Shop Small Business, Shop CO.STARTERS

Finally. The time has arrived for holiday music to flood through the ceiling speakers of  local shopping malls, unleashed from its eleven-month-long hibernation. And that means one thing--you have shopping to do.

It can be immensely difficult, especially during the holiday season, to peruse shelves and online catalogs without feeling like you’re buying into the commercialization that feeds off of the holiday spirit you cherish so much. In light of that difficulty, we at CO.STARTERS want to suggest that this holiday season, you support small businesses.

Personal connection to the entrepreneur.

When you buy from a local/small business, you forge a bond with the owner, whether you are aware or not. The product has gone from their hands into yours, minimizing the middlemen. This connection is nearly impossible when you purchase from a large corporation, where the labor that brings you the product remains anonymous.

Uniqueness of the gift

More often than not, purchases from small businesses are one of a kind, adding a personal touch to the gift itself. If you need to find a special gift, chances are you’ll be more satisfied with an item or service from a unique small business as opposed to a giant seller.

Feeding the local economy.

You don’t need a degree in economics to understand how shopping locally supports the local economy. Instead of your capital being consumed by big box stores that have little to no care as to how well your community thrives, your money lands in the pockets of the owners and employees of small businesses--people just like you.

‍