For the sake of shopping small
One of the best things you can do for your local community is to support the businesses in it.
I’m quite tired of supporting brands that do not adhere to sustainable practices or working conditions for their employed and I know I am not alone in this. When the capsule wardrobe came on the trend scene, I was all for it. It was only a matter of time before every company and their mother claimed to be a sustainable brand, reduce waste in the landfills to help our planet, and promote prosperous working conditions for the makers.
That narrative lasted all of about 2 seconds before it coming to light that many of those companies were lying. As a consumer, I am exhausted by trying to do the right thing but also enjoying the clothes that I wear and own. Clothing rental options are certainly a viable option these days but for those of us who cannot afford to dish out $100 minimum consistently each month and want clothes that stand the test of time over years, there is a much better option.
Small stores in your community
And this doesn’t just apply to clothing. Think home goods, books, plants, ceramics, etc. Why should Jeff Bezos get one more of our dollars? Amazon is certainly convenient and we’re all human to their business model, but just like fast fashion- rapid shipping of material goods gets old real fast and then before we know it, we are donating it or throwing it away or trying to sell it in a garage sale.
When you shop small, you can be thoughtful about what you purchase versus a click of a button. You get to know the owner of the store, who pours their heart and soul into their products, whether they source them with local artists, grow them locally, or curate a thrifted look that I personally would never be able to find in a Goodwill.
You get to wear something one of a kind that everyone will be asking about and no one will be able to easily copy. You can take advantage of repotting services at your local plant store or get the perfect next genre recommendation from a cozy bookseller.
Our small stores need us. Amazon and the big box stores are not going anywhere anytime soon. We are at a risk of losing the vitality of our downtowns and our community when small shops cannot compete with the rapid trends and internet one-click ads.
Ways I love to support my favorite stores, because let’s face it, nothing is better than getting the best vibes walking into the cutest boutique.
Subscribe to their newsletters. Nothing feels better than feeling like a VIP and hearing about all of the deals first before the public.
Attend an event they may host. I am not sure about your city, but mine is thriving with small business partnering together. Is a plant shop supplying drinks from the local distillery? Is the book store hosting a book club at your favorite flower farm? Or even doing yoga at a clothing boutique. Events are such a fun way to bring the community together & try something new.
Looking for a trendy new look or want to get the best smelling candle? Maybe search around at some of your favorite stores before heading Target. I purchased my first four plants from my favorite local plant store in Indianapolis and knew nothing about plants. The sales associate could not have been more helpful and my plants are actually thriving (with my friends & family asking me my secret) because of their plant products (it’s all in the plant food and a moisture meter!)
A lot of small businesses also support other small businesses and local artists. When I walk into a retail shop in Indianapolis, they are often selling a beautiful ceramic homegood from a local ceramasist, poster from a local artist, or a frangrance from a local perfumery. It has such a ripple effect without you having to do much lift.
I help small business owners expand their reach by creating an online experience as magical as shopping inside the store. I believe online vibes can be just as good as shopping in person and with more and more consumers opting to shop online these days, brick and mortars really need
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