Now is the Time to Shop Small

A few months ago (Nov. 6, 2024, to be exact – IYKYK), I decided to embark on a challenge: could I buy everything I need locally or from small businesses instead of relying on Amazon? I deleted the app, let my Prime membership expire, and vowed to explore other options. And you know what? It wasn’t as difficult as I expected. There’s a joy in supporting small businesses I never felt when shopping at Prime, Target, and other big box stores.

The power of shopping small

There’s something extremely gratifying about knowing your purchase truly makes a difference. When you shop small, your purchase is really meaningful to someone who puts their heart and soul into their work. That’s a feeling you just don’t get when ordering from Amazon or Target. Every transaction is personal and meaningful, knowing you’re contributing to someone’s dream and livelihood.

Is it more effort? Sure, but it’s worth it.

Does shopping small require extra planning? Yes, it does. I was used to my purchases arriving at my doorstep 24 hours or less after I’d ordered them. But you know what? Slowing down is not a bad thing. It limits my impulse buys by making me decide if I can wait and if I’ll still want the item in question a week from now. It’s made me more mindful about my purchases, and in many ways, that’s been a positive shift in my buying habits.

Sometimes, shopping local and shopping small even requires shopping in person – what a novelty in 2025! It means navigating schedules and childcare (because let’s face it, there is NO WAY my four-year-old is walking into my favorite home store on Magazine Street with me), but it’s so worth it to connect with other people. Our city (and yours too, I’m sure) is full of interesting people, and it’s so easy to spark a short conversation while shopping in a small business. What a beautiful way to learn about the experiences of others, even if it’s just a few minutes of casual connection. These interactions remind me that we’re all a part of this vibrant community that thrives on shared experiences and values.

Why shopping small matters even more in 2025

As the months went on, shopping small and supporting local businesses became even more significant to me. I watched as brands I patronized regularly completely abandoned their values – ditching diversity, equity, and inclusion and bowing to political pressures. It occurred to me that my money is power – and I can spend it where I choose. I can support businesses that align with my values.

You might have different values from mine, and that’s just fine. That’s what makes our freedom so important. You can vote with your dollar, and I can vote with mine. Choosing ethical brands, local stores, or small businesses speaks volumes about the world you want to help build.

Transparency, fair trade, and sustainability: the small business advantage

If you care about what’s behind the products you buy, shopping small makes it easier to trace where your money is going. Many small businesses – especially fair trade, sustainable brands – prioritize transparency. They’re more likely to share details about the supply chain, the artisans who create their products, and the practices they use to create their goods. It’s a level of honesty and transparency you won’t often find with mass-produced goods.

Researching your brands before you buy is an exercise in caring for others. You can make sure you’re buying goods that support fair wages and safe working conditions. If climate change and the environment are causes dear to you, this is your opportunity to support brands that prioritize sustainability. Look for shops that source locally, use organic materials, wrap their products in biodegradable packaging, and strive to reduce their carbon footprint.

Supporting small, sustainable businesses is one of the best ways to make a direct impact on the environment. Small businesses, especially ones like Passion Lilie that prioritize eco-friendly practices, tend to have a smaller carbon footprint compared to larger corporations that mass-produce goods with less regard for environmental impact.

Small businesses need us more than ever.

If you’ve been thinking about cutting ties with big box retailers, this is your encouragement. You really can do it. Your life will be richer for your choices – no more mass market junk, only carefully curated pieces that hold meaning and purpose in your life. You can be the one to make a small business owner’s day with your purchase.

In a time of economic uncertainty, your patronage matters more than ever. Amazon, Target, Walmart – they’ll survive on on-again, off-again tariffs. They can absorb the uncertainty. Small businesses cannot – not without you and me consciously choosing to support them. Every time you shop small, you’re helping to keep someone’s dream alive, creating jobs, and supporting a business that’s working to make the world a better place.

The social impact of shopping small

Shopping small has a direct and powerful social impact. When you support local businesses, you’re contributing to a community that values personal connections, quality, and craftsmanship. These businesses often provide jobs for local workers, farmers, and artisans, ensuring that money stays in the community and creates a ripple effect of success.

Small businesses are more likely to give back to their community through charity events, collaborations, or donating profits to local causes. These brands are committed to making a positive impact in their neighborhoods, so your choice to shop small is an investment in the community around you.  

Shop small, vote with your dollar.

At the end of the day, shopping small is a vote for values over mass production, community over convenience, and sustainability over instant gratification. By choosing small businesses, especially those that align with your values, you’re making a difference in ways that really matter.

Shopping small and supporting local businesses is better with friends. Use the group text to share resources and get everyone on board! It’s good to have cheerleaders and to be able to brag when you find something at a small business instead of going straight to Amazon. Make the switch, make an impact, and let us know how it goes!