Ever since I can remember, I have always loved buying products from small businesses.
I find it very easy to get enthusiastic about buying delicious cheeses from a local farm or a fragrant honey from not so faraway hills. I get excited about buying rosewater made in the gardens and small farms of Bulgaria. But why? The answer lies in my love for people and their stories and for the people who are passionate about what they do. For me, passion and authenticity shines! There is something really appealing about buying a uniquely crafted product full of soul and heart, that has been made with passion and not solely for profits. So where possible, if I have the choice, I love to shop small.
The quality of a handmade products is usually second to none. There is a level of care and attention to detail that is sometimes missing from a mass produced product. If you’re buying food, you are rewarded with heaps of flavour and exceptional taste. Whether you are buying locally made bread or a cold process natural soap – you’re buying into something that is visionary and authentic. These kind of products shout self expression and individuality. I urge you to seek out the producers in your local area so you’re not missing out.
One of my favourite parts of shopping small is learning about the people behind the products. Every small business comes with an innovative story of inspiring people and their journey infuses meaning into their produce or handicrafts. By buying their products we buy into their story, their choices and their vision for the future. I love being a part of such an inspiring community.
You can also usually be assured of great customer service. In fact you may get the opportunity to speak directly to the people who made your goods, gifts or foods! You will learn more about your purchase and feel greater connection by being a little bit closer to the goods and gifts you buy. Being part of a small business, I love being able to talk to our family of customers and feel grateful to be able to share our ethics through our products.
Every purchase from a small business, supports a dream and an ethos. Not only are you supporting your local economy, you are also supporting the values and ideals that your local producer holds dear. Together we can create a healthy, happy circle of connection that benefits everyone who joins it. So rather than choose something bland or mass produced, why not try out something smaller, more wholesome, and possibly a bit closer to home? You won’t regret it.
I hope you enjoy finding out about the amazing people and producers on your own doorstep!
Here are just a few of my favourites that you might like to visit:
- Amazing and delicious cheeses by Caws Cenarth and the Snowdonia Cheese Company
- Natural, organic and family produced wines by Wrights Food Emporium and Buonvino
- A selection of fresh, organic and local produce from Watson and Pratts
- Ethically reared goat’s milk from Ellie’s Dairy in Kent
- Organic Mushrooms from Maesyffin in the Teifi Valley
- Honeys from home and away at Hilltop Honey and Tropical Forest Honey
- Live and unpasteurised Welsh mountain cider from the heart of Wales
Happy shopping,
Lindsey x