Supporting Small, Local Businesses

I always want to do my part in supporting small, local businesses, and especially those local to me! I’m a small business myself, so I know how hard it is to make it work and how much goes into making your business the very best! This year, though, has been especially hard on so many small businesses. So I decided to do my part in supporting the small, local businesses in my area, and share the love with YOU!

I did a 10 Days of Giveaways series on my Facebook page, and it was so much fun! I found local businesses and purchased something from each of them. It was important to me to purchase something, rather than asking them to give me something, because I want them to have the support they need during the holiday season. Each day I featured one of these businesses and gave the item(s) away to a lucky winner (or a few)! It was so much fun!!! I loved seeing the engagement from people finding new businesses, and the support of each business owner was so great to see! Plus, I found some new places to shop for myself!

If you missed out on the giveaway, or you just want to be able to find a list of these businesses for future reference, I figured I’d share about each of them again here in my blog! Here are the amazing small, local businesses that participated in my giveaway series. I’m sure they’d love to have your continued support!

Day 1- Bubbling Beauties BB!

These Friends themed bath bombs were a HUGE hit! They look adorable and they smell AMAZING!!!! Lindsi works hard on all of her products, making them absolutely incredible! Here’s a bit more on Lindsi and her business:

Hi! I’m Lindsi, creator and founder of Bubbling Beauties BB! Handcrafting is a passion of mine and it is my goal to bring you safe and natural bath & body products for a relaxing and luxurious spa-like experience. I specialize in handcrafting, to include hand painting, uniquely designed bath bombs! I put my heart and soul into every product I create because I believe self care is essential to our mental and physical health!

You can find Lindsi’s awesome bath and body products here!

Day 2- Dannika Lauren!

• 

• 

Dannika creates beautiful paintings and does some truly gorgeous writing! I’ve had her do quite a bit of writing work for me! She has also been a big help in finding ways to support other small, local businesses. Here’s a bit more about Dannika and her brand!

Hey there, I’m Dannika, owner of my small business brand Dannika Lauren! I’m a Creative helping others find their own inner Creative and live their best, most creative and authentic life! When we live more freely and authentically, we change the world for the better. I truly believe that everyone is an artist of some kind, and that everyone has a story to tell. My passion is to draw out the Artist in everyone, help tell those stories, and bring more beauty into the world. I do this through writing, artwork, spiritual work, public speaking, and more! My main specialties are writing and painting! From creating something FOR you, to making something WITH you, to helping you free your inner artist and watch you create your OWN art-form, I’d love to help any way I can! I would be honored to have you choose a piece of my work for you to cherish at home or share with a friend. I can’t wait to meet you, and create something beautiful together!

You can find Dannika on Instagram: @instabydannika and her new website is coming very soon!

Day 3- Knit On Designs

Deb’s handmade creations are SO CUTE and SO COMFY!!! I purchased two hats from her for the giveaway, but ended up keeping one for myself and only giving away one because I just couldn’t help it! Here’s a message from Deb!

Hello! I’m the designer behind Knit On Designs, and author of 2 books, “Dishcloth Diva,” and “Dishcloth Diva Knits On!” BOTH on Amazon as a Kindle and a print edition. I have 2 eBooks, Hats and Dishcloths, available on Ravelry and Etsy.

I am a wife, mother to two beautiful girls, and a grandma. I live in beautiful, picturesque Colorado Springs, CO.

I’m a self taught knitter, though growing up I watched my mom and grandma knit sweaters. My first project was a scarf. I worked the night shift as a hospice nurse and needed something to do with my hands as my patients slept.

I love beautiful fibers, unique scissors, and project bags of all kinds.

I enjoy creating knitting patterns that leave you feeling accomplished. My focus is the novice knitter or anyone looking for a simple project away from the more challenging ones.

My favorite things to design are baby blankets, socks, and dishcloths. Of course, dishcloths, right? They were my (humble) beginning.

I’m on Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy at @knitondesigns

Day 4- Hope Design Ltd.

I absolutely love the bracelet Lauren made, and I’m going to have to order another one for myself! I can’t believe I gave this one away! Lauren runs another one of my favorite small, local businesses! Here’s more on Lauren and her business, Hope Design, Ltd.

Lauren Hope is the owner, designer, and artisan behind Hope Design, Ltd ®. As a military spouse herself, she carefully hand crafts unique, military jewelry and accessories to honor our country’s service veterans and heroes. Her creations are available online, and in selected not-for-profit, military spouse mission-driven gift shops.

Check out Lauren’s amazing products here!

Day 5- Kind Culture Co.

These dolls are THE MOST ADORABLE things you’ve ever seen! AND they promote kindness, fairness, and more! This is exactly the kind of message you want to see from small, local businesses (or not so small)! Here’s what owners Victoria and Jackie have to say about Kind Culture Co.

