In a time where overwhelmingly negative information flows through our feeds on a constant basis it is up to us to be the change we would like to see in our communities. It’s not enough to gripe about how we need to support small businesses we actually have to do it and that is just one of the reasons I choose to shop small.
Read more about why I support small business owners like Desiree Verdejo and Dana Bly below.
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Small businesses have had an immediate impact on my life and because of that I will always put them first. As a woman of color with my own dreams and aspirations I feel honored when I can play a role in helping someone else’s dreams come true. Sure I could wait until a BOGO sale at a big box store to stock up on my favorite product from EDEN BodyWorks but I could also spend the full $7.99 after brunch at Angel of Harlem and support someone who is trying to make a change.
There are many benefits to supporting smaller businesses from directly engaging with the owner and receiving customized service to saving on shipping fees and sample sales. Small businesses are also notoriously appreciative. Just last night Vivrant Beauty held a public event encouraging their customers to get glam for the holidays with complimentary braids from Briogeo and manicures courtesy of Ginger & Liz, who were there to greet attendees. It wasn’t about catering to tastemakers and creating impressions it was about saying thank you to their clients and engaging on a personal level.
Related: GET LIKE ME: VIVRANT BEAUTY OWNER DESIREE VERDEJO
Small businesses also offer something unique and special. When I attended this season’s Holiday Curl Mixer the room was aflutter as the one of the hosts raffled off a travel mug from Pardon My Fro. This brand with no commercials or corporate backing had the ability to excite a room full of women who had found it via word of mouth through their quality and consistency. It was like some awesome secret we were all in on and it felt good to be in the know.
I’m not anti big businesses by any means. I still love strolling through the aisles of Sephora and sipping on my Starbucks on a lazy Sunday but I also love that the owner of my favorite pizzeria remembers my coming there after Saturday detention as a teen. You can’t recreate that kind of connection because it can only happen somewhere that’s committed to being a part of the community.
Related: GET LIKE ME: BED OF NAILS OWNER CANDICE IDEHEN
I’m not suggesting you put yourself through strife just to show love to your cousin’s brother’s nephew’s best friend’s co-worker’s Etsy page. I’m merely imploring you to you keep an open mind when you hear about a start-up. I get as starstruck as the next person but I can’t understand why we as a community often have to see someone get a cosign from a celebrity before we will deign to support them. There are plenty of small business owners with excellent products and services from Bed of Nails to Harlem Soap.
Being dismissive of the unfamiliar can cause us to lose out on wonderful experiences because at the end of the day small businesses aren’t asking for charity they’re asking for a chance just like many of us.
How do you support small businesses in your community? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media and you can show support this Sunday by attending ShopLoveBrownSugar!
Have you purchased your ticket to Shop LoveBrownSugar? Grab it below!
-Keyaira N. Boone