Our Favorite Ways to Shop Small for Small Business Saturday 2021
For most of my career, I've worked for BIG organizations. The ones with undeniable name recognition and hundreds of thousands of followers. You know which ones I am talking about… Harvard, Oxfam, etc.
As much as I enjoyed my experiences there, I realized that I might be able to make more of an impact by working with smaller, mission-driven businesses and organizations.
I was raised by small business owners and I saw just how hard they worked to turn their passion into a profitable business and create opportunities for others in their industry and community. And they are hardly alone. In the US, 99% of all firms are small businesses. They are the engine of our economy.
While I worked my way up within those large institutions, sometimes bogged down by bureaucracy and group think, I had a hunch that the lessons I was learning about digital strategy, website design, and social media could be even more impactful for small businesses.
Because what matters most in digital marketing is your story - and small business owners have some of the best stories I know. Especially those who are working to make this world a more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy place for us all.
So with the holiday season upon us, I wanted to highlight five of my favorite local Boston area shops to support this Small Business Saturday - and every day for that matter!
Uvida: Uvida is Boston’s first zero-waste shop! They opened last year in my neighborhood - the North End - and I couldn’t be more excited. They’ve got everything from bamboo toothbrushes (which are one of my bathroom must-haves) to reusable silicone food storage bags. Working towards a zero-waste home is a process, but Uvida is my go-to for sustainable alternatives to every day things. Shop them at www.uvidashop.com.
Hippie Adjacent: A jewelry brand with an edge. Their own site says it best: “Hippie Adjacent is for the people who revel in beautiful contradictions. The ones who cleanse their homes with Palo Santo while listening to trap music. It's for the people who aren't afraid to honor all aspects of their being.” Their beautiful jewelry is bold, unique, and eye-catching, so I bought a pair of earrings for each of my bridesmaids this past summer. Check them out at www.hippieadjacent.com.
For Now: A female-founded small shop supporting other small shops?! It’s almost too much goodness to handle. For Now is a retail incubator that makes it easy to shop and support emerging entrepreneurs. Based in Boston’s Seaport district, they curate a rotating inventory of brands and allow consumers to interact directly with products that are normally only available online. And their taste is impeccable. If you’re on Nantucket over the summer, don’t forget to check out their other location on the island! Visit them in-person or online at www.itsfornow.com.
We Thieves: Vintage. Sustainable lifestyle brands. Conscious consumerism. Say no more… We love everything We Thieves stands for. Sandra Rossi, the founder of We Thieves, took her career in product merchandising for major clothing brands and flipped it on its head to create a shop in Cambridge, MA that prioritizes quality clothing, slow fashion, and goods that last. Sandra and her team curate a gorgeous and eclectic assortment of designer vintage (think Yves Saint Laurent, Sonia Kykiel, Hermès, etc.) as well as beauty and home items from small-batch makers. Check out the store in Inman Square or visit www.wethieves.com.
Boston Public Market: I have to give Boston Public Market a shout out because not only do they provide an urban home for local farms and food shops, but they also offer some amazing local goods. For those who aren’t familiar, the Boston Public Market is an indoor, year-round marketplace featuring about 30 New England artisans and food producers offering fresh foods, prepared meals, crafts, and specialty items. It’s an amazing spot for seasonal gifts and goodies - don’t forget to pick up an apple cider donut while you browse. Visit them at Haymarket and learn more at www.bostonpublicmarket.org.
