My shift from shopping on Amazon to shopping locally began at the onset of the pandemic. My husband and I, stuck at home, found ourselves looking for things in our living space that needed to be fixed, replaced, or upgraded daily. Over and over, these “upgrades” came to our doorstep packed in a brown box with a weird arrow smile on it. It felt so convenient and safe that we became carried away with mindless, one-click orders. I eventually realized we were addicted and had to stop. 

That day, I promised myself that I would no longer shop in an online marketplace full of cheaply-made knockoffs. Instead, I would do my research on local makers and artists and choose quality-made pieces. I have to pay more upfront for sure, but since quality-made pieces last longer, I found that I don’t shop as much. So, what I spend now is about the same or even less.

Working with businesses that pop up at The Seedling Collective has made my desire to support small businesses even stronger. Every single featured pop-up has an amazing story to share about how they started. Even more importantly, they are 100 percent invested in their product and want to make real connections with their customers, not just their customer’s wallets. So, before you start making your holiday wishlist, take a look at these local small businesses and I guarantee you will find what you are looking for and even more! 

I was surprised when my husband followed my lead and started searching for small creators that spoke to him. Having strong ties with the military community, he has found a great deal of veteran-owned companies that align with his vibe.

From companies that make practical things like durable socks, to mom-and-pop shops that create crazy print shirts, to creators that make hand-crafted bar tools – people with passion for their craft are always looking for new customers.

I hope that you’ll join me this holiday season and start with small changes. Lead by example and shop local!