How to Find Small Businesses Near You

-

There are so many ways to find small businesses but it all seems so overwhelming at first. 

How to support: 

1. Don't ask for a discount ( because you're friends with them )

    a. this is quite possibly one of the most disrespectful things you can say to a small business owner. Their work is worth what they are pricing it, whether you agree with it or not. 

2. Do your research - ESPECIALLY FOR ETSY!!! 

    a. Sadly Etsy is prone to stolen art pages. If you find a page you like make sure you look around on their other social media pages just to double-check that everything matches up. I know I have been scammed by Etsy on multiple occasions. I tried to buy some T-shirts, and the account was totally fake and never sent out any orders, and it was all fake reviews. And also don't be afraid to fight for your money, after that order, I opened an appeal with Etsy and that page and got a refund. ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF!

3. Don't be afraid to message someone on Instagram or Facebook


    a. When I get messages from any of my previous customers or future customers, it makes my day. When you buy from a small business someone is on the other side of that sale, packaging up your order while watching their favorite Netflix show. There is so much love put into that order.

    b. I also love to answer clarifying questions about your order. I want it to be exactly what you want. That is what makes buying from a small business so much more special because it's not a gift like "I thought about you and got this" it's "I got this made exactly for you and only you"


4. Look for the shops on Insta with <500 (less than) followers 

    a. those are the shops that just need some help getting on their feet, with one order and one person posting it on their story that can get that shop 6 more orders. I know one time I sold a ring to a girl who had 5K followers. When she posted it on her story I think I literally got like 75 new followers. 

Small businesses have so much time on their hands with this next shut down. And you do too, so take some time to do some research and find small businesses. 

Some of my favorites are: 


Black Owned: 
Jewelry: 
Slow Fashion:
Embroidery:
Accessories:
Home: 
Stickers: 
Prints/paintings 
Illustration: 
There are so many options, please shop small for the holidays 
Stay crafty - Mads

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shave your head

-
Image
 Do it. Because literally... why not?  I have been talking about shaving my head for so long now, my first inspiration was my close friend Kate Cheever, who shaved her head with a big group of people from school to donate money to cancer research. Ever since she did it I have always felt like, why not? You only have one head of hair, so this is your sign to go and do it.  You will probably feel scared shitless while it's happening but if it's meant to be it will be. There was not a single moment while my hair was getting cut that I thought "ahhh is this a mistake??" it felt so natural and still does. I feel like I should've buzzed my hair years ago. And if you do have that moment of doubt, just remember - it's hair. It grows back, you can dye it and have fun with it. And in the meantime, while it's growing back, you can try so many cute little hairstyles. Also wigs! You could have different hair every day if you wanted!  Also if you have a chance - Donate ...
Keep Reading …

My First Semester at College

-
Image
Everyone says that college is the best time of your life.  It is.  You just have to get through the first semester. My first semester of college was very rough. I cried so much and thought about transferring every day. I had an amazing roommate who helped me through all the tough days. Believe me, there were many facetime calls home that started and ended in tears.  But anyways, college is a strange place. You go from being in a house where you are taken care of, fed, and, at least for me, a very cohesive household. To a foreign land where there are 2 rules.  1) Don't be too loud 2) Don't be a stupid drunk kid  The best and worst part of college is the freedom. You have the freedom to do whatever you want. This can be very fun and exciting at times but also can be wildly terrifying. Some of the best advice that I wish someone told me before I went to college: Everyone is scared to make new friends  Make an effort to be friends with the people in your classe...
Keep Reading …

How I Became My Own Best Friend

-
Image
Step one: become extremely depressed for an entire calendar year.  Step two: yay BFFS Haha just kidding there are a few more steps in there. From my own experience I have gone from being very friend orientated and a big people person in high school - to - a very introverted queer artist. It all started in January of 2019  (well not all of it, but that would be a much longer post)  when I got turned down from something that I had surrounded my entire life for 6 years. That is where I had all my friends, all my summer memories, and literally, everything about me was from that place. But I guess it wasn’t meant to be.  I hate when people say everything happens for a reason. Because god damn it did not feel like that happened for a reason for months. And I still don’t think there was an overarching reason that it happened, but I think through difficult events in our lives we can create a reason that it happened, for comfort. Basically, I was devastated, I honestly think ...
Keep Reading …