Our list of Small, Smaller, and the Smallest Businesses we admire and love buying from, curated for the #smallbiz100 Campaign.
Small Business Saturday highlights 100 small businesses in the United Kingdom, one a day for 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday (3rd of December 2022).
Let’s take a step back… What is a small business?
A small business is a privately owned and run company, with less than 50 employees and a turnover under one million. Having said that, the definition is not so straight-forward and varies from country to country. The common theme is that the business must be self-sufficient.
Small businesses can be found all over your city… your favourite local coffee shops, restaurants, small agencies (like Visuable), florists, shoe repair shops, jewellery boutiques and the list goes on. In fact, 99% of businesses in the United Kingdom are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In 2021, the calculated number of small businesses was 5.5 million, making them the backbone of our local economies.
Why is it important to support small businesses?
It’s because small businesses have a positive impact on the local economy. Let’s say, you buy a coffee from our favourite neighbourhood café. The money you spend on the coffee benefits the local business, its employees, and its owner. The investment also contributes to local development and continues to benefit your community.
In comparison, if you buy from a large corporation, your money will still support some local employees, but the ripple effect will not have a direct impact on your community, since your money will go directly to the holding company and it’s shareholders, who are not part of your local community.
When you buy from a small business, you’ll be sure to receive more personalised service than buying from a corporation, and you’ll not be seen as just a number. You’ll help put food on someone’s table, whether it is the small business’ employee or owner. You will have a direct effect on people’s lives, and your contribution will cause many happy dances behind the screen or around the counter.
We completely understand that supporting small businesses can be more expensive than buying from big corporations. However, if you invest in quality rather than quantity, the return on investment will be worth it!
How can you support small businesses?
There are many ways in which you can support small businesses that are beyond the monetary. For example, you can do any of the below, even daily:
1. Like, share and comment on their posts on social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook) to help increase their visibility within your audience - you never know who in your audience may need something those businesses sell.
2. Tell your friends about the business – referrals are super important for small businesses, as those help build trust and be discovered by new customers.
3. Leave a review on their Google My Business profile or other platforms. This will highlight their superb customer service and experience that they offer, and encourage others to buy their products or services.
So, you must be wondering How are we supporting small businesses as one of the #smalliz100 champions?
This Small Business Saturday we are supporting small businesses by curating a list of SMALL, SMALLER and the SMALLEST businesses we admire and love buying from. The below small businesses are a mix of our team’s personal favourites, as well as those we know and are proud to call our clients. Please check out their websites, follow them on Instagram, and if you really love their products, treat yourself to something!
Small, Smaller, and the Smallest Businesses we admire and love buying from:
Beauty
Mirror Water – Bodycare designed for your downtime.
Liha – Uncomplicated sensory skincare.
Lovely Mama – Inspiring kindness, celebrating every woman.
Maison Matine - Graphic, sustainable and generous perfumes.
Wildflower – Handmade luxuries that do not cost the earth.
Hetkinen – There is never too much attention given to the hands.
Bastille - Natural fragrances for free spirits.
Lifestyle
Lifestory - A destination for lovers of Scandinavian design and lifestyle.
Bravery Mag - Get inspired by REAL women who have done REAL things.
USTUDIO - Glorious goodies from freethinking and individualistic brands.
Sustainable Home Goods - Fairtrade and ethically sourced home decor
SUN.DAY - Botanical candles for an ethereal sense of balance
PRIOR Shop - not-for-profit independent shop and workshop
Aery Living - Beautiful products designed to enhance your wellbeing
BAM - A non-profit indie store in the heart of Easton.
TEKLA - Made to be lived in and made to last.
Mon Pote - Bringing you the best homewares online.
Breeglo - Soy wax candles in handmade ceramics.
Poppou Design - The natural beauty and craftsmanship of solid wood furniture.
Fashion
Lucy and Yak – Colourful & Cosy.
Wonther – Made for everyone.
Baukjen - Designed for Good.
Lilja the Label - Leading the change that is needed in the fashion world.
Alohas – Bridging the gap between fast fashion and sustainability.
Natalia Jaroszewska – Dresses that truly unfurl the wings of a woman.
VAI-KO - Ecological merino wool accessories.
Joanie - Fun, Feel-good & Fair.
We hope that you’ve found some new favourite small businesses to support and buy from.
We really enjoyed curating the above list. If you have a favourite small business that you think should be part of our curated list, please send us their web url or social media link via the button below, and we’ll be sure to add them on!
PS. Remember to subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about our giveaway. We are giving away great tools & strategic direction for a small business owner!
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