It’s that awkward, yet magical, time of year when it’s after the holidays, but not yet the new year. The festivities have begun to wind down, but now you’re getting into gear for what the next year has to offer. I don’t set traditional new year resolutions, nor would I say I set specific target goals, but I do think about what I’d like to do more or less of the coming year. What things do I miss doing? What things do I want to start or stop? This can be anything from habits and hobbies to mindset and attitude.
This year, I want to share my passion and help you all toward supporting local and small businesses with these quick tips and shifts in habits that can have a large impact on the community.
1. Swap out your card buying from Hallmark.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Hallmark is fantastic (and a Kansas City-based company!) and they definitely serve a purpose. However, if you even swapped out just a few birthday cards a year to be from a local company, that’s already a big win. Not only would you be spending your money to support a small business, but this card would be more unique than what’s found in the card aisles at CVS, Target and so on. Plus, these cards don’t really have a price difference. Typically, a card from Hammerpress, Easy Tiger or Steel Petal Press can be $5 and under. Hallmark cards can range anywhere between $3 and $10! Of course, the more expensive cards are usually worth the price. But, you could be saving money, being more unique and supporting small all in one easy switch!
2. Explore your local farmers’ market.
This is so easy to do in the Spring and Summer months that it’s too easy for anyone to not miss. Mitch and I are avid farmers’ market advocates and goers. We try and go every week all year round, when the winter markets are going. Of course, I don’t expect anyone to be as dedicated as we are right away, but a simple switch from the grocery store to the farmers market just once a month or in the Spring/Summer months only is a huge step in the right direction. I can guarantee you that you will save money, because the produce and food isn’t marked up. You’ll be eating more fresh and seasonally, automatically consuming healthier foods without even hardly trying. And this is such a fun activity for the whole family that it gets everyone out of the house and romping around the neighborhood – how can you not!?
3. Opt for local items in the grocery store.
If it’s the winter months and you’re deciding to not hit up the farmers’ markets, your schedule didn’t work out to attend the market or you’re already shopping at the grocery store for other items, then choose to purchase locally sourced produce, meats and goods instead of your “typical” brand. Most grocery stores bring in some sort of local/regional items into their store. Whether it’s regional apples, locally sourced milk, or what-have-you, choosing these options over your standard lot is a quick and easy way to support small and not disrupt your routine.
4. Support that friend (of a friend of a friend) who makes.
Have a friend or two (and some strange acquaintances) on your Facebook feed who makes things? Decide to support them over a big box shop for a gift, or for your family + self. There are tons of people who are crafty at home and just starting out or who have been doing this for a while, and they’d appreciate your support over a Walmart cashier who could care less what you’re buying. There’s people who make salsa on my feed, baby blankets, headbands, glass ornaments, you name it. And it’s not just my biased, crafty-loving feed either – Mitch, my mom, my friends all have some people on FB that make. So, why not send them a message and ask how to purchase from them or get something made for an anniversary present, Secret Santa or baby shower gift?
5. Utilize Etsy (or Amazon Handmade).
Etsy is the single best thing ever for online shopping. Yes, better than Amazon Prime (which I have). You know why? Because you can find literally anything on there AND it’s all supporting a real person behind the product who made it. Sure, there are down falls with shipping sometimes, but that’s totally dependent on the shop you are buying from. Each person selling on Etsy can offer sales, discounts and deals, just like if they had their own shop. It’s a beautiful platform for those hustlin’ behind a unique handmade product to reach more than they ever could on their own. You can track shipping, read reviews, contact the maker with questions and most times you can get something that is custom. What’s not to like!
Amazon launched Handmade, their Etsy competitor, in 2015. I don’t really know much about it, other than that they are actual small business/makers selling their items on there, much like on the Etsy platform. This is smart of Amazon, being the savvy behemoth they are, but I’ll leave it up to you if you’re a supporter of them or not. Either way, it’s still nice to see a large platform providing access to the masses for small business and vice versa.
6. Go to craft fairs.
It’s literally that easy. Everyone has access to some sort of craft fair in their lives. Whether it be your kids’ annual high school weekend craft fair to raise money or indie + off-beat craft fairs you discover on Instagram, like me. With Facebook events, it has never been easier to discover what is going on in your area. I encourage everyone to go down a “click hole” of digging through events, especially during peak seasons (Spring, Fall + Holiday) to find out what craft or art fairs are going on. This is such a great activity for anyone – going solo, date day/night, family outing or “with the girls.” You are bound to find something you like for yourself or someone else and it’s such an easy way to discover new artists and support them. Plus, with technology and the adoption of Square and other POS systems, having to carry cash is rarely a concern anymore.
7. Opt for local coffee shops over Starbucks.
Again, I totally think there is a time and place for Starbucks – like airports, where you need to cater to the masses at a very fast pace. But, choosing your local coffee shop, either across the street or down a few blocks, is another simple way to change up where you put your money. Mitch and I have our favorite spots and usually choose to go further out of our way to get to them than the three Starbucks at every corner because a) the vibe is a lot better, b) less crowded, c) tastes better because it’s quality (with unique options) and d) costs the same anyways. If you’re used to hitting up the drive through, doing mobile ordering or something fancy like that, then you will need to adjust, but I promise you, it’s not a killer.
8. Challenge yourself to not get everything at Target.
Don’t be fooled by this, because of course I love Target, just like the next trendy person. But I do my due diligence to shop small and local vs. Target for everything. In the new year, I want you to challenge yourself to not get everything on your list at Target (or Walmart or wherever). Sure, you may need to get some things here, but what if you held off on getting that REALLY good smelling candle right then and there, and picked up locally made candles somewhere else? Or instead of buying any accessories (men and women) like hats, watches, jewelry, cool socks, etc. pick those up at any number of different local places around town. If you’re in Kansas City, I’ve started a whole directory to help ya out! Even if you did this just once a month, you’re making a great change and can keep on growing this habit. Not to mention, your items will less likely going out of style so fast and they’ll be higher quality too.
9. Challenge yourself to not rely on Amazon for everything.
Now, I know I just mentioned shopping on Amazon Handmade, but I’m talking about regular Amazon. You know, the one where you may or may not get a package from every other day (no shame, I’m there with ya). Amazon is clearly amazing for a lot of different reasons, in my opinion, but much like the Target point above, challenge yourself this year to buy just an ounce less off Amazon and get it somewhere local. All of the books you love to hoard on your wishlist? There’s a cool and funky local bookstore around town that I bet has them too. Or choose to go to that offbeat little grocery store on the corner you pass by every day to pick up some household goods like toilet paper, soap, etc. Little changes over time make large impacts.
10. Share and promote.
Finally, share and promote. I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s definitely worth saying again. If you can’t support monetarily (even if you can), sharing about small businesses you like or have come across, is the best thing you could ever do to support them. You are being genuine in sharing and that person behind that small business could never thank you enough. You’re allowing others within your bubble to now discover them, which they might not have before. I’m in advertising and know that word-of-mouth is still the single greatest way to get your message out there and that starts with actually sharing about it. Sure, I’m the queen of shopping small, but I can’t support every artist or business that I would like to. Even the ones I do support, I wish I could buy more from them. But, sharing what you already have done to support or what you want to support is the easiest and best way to support a small business.
I hope these little changes in your upcoming year are easy to adopt and maintain. I wasn’t always the “shop small queen,” but with one change after another, in baby steps, here I am today. I don’t expect everyone to turn out like me, although that’d be great. 😉 But, even just doing this for a few months in the new year, I hope your perspective is broaden to experience shopping small and spending local.