It’s easy to become distracted by the convenience of well-known brands and big names in a fast-paced world. Yet Randi Owsley, a group expert in information, makes a compelling case to shop small, local, and support women-run businesses. As the administrator of a thriving online community, Randi prompted members to share their businesses and services. The response was overwhelming and beautifully diverse. Here’s a glimpse into some of these wonderful communities’ offerings:
Unique Services and Products
- Sarah Kalahele offers Black Friday specials at Brookside Stables. They give horseback riding lessons, organize kids horse camps, and more.
- Isabella Satterthwait provides unique services in concierge aesthetics throughout the Treasure Valley. Services include tox injections, chemical peels, dermaplaning, and medical-grade skincare in the comfort of your home.
- Angie Thompson Huebner sells organic products for baby, body, home, makeup, and more at Poofy Organics.
- Skylee Sparks offers homemade canned jams, soups, and other delightful items through Elixirs by Skylee on Facebook or Instagram.
A Variety of Home-Based Businesses
- Amy Tovar offers interesting Remnant Lights, perfect for windows and headboards, even popular in hospitals to brighten up rooms without occupying floor space.
- Cassandra Thompson’s company, Freedom First Services, LLC, specializes in deep cleaning, post-construction cleaning, move-in/out, regular window cleaning, and post-construction window cleaning, among other things.
- Stefani Joy makes charcuterie boards, cookies, DIY cookie kits, cupcakes, cocoa bombs, and cake pucks (like cake pops but in a “hockey puck” form) with prints on them and white chocolate-dipped Oreo cookies at Charcutie Chicks.
- Tami Taub and her husband designed a 100-piece Glow in the Dark Kids Fort Building Kit as a fun indoor activity for the coming winter months. It’s available on Amazon.
- Kayla Horton crafts custom stocking tags, making these personalized items a unique gift.
- Heather Jaques Ruiz runs a child-focused business, RuBee Baby, which can be visited at rubeebaby.com.
Supporting Local: A Plethora of Choices!
The variety of businesses represented in just this one community goes to show that there’s no shortage of local businesses to support. From Jacq Crawford’s Boise Tonic Co., a wellness+beauty+apothecary, to Sara Osgood’s Bloom Speech and Voice Therapy, there’s something to fit everyone’s needs and interests. Jewelry lovers can explore Angel Phipps’s crafted jewelry on her site, Plunder Design or Kirstin Reeder’s Greystone Designs for wrist bling. For those interested in organic products, Deanna Sarene has a 50% off sale for her certified organic essential oils.
The beauty of supporting small, local businesses is that consumers can find unique, handcrafted, and personalized items they wouldn’t usually find in big-box stores. Not to mention, by purchasing from them, we contribute to keeping our local economy thriving and helping to support families within our communities. This season, let’s make it a point to shop small and show support for our local entrepreneurs. The treasures you discover might surprise you!