How You Can Support Small Businesses Without Buying | 7 Of My Favorite Small Shops For Wellness Gifts *Featuring 9 Black Owned Shops

Now more than ever we need to support small businesses. Here’s a few small shops you can support whether or not you chose to make a purchase. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase through them.  

While Amazon is the go-to for most of the world’s online shopping needs, we have reached the point where we must be more conscious of who we are supporting by how we are consuming. 

Supporting small businesses has a direct impact on our environment. I speak a little but about the importance of environmental wellness and how it applies to holistic health in my very first blog post.

When it relates to our community it’s important we are giving back and this is what happens when we support small.

If there was ever a time to shop small, it’s now. 

With government mandates forcing lots of small businesses to shut down, 79% of small businesses have experienced negative effects from the pandemic. This caused small business revenues to go down by 40%. Leaving some unable to reopen.

However even before the pandemic, supporting small businesses has always been the best way to help your community thrive.

Plus when you chose to support small businesses you are supporting a dream. You are helping someone pay their bills and support their family, not pay for their 3rd vacation home. 

In this post I will share a few small businesses that I recently shopped from as well as a list of a few black owned businesses you should check out on Instagram and consider supporting. 

While shopping small is highly encouraged, I do want to address that being able to do so is a privilege.

Shopping small can sometimes mean spending more. Yes it’s well worth the purchase, especially knowing the impact it can make. 

Unfortunately Amazon has done a great job keeping some of us reliant on their services, especially during the pandemic where a lot of us can’t leave our home and can’t turn down lower product and shipping prices.

Here’s What You CAN Do If You Can’t Quit Amazon

Sadly, we live in a society that somewhat forces us to rely on larger corporations. This can be clearly seen in the food industry.

We can’t afford to buy fresh and natural foods because it’s just less expensive to buy processed food. 

Buying on amazon gives us a similar convenience. Many of us are somewhat stuck and unable to fully quit amazon because it saves us money in the end.

The good news is there’s still some things you can do if you can’t fully quit amazon.

Here are some ways to make an impact with your prime account:

• share your account with family and friends.
• use someone’s affiliate link (many bloggers, YouTuber’s etc, use amazon affiliate links when promoting products. This allows them to get a small percentage on qualified products, simply by clicking their link and purchasing anything through them you are supporting a small business)
• find and support small businesses thats sell on amazon
• avoid purchasing amazon brand products
• buy used/previously returned items on amazon 
• select no rush shipping

Can’t Afford To Support Small?

If you’re buying on Amazon because it’s easier on the wallet and you don’t have the extra cash to pay for shipping costs and quality products or services. You can still support small businesses.

Some quick ways are through social media. 

Taking time to like, comment and share any posts help small businesses get their products or services out to a larger audience.

Lots of people overlook the power of social sharing and leaving positive reviews.

However, if you weren’t affected by this pandemic and are able to buy without thinking too much of costs, consider purchasing from a local business in your community or a small business online. 

Here is a list of small businesses you should consider supporting. Whether through purchase, or sharing and supporting online via social media shares, likes, comments etc. 

7 Of My Favorite Small Business Shops

This first list is of small businesses I have recently purchased from, or are owned by people I personally know and want to share to do my part to support them. 

#1 Butters & Black Soap – Black Owned

Butters & Black soap is a natural hair care and beauty product line located in Douglasville, Georgia. Everything is handcrafted and made of pure sustainably sourced ingredients. No toxins and great for your hair, skin and body. 

You can purchase black soap, body butters, hair products, oils, balms, salves, sea moss and more on their website or etsy shop.

This is where I get my sea moss from. It’s by far the best I’ve ever had.

#2 Living By VO – Female Owned

Living By VO is a candle shop on etsy located in Eugene, Oregon. They offer a wide variety of pure, eco friendly candles and art prints. The candles can be personalized with your chosen text, scent and healing stone. 

They also have a second shop where they creates handmade event invitations featuring original artwork.

I recently purchased a custom candle for a friend from Living By VO. The product came out exactly as I envisioned and I got positive feedback from the receiver.

#3 NAANI Botanicals – Female Owned 

NAANI botanicals is a natural skincare line created by a Florida midwife. She offers skincare that is ethically wild-crafted with organically grown botanicals handpicked at peak bloom. This small batch artisan process allows the most active and vital ingredients in each bottle.

From serums to butters you can be sure to find pure, toxin free skincare and wellness. 

Melissa, CEO of NAANI, is a fellow Floridian herbalist who I’ve had the chance of connecting with online.

#4 Raven Moon Emporium – Female Owned

Raven Moon Emporium is a small metaphysical shop located in Rock Hill, South Carolina selling herbs, crystals, incense, tarot decks and more.

They have certified organic and wildcrafted herbs, teas and spices that can be purchased in various amounts on their etsy shop or website. 

I recently purchased a few herbs for concoctions from this shop and was pleased with the quality of the herbs. I plan on checking out some crystals in the future.

https://ravenmoonemporium.com/

#5 Avon With Dona – Female Owned

Avon is the OG of social selling and has always promoted female entrepreneurship. They are known for leading the industry with breakthrough, award-winning products that people know and trust. 

From makeup to jewelry you are sure to find the perfect gift. They even have a wellness section!

Shopping with Dona as your representative you can trust that you’re not only supporting a real person and her family but you’ll also get a top notch customer service experience.

Dona is family and has been selling avon for several years. She always goes far and beyond for those around her, even willing to hand deliver products for local buyers.

# 6 Bohemian Rêves – Female Owned

Located in St. Petersburg, Florida Bohemian Rêves offers plant based skin love and personal care items. From sunscreen to floral smudge sticks, they carry a wide selection of wellness options.

Back when I lived in Tampa I found them at a market and purchased a lovely smudge stick from them that is still going strong.

# 7 Organic Olivia – Female Owned

Olivia is a clinical herbalist who I found on YouTube years ago when I was researching the benefits of parasite cleanses. She creates herbal tinctures and supplements for various ailments and health benefits.

We both share the same passion for healing the body naturally with herbs and good food. I love her probiotic, microbiome guard tincture and have plans to purchase her mane magic formula for hair health very soon.

8 Black Owned Wellness Businesses To Support

The following list is of a few black owned brands that I support online via Instagram and have plans to make purchases when I can. Click on the names to follow them on Instagram and show your support.

• High Brow Hippie

• The Honey Pot

• Krio

• Melanin Hair Care

• Rooted Woman

• Ivy’s Tea Co

• Movita

Let’s offer some support to small businesses in any way we can. Especially during this time of year where lots are being forced to shut down. Whether it be purchasing from someone on this list, sharing their links, liking/commenting or sharing on social media, any bit counts. 

Find local shops in your neighborhood on Instagram and share, like or comment or ask if there’s any way you can help.

In what ways will you be supporting online and local business during this time?

Are you a small business? Comment your website and Instagram account below so readers know to support you!

If you’d like to support me you can sign up for my free habit tracker (which will add you to my newsletter), check out my etsy shop or buy my book . While I don’t currently send out newsletters, you can be on the email list to be notified when there’s a product launch!

You can also follow me on Instagram and show your support by liking, commenting, saving and sharing.

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