Small business runs in Florrie Gurnon's family.
Her sister owns an Italian restaurant in Connecticut, and her husband has helmed Braintree Lumber for 29 years. Gurnon herself owned a hair salon in Connecticut before temporarily retiring and then opening Bella Sei in Braintree Square.
This weekend marks Gurnon's second time experiencing Black Friday and Small Business Saturday as a retail owner. Her shop at 353 Washington St. sells custom gift baskets, plates, vases, clothing, signs with quotes like, "I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food," and much more.
"I have to like it," Gurnon said of her products. "There isn't anything in here I wouldn't buy for myself."
That kind of passion and attention to detail is what drives successful small businesses, Braintree Chamber of Commerce President Michael Wilcox said.
"You have that local decision-maker," he said.
Wilcox, Mayor Joseph Sullivan and town councilors Tom Bowes and Charles Kokoros stopped by Bella Sei Wednesday afternoon to call attention to locally-owned businesses ahead of Small Business Saturday.
The day was founded in 2010 by American Express to support small businesses across the country. The 28 million small businesses in the United States create two out of every three net new private sector jobs, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
"I don't think people realize what going into a small business, even a single small business, does for the economy," Gurnon said.
Her biggest challenge since opening Bella Sei in May 2012 has been finding quality gift items that can be priced comparably to products at national chains, which can purchase in greater bulk, driving down prices.
"It's a challenge all the time to find things in a price range that I can compete," Gurnon said.
Kokoros, owner of Braintree Cleaners on Grove Street, said he understands that difficulty, and it is why it is all the more important for residents to actively seek out small businesses.
"They are the heart and soul of the Braintree economy," Kokoros said.
Sullivan called out Bella Sei as a prime example of a thriving Braintree business, and one that he and his wife frequent.
"I have bought many an item here," the mayor said. "It's a beautiful shop."
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