I'm sure you hear it all the time. Shop Local! Support your mom and pop shops! Don't go to that big box store. Stop giving your money to Amazon and Walmart! I'm sure you also think to yourself, well, why should I? Amazon, Walmart, Target, Meijer, etc, have the best deals! They always have what I need! Plus I never have to wait for shipping! What can a local small business do for me that they can't? Let me tell you something. It's not just what that locally owned small business can do for you, but what you can do for THEM! When giving to those big box stores, you're just lining someone's pockets who already has a ton of money with even more money. I'm sure they've worked pretty hard for that money too. Good for them! But when supporting local small businesses, you are helping someone put food on their table. You're helping that single momma give her babies a great birthday party or a good Christmas that year. You're helping that dad fix the roof of his families house when something unexpected happens and he has to pull from his savings from those side jobs he does on the weekends. You're helping to pay for ballet lessons, for new shoes when the kids run through them too fast, for birthday cakes, and ice cream cones from the ice cream truck on those hot summer days. You're helping someone pay for that new suit/nice professional outfit that they may need to get a job so they can pay their rent. You're helping someone become more independent and have financial freedom in a relationship with someone who doesn't allow them to hold any of the money. You're helping someone keep their home when they thought they would end up being homeless. You're helping someone's sister/brother/mother/father/grandmother/grandfather provide for their family or their friends when they are in need of help. You're helping your local community grow and flourish. And in return, they are providing you with outstanding customer service. They're providing you with one of a kind products. They're taking the time to listen to your ideas and give you the absolute best product that they can to meet your needs. They're providing you with years and years of skill, learned from perfecting their craft and giving you the absolute best of themselves. They're giving you a little bit of their heart in each product that you buy, that they make with all the love and care that they can. This isn't some machine, pushing out mass products of the same things, This is someone putting their heart and soul into a business they are growing themselves, that they are proud of. That they wake up every single day, hoping to stay open to be able to provide more and more customers with quality products and to grow their business to maybe one day pass down to their children. I've worked for multiple small family ran businesses in my 30 years of life. One, I watched completely fall apart and it was devastating to everyone involved, owners, employees, and customer alike. They had many loyal customers who had used them for years but with big box stores taking over, the service they provided just wasn't in demand and sadly, they had to close their doors. Another, I've watched completely flourish! To the point of needing to expand their business into other locations! I, myself, run a small business. My photography not only allows me to provide for my two boys as a single mother, but also lets me capture so many memories and create so many life long friendships along the way. It has helped put food on my table, buy clothing for my children, and given them good christmases when I thought I wasn't going to be able to provide for them. My point is, it takes nothing for you to support your community and shop local. But it does mean EVERYTHING to those small businesses that you choose to support! Below, I've listed some local businesses that I support and that I know the owners of personally and I'm telling you each cent goes to something meaningful and helps them make their goals every month. Take a moment to check out their facebook page, Etsy shop or website! I'm sure you'll find something amazing to take home with you and I promise it will be made with love. I will be updating this list as I find more local businesses to support so please check back when you're able to! Loaded Jewelry (Custom made jewelry, she also makes custom paintings!) Crafty Mama Designed (Custom signs, cups, wreaths, shirts, pretty much anything you could think of!) Comfort and Co. (Custom shirts and boutique clothing, Tumblers, keychains, organizers and more!) Mama Llama Creations, LLC (Custom made Tumblers, hot cocoa bombs, and other sweet treats!) Fem Fat Fun (Custom shirts, and sweatshirts, she also sells lingerie at Fem.Fat.Fun.Friends!) InkHouse Apparel (Custom shirts, masks, baby onesies, beanies and more!) J Ray's Customs (Custom shirts, leggings, wall signs, home decor and more!) Steel Magnolia Boutique (Custom cups and tumbles!) Bailey's Scents (Custom candles!) Sarah's Styles (Amazing Hair stylist!)
1 Comment
11/5/2022 07:56:29 pm
Include put technology record fall. Often can impact bad.
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