I’ve worked for small businesses pretty much my whole life. It’s an odd brag that I’ve never had a laminated badge, spoken with HR, or taken an elevator to my job. The only “corporate” job I ever had was as a waitress at a bar that was owned by a conglomerate company- shout out to Fred P. Ott’s in KC! I started working in jewelry in 1994 after college, and all for small family owned custom jewelry shops.
I know it takes a special kind of person to decide to own their own business and it truly gave me pause when I was thinking about starting Glitter and Gold. But I felt that the time was right, and I had a vision for my studio that wasn’t going to happen elsewhere. And though I knew better and had reservations, I went for it.
After 4+ years of G&G behind me, I can say that I didn’t really know the highs and lows of small business ownership until now. It’s been amazing: new clients that have become friends and the many new jewelry creations, repairs, restorations, and upcycled family heirlooms that have brought joy and tears of happiness. Getting to be there for so many milestones in my clients lives is amazing! And now, I’m making jewelry for the grandchildren of past clients! How cool is that!?!
In spite of these incredible highs, the lows of running a business are there too, and in some ways that I didn’t expect. Of course, there is the pressure of rising material costs, insurance, rent, taxes, maintenance, hidden costs, marketing, and getting qualified help in all of these areas. And don’t get me started on the telemarketing and junk emails promising to loan me $75k at ridiculous interest rates or spam offers to “fix my website” and drive more sales, etc…. Small business ownership is simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting!
Like me, you are perhaps seeing local businesses show up in desperation on GoFundMe, or on social media “save this business,’ etc. I’ve been reflecting on how big-box stores and Amazon will never have a GoFundMe campaign. While the big guys can dominate with “pay per click” Google placement and big marketing campaigns, small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities. Small businesses create more local and higher paying jobs, they sponsor neighborhood sports teams & arts events, they bring in sales tax revenue to support our local economies, and they are working overtime to make sure that they are stocked up for the holidays with new and interesting products and services. Small business also promote alternative types of work, makers, artists, writers, and creatives. And we hire accountants, bookkeepers, cleaners, subcontractors, and local vendors. Your dollars spent on a local level really does “trickle down”.
My daughter Rose and I have a holiday tradition that goes back 10+ years: Up to last year, it was in Winslow, on Bainbridge island. Last year, we did West Seattle, as I had just moved there. We shop at our local neighborhood stores, and make a day of it, and I mean a whole day…lunch, snacks, and dinner. We go into every single store, and can usually do 90% of our gift list locally. We also drop hints to one another, and then do our “sneaky” double back to grab those special gifts, which is all part of the fun!
If you had told me that first year that I should “shop local” and not online or the big-box stores, I would have laughed… “The local shops are too expensive, they don’t have the stuff my family members will like,” etc…. But year after year, it has worked! I was blown away by how many cool things each store had that I hadn’t expected. And often each shop had the owner behind the counter, who knew their products well and chose quality items I was proud to gift. Rather than reading product reviews until my eyes crossed, I could hold it, ask questions, and learn more about where it was from.
And guess what? Small businesses don’t need thousands of new customers to make their businesses thrive. They may just need a few hundred people who support them over the year, loyal customers who refer them, shop with them, and interact on social media. Even a dozen new people during the holidays is all it takes! For many small businesses, the month of December is a “make or break” month…. So every dollar you spend locally, no matter the amount, actually has a HUGE impact!
So in this… interesting world we are in right now, it might feel like we can’t make an impact. I know I’ve felt that my voice is small in the face of the Goliaths out there… But we absolutely can make a big difference with our support on a local level. Not as a “boycott Amazon”, or “vote with your dollars” kind of way. It doesn’t have to be that big. Just looking local first, seeing what offerings your neighborhood businesses have this year, is a step in the right direction. Support artists and makers by visiting art markets, craft shows, galleries, and even church bazaars. Even if you don’t spend a lot of money you can make an impact by sharing what you see on social media and through Google reviews. I can speak from personal experience that I am thrilled when folks tag me on Instagram, or when a new review pops up!
I absolutely love what I do, and feel so blessed that somehow, 31 years into my career, I get to make wearable art every day! I’m forever grateful to my mentors, teachers, and clients that have guided me in this very unique occupation. The support that they have all given me made me take the leap to open Glitter & Gold, and I’m so glad I did!
Let’s keep in touch!
What ways are you shopping local and small? What are your favorite small businesses?
(Bonus points for West Seattle since I just moved there!)
What treasures have you found locally that you want to show off?