Supporting Small Businesses Makes a Big Difference

With sustainability being a driving factor for my vegetarian lifestyle, it’s extremely important to keep that same energy as a consumer for all types of products. It’s no secret that many of us hate capitalism, and the number one way our system can be combatted in an effective way is shopping locally to invest in our community. Not only are small businesses more likely to source their products sustainably, but they typically promote economic diversity and help preserve the unique nature of our communities. In fact – research shows that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 will be circulated back into the community.

Although most of us are guilty for having supported fast fashion in the past, it’s important to change the narrative. In many cases, products made by small businesses are better quality, customizable, and offer a handmade touch that large companies could never provide. Not to mention, by purchasing locally you are likely supporting the hopes and dreams of someone in your community.

Below are small businesses run by talented individuals that I have the pleasure of knowing! Invest in your community and the environment by checking them out 🤩

1. Gems By Gigi

My best friend Gianna Midure recently began her homemade jewelry and accessories company, Gems By Gigi. She offers entirely customizable handmade pieces at an affordable cost including earrings, necklaces, and anklets! She’s one of the most creative people I know and I couldn’t wait to support.

On her Instagram (@gems.by.gigi), she holds frequent earring raffles with all entry money going to support various causes like George Floyd’s family and the Know Your Rights Camp. On regular purchases, 25% of the proceeds go to COVID-19 funds benefiting communities that are disproportionally affected!

Gems By Gigi Etsy Link: https://etsy.me/38vSztr?dlr=ios_ual

2. MadeByEleena

MadeByEleena offers amazing graphic design stickers with tons of personality and room for personalization! Sharing her passion for art and design, Eleena sells trendy stickers that are high quality, low cost, and vibrantly colorful. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm butterfly obsessed, so I can’t wait for the butterfly stickers I ordered to come in!

Aside from the current designs on Eleena’s Etsy, you can upload a photo and she will create a Faceless Portrait Illustration for digital download. Soon she’ll be expanding to prints and other design work, so give her some love!

Use code JULES20 for 20% off your order with MadeByEleena!

Instagram: madebyeleena

Etsy Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/madebyeleena/

3. eden's harvest

A longtime friend of mine, Genevieve Raftery, created the jewelry brand eden’s harvest, predominantly made from sea glass and other findings.

“The name eden’s harvest came from my upbringing. bountiful and colorful, smelling my mother’s cooking from all corners of the house, her garden, hundreds of hours at the beach. What my mother spent so long creating was eden, and I spend each day fostering a new sanctuary”. It is rather uncustomary to come across a brand with such a palpable passion and message, which is what makes small businesses like eden’s harvest so unique in today’s society.

In efforts toward sustainability, she says “I want to reimagine, reuse, and repurpose things, whether they be materials or concepts. that is woven into my practice of not wasting materials and always finding ways to filter them back into new projects. At this point, new sustainable fashion does not exist, save thrift stores, but as creators it also our job to be mindful of how we work materials into our craft”.

Genevieve’s passion for the greater good is an apparent driving force for eden's harvest. It is brands like this who will pave the way for sustainable and intentional consumerism, absolutely highlighting the originality and social awareness that many capitalistic companies lack.

Eden’s harvest has made it a priority to give back. Genevieve says, “Black trans women stand at the epicenter of intersectional feminism, and are our most vulnerable people”. By supporting eden’s harvest, you will contribute to the 10% of all proceeds that are donated to G.L.I.T.S.’s Fund for Black Trans Futures.

Shop here: https://www.edensharvest.co/necklaces

4. C Tea Shop

C Tea Shop allows you to become your own bobarista with their at-home Boba kits! While quarantining, Clarissa Guzman’s closest Boba shop was thirty minutes away and realized that many others may not have stores nearby either. Inspired by her love for bubble tea, Clarissa created her own brand to make Boba easily accessible to everyone.

C Tea Shop offers Coconut, Taro, Vanilla, and Black Tea. The brand also offers sustainable packaging with compostable flavor packet baggies and soon-to-come reusable straws. They ship worldwide, as well as offer free local delivery to Buena, NJ.

Through August 8th, C Tea Shop is offering 15% of all orders by using code “HAPPY15”!

C Tea Shop: https://cteashop.com/

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Please Read!

On August 4th, a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon killed dozens, destroyed homes and buildings, and overwhelmed hospitals which left the country in crisis. This, in addition to the social, political, and health crises has left Lebanon desperately needing help. The Beruit Blast Victims Relief Fund will help purchase supplies; food, water, first aid, meal boxes, providing shelter, medical supplies, paying for medical bills of those injured by the explosion, aiding repairs of homes, etc. To donate, click here.

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Source

Julie Starr (2016, November 12). Why It's Important to Shop Green and Shop Local for Small Business Saturday. Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://taigacompany.com/why-its-important-to-shop-green-and-shop-local-for- small-business-saturday/