“When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance.”
When I think of bravery in the context of starting a small business, I think about all the people who are following their hearts and guts.
The brave ones who - despite all the business owners who came before them and were out of business after a few years - started anyway. Brave creative people, like the online shop owner who starts a brick and mortar store. Or the person who steps away from their comfort zone to start a business which is notoriously hard to survive in - like the people who start indie magazines. To me, these are the brave creatives who (luckily for us) create something they believe in so wholeheartedly, that they are willing to take this big leap into the world of creative small businesses.
That’s why I believe, it is really important to show our support whenever we can, to help them grow and thrive.
You can show your support in many ways. For instance by sharing their work with other people - which doesn’t cost you anything other than your time. You can buy their products of refer someone else to their work or store. If you are mostly spending your time (and money) online, you can start by linking and crediting their business or artwork. You also can buy your gifts from their shop, especially with the Holiday Season coming up.
Showing support for any small business is huge and can be the connecting dots they need to either stay in business, or simply to be seen by more people.
If you follow my Instagram Stories, you may have seen that it was my birthday a few days ago and I wanted to surprise one of my readers with a small give-away. While on my way to buy my own copy, I thought of giving away one copy of the 91 magazine.
91 Magazine is a woman led, indie magazine sharing different parts of creative living. I really like their content, which is filled with tips, different interviews with creatives and makers, recipes, home tours and I get inspired by their travel destinations. Combine all of this with the beautiful photography and you most likely will become a happy reader too.
Caroline Rowland is the editor of this magazine and she started it in 2011 - simply because she couldn’t find the magazine she wanted to read. Even though this is a tough sector to be in, she followed her idea right into the publishing world and started this independent magazine. Meaning it’s not part of a huge corporation, has a small press and is made for a niche audience. Talk about being brave, right?
So yes - I’m giving away the newest print edition of the 91 magazine - which I bought at our local specialized Magazine Shop in Brighton. All you have to do is tell me why you love to support your local, or favourite small business and I’ll pick one person world wide this Friday November 1st. You can share it by reply email or on my Instagram @maureenbleekerpaal or @moksicollective - either way. And this is not an ad or anything. This is my way of simply sharing what I love, with you all.
*[note: This give away is closed - Winner is Lyndahome]
Oh and if you are not the winner, you can also sign up to their email list and receive their Free 12 pages E-zine!
Also, if you are in Brighton, do stop by the Magazine Shop near the train station. Because not only do they have the good magazines from around the world, you will also be supporting another small business.
It really is a win-win for everyone this way and I love it.
Keep sharing and keep supporting each other!
Maureen x
