What would the U.S. economy be without mom-and-pop-owned businesses? They create economic growth and provide almost 70 percent of all new jobs nationwide. That's why every March 29, National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day celebrates America's more than 27 million small family-owned businesses.

Place a call to a mom-and-pop-owned business, and, more than likely, a real live person will answer the phone. Personal communication and personalized service are the hallmarks of these businesses. That's because the owners spend countless hours nurturing and growing their young enterprises. The workload demands, and the lack of a hired staff, often translate into longer work hours and many missed family and personal events. Such is the burden of being one's own boss. But, when all is said and done, these small business owners love what they do.

Rick Segel founded National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day in honor of couples like his parents, who opened a small hat shop, simply called Ruth's, in March of 1939. With their love and hard work, that small shop expanded into a 10,000-square-foot clothing store with two million dollars of revenue when it finally closed in 1997. The Segels' story is not unique. Small family businesses have always been a vital, if not fully appreciated, part of the U.S. economy.

So, regardless of the date, celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day by visiting and supporting such businesses locally.

And be sure to read every issue of The Shopper, your hometown magazine, to learn more about mom-and-pop-owned businesses in your neck of the woods.