Small Businesses To Support During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Ever since this pandemic started really taking off in North America, we’ve heard a lot about how small businesses are going to be the ones to suffer the most during this time & at the end of this, and that is absolutely true. I’ve already heard a few businesses talk about how they don’t know if they’re even going to be able to re-open after all of this is over, and that truly breaks my heart. If you’ve read my blog before, you know that I love supporting small businesses, and I’m lucky enough to be a brand ambassador for one incredible Canadian small business.
I’ve compiled this list of small businesses that I love, and am doing my best to support during this time. They’re organized into four categories – Accessories, Clothing, Body + Self Care & Home Decor. If you have the means to shop small businesses during this time, I highly encourage you to do so, and even order take out from time-to-time from some local restaurants!
Accessories
Allette & Co
One of my absolute favourite small businesses to support is Allette & Co – I can’t even begin to tell you how many of Allison’s gorgeous scrunchies I have in my collection! I came across Allette & Co last summer when she was apart of the JH x Etsy Summer Collection, and I fell in love instantly when I got my leopard print & mustard yellow scrunchies in the mail. Allette & Co is also currently selling non-medical grade fabric masks if you are looking for one!
Freon Collective
Another great small business to support is Freon Collective. I first purchased from Freon Collective last year when I was looking for re-usable cotton pads to remove my make up, and an added bonus was also that they come in so many cute patterns & colours. Freon Collective is also currently selling non-medical grade fabric masks.
Gemma by Design
If you love natural textures & colours in your jewelry, Gemma by Design is a great small business to check out. Ashley is such a kind person, and creates lovely pieces that look great individually, stacked together & even combined with other pieces of jewelry in your collection.
My favourite part about this recipe is that the toppings add a little bit of texture to the smoothie, so it doesn’t taste like you’re just eating a smoothie with a spoon, hahaha. Let me know in the comments below if you tried making it & what you think – and I’m curious, what are your favourite smoothie bowls? I’m a big fan of them, so I’m always open to learning other people’s favourites too!
Clothing
BBxCollection
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, BBxCollection is the brand that I am so lucky to be a ambassador for. Megan is definitely one of the most driven, hard working people I’ve ever met. She creates such cute & unique clothing items, but my favourite items from BBxCollection are the items that have the most sass, like the Forever Out of Fu*ks sweater, which I practically live in!
Gentle Fawn
This is a brand that I very recently just discovered but instantly fell in love with all of the items that they sell! I found Gentle Fawn through… wait for it… Jillian Harris, hahaha, on her Instagram stories last week wearing the Alden Sweater that Gentle Fawn sells. It’s definitely a bit more on the pricier side of affordability, but it fills my heart with warmth knowing I’m supporting a small Canadian business.
Smash + Tess
One of absolute favourite brands that I discovered through Jillian Harris is Smash + Tess! My favourite part about Smash + Tess is that everything is made in Canada, by people making a living wage. Their items are a little more expensive due to this, but morally, it makes me feel good knowing I’m supporting a brand who employs people in Canada to create their products.
Body + Self Care
Luna Bronze
If you’ve never heard of Luna Bronze before, well I’m here to introduce them to you! Luna Bronze has an incredible back story of two best friends who grew up (& still live) in Australia, spending their lives out in the sun tanning, until one of them ended up developing a form of skin cancer (don’t worry, she’s okay now!), and knew they wanted to create a product that could provide that sunny glow, without the bad side effects of cancer & premature skin aging. I personally have their Tanning Moisturizer, and it’s the perfect amount of colour for my extremely pale skin tone. Their products are cruelty-free, vegan & made in Australia.
Milk Jar Candle Co.
Another brand that I discovered through Jillian Harris is Milk Jar Candle Co. I got one of their limited Jilly candles in my Spring 2020 Jilly Box as an add on, and the smell is so good! But my favourite thing about Milk Jar Candle Co is that they donate $1 from every sale to a non-profit G.R.I.T., who support children with disabilities. They also are completely clean-burning candles, and if you live in Calgary, you can return the jar your candle came in when it’s empty to help save the planet.
Surf Soak.
I’d love to tell you that this brand isn’t another I found through Jillian Harris, but that’d be a lie, haha. In the Spring 2020 Jilly Box, a limited edition bag of Surf Soak. Ylang Ylang bath salts came in it, and I recently tried it out, and oh wow, Jillian wasn’t kidding when she said that it smells like Hawai'i! I was so in love with the scent of the bath salts, I ordered the bigger bottle that is temporarily available on their website for purchase.
Home Decor
The Cross Decor & Design
If you saw my blog post on Friday, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of The Cross Decor & Design for home decor. They sell a wide variety of items including furniture & home decor for the bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen & dining. Again, this is a brand that’s a bit more on the expensive side, but there are some affordable items for everyone available on their website.
Rainsford Company
Lastly, but of course not least, one of my favourite places to get inspiration for home decor is Rainsford Company. Last year I purchased one of their market tote bags and I’m seriously obsessed with it, but when I was looking through the rest of the website, I fell in love with the selection of rustic, boho & farmhouse style items that they sell.
Is there any other small businesses that you’re doing your best to support during this time? I’m always open to finding new small businesses to shop from, especially if they’re Canadian, so drop some shops in the comments below. See you again on Friday for a new post, xo.
