Today is Small Business Saturday, where shoppers are encouraged to bypass malls and big box stores to patronize shops and businesses in their local communities.

It’s sponsored by American Express, who started the event last year.  In a related program the credit card giant recently helped small business owners share the story of how and why they started their businesses, by helping them create a video.

Schroon Lake’s own Sharon Piper -- who co-owns the Schroon Lake Bed and Breakfast with her husband Mark -- shares their story about how they became inn-keepers.  The video is well worth a watch. Congrats Sharon and Mark.