small business saturday

i know you've all seen the ads for black friday, which will actually start on thursday evening for some stores.  i've never really been one to jump into that madness and get trampled for a new pair of shoes.  i'd rather spend my money locally or with small businesses online.  i like knowing where my money is going.

there are a few great places here in town that i frequent, most of them are a part of the lowe mill/flying monkey art collective that i belong to, but that's because i spend most of my free time there!

a great local gift shop, the switch house, (who tara and i both wholesale to) will be featured in the december 2012 issue of southern living magazine! 

it is so important to spend your money wisely.  you work hard for your cash and you should know where it goes.  when you buy locally, and i don't mean a locally owned store that is part of a chain or that sells mainstream manufactured items, i mean truly local, with locally made items, your money stays right in your community.  that money is well spent and probably isn't as much as the owner actually deserves! 

being on the other side of business, actually owning one and dealing with rent and supplies and the time put into making and finding the objects to sell, it's almost shocking how little money is actually profit.  it's minuscule, but it's so worth it.  i am overjoyed if i make a single $8 sale on a saturday.  something that i made, that i dreamed up and put together, is leaving with a person who will enjoy it and use it.  it's so special!

last year, 103 million people saved their black friday dollars that they would have spent in chain stores (where the money goes to the uber rich owners) and spent it on small business saturday, where the money stays in the community. 

i hope you take the time to research a few local businesses in your community and choose to spend you hard-earned cash there.  i know there are local coffee shops and eateries no matter where you live.  i have nothing against starbucks, but if you trade one cup of coffee purchased at a chain a week for one from a local shop, you'll do your community a heap of good!

if you shop at any of my 3 etsy stores and find something you'd like to see in person, or some clothing you'd like to try on, please email me and i'll have it with me on saturday.

if you print off and bring in either of the 2 signs above, you'll receive a 20% discount on your entire purchase from now until christmas.  with a bonus if you pay in cash!