My TOP FOUR Small Businesses to Support this Holiday Season
With Black Friday behind us, we’ve probably all spent HELLA money at our “local” chain stores. While discounts and deals are great, I truly believe that nothing beats spending my money purchasing something from a small business. Small businesses are SO great! They are peoples dreams and desires spun with hours and hours and hours of hard work, sweat, and tears. The money we invest in small businesses goes directly to people and not giant corporations.
The last few years we’ve made lots of excuses (or I have at least) about why we can’t make more of our purchases at small businesses. As a sucker for a good “deal”, those $5 earrings at Forever 21 can seem so much more appealing than $20 earrings from your sister’s friend. My excuses have included, “it’s too expensive”, “I can’t find anyone that’s selling what I want” and “seriously they are going to make me pay for shipping?” YES Karen, you might have to pay for shipping! That average Joe, regular human just like you doesn’t have the manpower and millions of $ that Amazon does to send you your stuff for free. We also pay for Prime each year so it actually isn’t free… even though it sure feels like it!
I asked around to see what small businesses the folks in my sphere were loving, so I could share them with you! I’ve chosen some of my favorites, including ones that we are purchasing gifts from this holiday season. If you don’t see your favorite small business listed, please share it in the comments so others can hear about it! The following list is in no particular order.
STATEMENT CARDS
Statement Cards is “dedicated to celebrating women’s ambitions and milestones beyond marriage and motherhood”. How amazing is that?! Their current selection of cards celebrate paying off debt, raises, promotions, starting your own business, and moving into your own place. Join me in celebrating women for all they do besides marriage and having babies (not that those aren’t fantastic, too, we are just quick to acknowledge and celebrate them)!
Check them out on Instagram @statementcards or online HERE!
Forever & Hallways Design is a woman-owned business that specializes in creating custom signs and earrings for any occasion and place. Kristen, the owner and designer, created the welcome sign for our wedding back in September and it was gorgeous! She is extremely talented. We have purchased several pairs of earrings as Christmas gifts and definitely give the earrings a 10/10 for design and quality.
Check them out on Instagram @foreverandhallwaysdesign or on Facebook, HERE!
Y’all Anne Marie Photography was who we hired for our wedding and engagement photos and they are INCREDIBLE! We will pick them over and over again. Anne Marie Photography consists of a fantastic sister duo who shoot weddings, engagement pictures, senior pictures, and family sessions. A family session would be an amazing Christmas gift (or birthday gift!). One idea would be to give a family session as a gift from several folks to a well-deserving family you love! While they are based out of Minneapolis/St. Paul, they are very open to traveling for weddings or important gatherings!
Check them out on Instagram @annemariephotographymn or book a session on their website, HERE!
Emily at New Oceans Creative is extremely talented, creative, and fun! Not only does New Oceans Creative design amazing and unique websites, they also offer templates that small business owners can use to help with creating pins for Pinterest, eBooks, and offering freebies. Her templates are valuable and affordable, the perfect budget friendly gift for that entrepreneur or small business owner in your life!
Check them out on Instagram @newoceanscreative or online HERE and click TEMPLATE SHOP on the top navigation bar.
When you support small businesses, you not only have a real chance to know the people behind the products you buy, but you also simulate the local economy and allow yourself the opportunity to have a more personalized shopping and customer experience. Additionally, the businesses listed above are owned and operated by WOMEN! Woo!
Join me in purchasing gifts and items from friends and family, entrepreneurs in your area, and the small businesses listed above this holiday season!