KIND CULTURE COMPANY WAS FOUNDED BY TWO MOMS ON A MISSION: TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER CHILDREN TO CREATE A KINDER WORLD.

“It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.”
-L.R. Knost

We recognize that in every child’s hands lies the potential to do good and change the world. As mothers, it is a dream for us to create more than just another children’s product, but to create thoughtful and meaningful pieces that are woven into a beautiful childhood. We have created children’s products that not only look beautiful and timeless, but do good too. Every purchase helps a child in need.

At Kind Culture Company we firmly believe that the best way to raise children with values such as kindness, love, and gratitude, is to exemplify these values ourselves. That’s why we have dedicated ourselves to creating a business that gives back and does good.

Empowering children to be the positive change needed in the world will build their self-esteems, their sense of worth, and their overall well-being. We believe that all children are good and that we have the responsibility as parents to nurture and encourage this.

As we reflected upon what exactly we have set out to accomplish, we discovered that our true passion is in cultivating kindness. In creating a culture in which kindness shapes our decisions, drives our pursuits, and is intertwined in our very character. We believe that Kind Culture Co. is a true representation of this.

We thank you for being a part of our journey and are grateful for your support. We continue to be inspired by the dedication you show in sharing values like kindness, love, and gratitude, with the little ones that shape our future. We thank you for making purchases that truly make a difference. We will continue to strive to make thoughtful, meaningful products that not only look good, but do good too.

Spread Love!

Victoria + Jackie

You can find these adorable dolls and other products here!

Day 6- Bling The Change

These creations from Bling The Change are so breathtaking, and I really have no idea how she does it! I’ve seen so many different designs of hers, and each one is creative and beautiful! To find more of her work you can click here!

Day 7- Hyde’s Handmade’s and Embroidery

• 

• 

I love these creations from Hyde’s Handmade’s and Embroidery! Cozy goodness AND sweet treats?! Yes please! Here’s a bit more about the business!

I started crocheting when I was about 7 years old, self taught from a book to keep myself busy. My mom has been sewing for as long as I can remember. Her mother was a seamstress and taught her how to sew. We make things from baby blankets and car seat covers to king size quilts and more. We have always had an appreciation for quality handmade items and wanted to share that with others. We create each piece with love and wanted to find a way to make things even more personal. Together we decided to jump into the realm of embroidery, and have done quite a bit of personalization, as well as many logos for companies. An example of something we have done: We had the opportunity to work on handkerchiefs that had been handed down for two generations. We matched the embroidery that was already on the handkerchief in both style and color. We love that we have capabilities to create as well as continue traditions of family heirlooms as well as fun gifts that bring a smile to anyone’s face. We recently started our journey of chocolate making and have been having a blast with the different shape and color combinations we have come up with. We hope to make this a staple of items that we make in order to bring joy to the world.

We are working on our face book as well as our website.

Day 8- Sweet Addict

Oh my goodness, Sweet Addict Bakery has my heart (and my stomach)! Every single thing I’ve ever gotten from them is delicious! Here’s a bit about their business:

Gourmet confections crafted to perfection! Specializing in gourmet caramels, caramel sauce, marshmallows and brittles – with the occasional cake and cookies, too! Adding a little joy to your day! We are honored to be a top 1% Etsy seller!

Check out the Sweet Addict Bakery website for info and to make orders here!

Day 9- Two Pups Laserworks

I love working with Andschana and Jason, and their business is so cool! They can use lasers to etch just about anything! Here’s a bit more about Two Pups Laserworks:

We believe that communication is the cornerstone of our civilization and we want to communicate messages of hope, inspiration, and pride. We do this by using lasers to etch, cut, mark, and engrave a variety of products for home and personal use.

You can find Two Pups Laserworks on Facebook, or at their website here!

Day 10- The Peppered Pear

I’m OBSESSED with these charcuterie boards!!! They are beautiful and delicious, and feel so fancy! My family enjoyed ours SO MUCH! Here’s a bit more about The Peppered Pear!

All of our boxes all included 3 cheeses, 3 meats, 2 spreads including our Creamy White Truffle Dijon and our Signature Peppered Pear Jelly along with 6-8 accompaniments.Each Grazing Box will vary a bit based on product availability and what’s fresh in the season.From smooth cheddars to tart apples, these boxes are packed with flavor!We currently offer 3 sizes:Small feeds 2-3 $45.00Medium feeds 4-6 $65.00Large feeds 7-9 $90.00XL feeds 10-13 $150.00

You can find out more about The Peppered Pear and order your beautiful charcuterie boards here!

I hope you enjoyed these 10 Days of Giveaways and that you found new businesses to love and support moving forward! And to all of the businesses who participated: thank you! Thank you for being a part of this, and thank you for offering your unique talents to the world! Keep up the good work!

Collaborating with other businesses and creators is one of my favorite things to do! Check out this Friends Themed Newborn Photo Shoot I did, with the help of some awesome local entrepreneur friends!