“This is a time to lift each other up and work together…”

My husband has been mulling ideas for his second book and I, of course, have been eagerly offering a suggestion. I think someone should write about the shifts of the COVID-19 economy – particularly the winners. Who would have known that if you sold air purifiers, bikes, home workout equipment, shrubbery, canning supplies, or a variety of other things, you would be in the chips?But for most of us in small business, it is a constant hustle and a constant pivot. It has also taught us all that we need to work together and figure this out so we are all here in 2021. This isn’t a time for competition; this is a time to lift each other up and work together.One way many stores are helping others out is by featuring local vendors and suppliers. We started Courtyard of Creators to do just that. It was a way for designers to set up a shop within a shop at my store in a safe shopping environment, in our courtyard outside.We started the series with six women of color and it has been a huge hit - such a success that they are coming back, together. That is right – on Small Business Saturday there will be a Courtyard of Creators featuring five makers in front of our store. Well, also on our sidewalk and we have a park-let now, so we will be able to spread out.If everyone could lobby mother nature to help out and give us nice weather, that would be great.Saturday you can come and shop with 3Shades Chic, Cheryl’s Bracelet Bar, Best Life Organics, Skin Scholars, and CARRA Hosiery. Help support these amazing women who have made our fall so much more fun. We want to make sure we can do this again on Small Business Saturday 2021.