11/28/2022
A huge thank you to everyone that’s popped by the shop so far in the past couple of weeks! Your dedication to preserving local does not go without much gratitude!❤️❤️❤️
This year has been hard on everyone, and small businesses, especially manufacturers have been hit hard- our costs have risen dramatically (the general current inflation rate of 10% would be a godsend for us, with many supplies now costing 30%- 200% more than they did a year ago), meanwhile we haven’t increased our prices accordingly, because we know that we already have to charge more than the big brands and we don’t like it.
On top of that, sales have been down for everyone- at markets, those who exclusively wholesale, and for retailers. We’re worried, we’re stressed, and we’re afraid. We don’t have the funds to put into marketing, and are cutting back on staff (during the holidays, which is baffling).
We’re having to reduce the amount of products and supplies we order, which leads to a vicious spiral- we’re paying more by ordering smaller volumes, plus when customers don’t see what they’re wanting, they go elsewhere (often a big box store), further reducing sales.
We see businesses closing and wonder if we’re next and how that will affect our family’s futures.
We know that you too, have taken a hit to your budget this year and are more hesitant to pay more, even for the things you believe in. You’re unsure of your future too.
❤️Small businesses are “heart work”- a combo of the love that goes into what we do, as well as the “hard work” (I think it’s clever!😊)
We’re passionate humans. We want to see a better, more equitable world, and we sincerely care about our customers and the quality of our products.
But we need you. More than ever. More than in the past 2 years. On behalf of all the small, locally owned businesses- as much as you can, shop small, shop local, and preserve your local economy- because a Walmart world is a very sad one indeed.
(Head over to my stories for a link to a insightful article on what many of us small businesses are going through right now)
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