More than half of small business owners expect Small Business Saturday to impact their holiday sales significantly this year, according to a recent American Express survey. With Small Business Saturday approaching, now is the perfect time for small business owners to prepare for the holiday rush and encourage customers to shop small. As mentors to America's small businesses, SCORE offers support through free expert business counseling and online resources – including these top tips to navigate the busy holiday season. Last year alone, SCORE volunteers provided nearly 4.6 million hours of critical, timely mentoring and education to small business owners who needed help navigating funding options, finding customers, responding to economic challenges and adapting daily operations. Mentoring is always free and SCORE has mentors with extensive experience in the retail and food industries to guide entrepreneurs through seasonal highs and lows.