businesses will be here for the long term.
She also shared that Small Business Week isn’t about grand gestures all the time, and she makes sure that she and her team make the small gestures each day.
Choosing local, leaving a positive review, sharing with a friend, following them on their social accounts, and showing up at their doorstep are all part of the small gestures with big impact.
Because behind every small business is someone who chose to take a chance on an idea, and then kept choosing it, day after day.
This week, we celebrate them for many reasons and thank them for making this city feel like ours.
