I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday and were able to enjoy time well spent with the ones you love.
These days, the turkey and pumpkin pie barely have time to settle before everyone’s lacing up their running shoes for Black Friday doorbusters. And while I do love a great deal, my heart belongs to shopping small, eating local, and supporting hometown makers and creators. So today, let’s talk about how we can be generous with the small businesses and local artists who make our communities shine.
My friends at Daymaker Gifts and I have seen firsthand how much heart goes into running a small business. It’s like the elves’ workshop, only with fewer reindeer and a lot more coffee! Small Business owners are often the heart of any community. These businesses are also the ones who donate locally to the schools, youth organizations, and community foundations. They often spearhead or sponsor the parades, markets, fairs, and festivals that make our communities unique. They believe in the age-old truth, strong businesses, build strong communities, and strong schools for our kids. Small Business owners are powerhouse individuals. They fiercely support one another and give back to their communities, all the while working from dawn to dusk just simply to chase a dream and make the world a better place. They are truly some of the hardest working, most beautiful people I know. That’s why today I want to focus on being generous to small businesses and local artists. Of course, they love it when you visit their stores or eat in their restaurants, and spend your hard earned dollars with them, but there are so many ways you can support them without spending a dime.
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Write a heartfelt thank-you to a small business or local artist you love (perhaps a review or social media shout-out).
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TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ABOUT THEM (word of mouth is still the most powerful form of advertising…it’s also the least expensive too.)
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Shout them out online. Share, like, or comment on their posts.
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Attend their events, classes, markets, or their shops frequently.
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Bring them a coffee (p.s. The Daymaker Gifts CEO likes Harvest Cider from The Bean or a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks–just in case anyone was curious…)
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Let them know you see their efforts and they are making a difference in your corner of the world.
The list is endless. I know firsthand that being a small business owner can be a lonely difficult journey. We just finished, what the elves and I call, Small Business weekend, this past weekend. While this is an important weekend for obvious reasons, I want to challenge you to continue this committed support all year long.
Did you know that every Daymaker gift is filled with products from other small businesses? And that they give back each month to meaningful non-profits and community organizations? From supporting local 4-H and FFA groups to high school athletic programs, non-profit cancer support services, children’s homes worldwide, and local women’s shelters—Daymaker Gifts is committed to making a difference. But they can’t do it without your support.
When you shop small, encourage, or purchase from a local business, your generosity creates a ripple effect that goes far beyond helping them keep the lights on—it strengthens communities and empowers countless lives.
Now it’s your turn: Tell us about your favorite small business!
What makes them special? Why do you keep coming back? Hit "reply" and share your story—we’d love to celebrate them, and who knows, we might even give them a special shout out in the future!