Happy Friday! Many people are out doing a little shopping on the craziest retail holiday of the year, otherwise known as “Black Friday.” Although I love great sale prices, I have never done any shopping on Black Friday; I’m just not brave or patient enough! When I do shop, I love supporting local, small businesses. I don’t know who said this, but it’s one of my favorite quotes: “When you buy from a small business owner, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a Mom put food on the table, a Dad pay a mortgage, or a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders-and they are the ones we strive to make happy.” Whew! Can I get an amen?!? This quote is the truth 365 days a year. Saturday, November 30, is Small Business Saturday, a day set aside to support businesses in your local community. Join me in stimulating the local economy and providing more jobs by shopping small this Saturday. Get started by checking out some of my favorite retail stores and online boutiques.
Essential Elements is one of my favorite places to shop when I’m on Chicago’s south side, the community in which I grew up. I absolutely adore Melanie Whaley and the entire EE team; the workers are both friendly and very fashionable. Also, this store has a mean shoe collection, and I love that they carry large sizes for all my curvy sisters.
My favorite boots from Essential Elements boutique.
I Love this turtle neck, it is comfortable and very slimming also from EE boutique.
I learned about Images of Culture at the ARISE Business Expo. Pam Richardson designs these cute notebooks with images of African American children, a service very rare and very important. I took one look at them and bought several for my daughters.
I’m Unique Accessories specializes in cute, ethnic accessories. Every woman must have a few statement pieces in her jewelry collection. As if my afro doesn’t say it loud and clear, I took one look at the “Black Girls Rock,” earrings, and I just had to have them! It’s funny to watch heads turn at the sight of my silver statement earrings. They are also available in additional colors and designs. Unfortunately I’m Unique Accessories does not have an e-commerce website but you can shop with her at the Third Annual Holiday Beauty Bazaar.
The QRedew is one of my favorite tools to help deep- condition my natural hair. Heidi Schmit, the owner of QRedew, sent me one to try about a year ago and since then, it has become a regular part of my weekly hair routine. I love it because it’s portable and easy to use with my daughters, too. Use code CYBERMONDAY for $10 off your order.
Thank God I’m Natural is one of my favorite Chicago-based natural hair brands. I have watched Chris-Tia grow her business from small vendor events to now being available at Walgreens. TGIN is committed to using high quality organic ingredients at affordable prices. And I love the Honey Hair Mask and the bling t-shirts!
My sister rockin’ her Thank God I’m Natural tshirt.
I hope that you get out and join me in shopping this Saturday and don’t forget there will be plenty of vendors for your shopping convenience at the Third Annual Holiday Beauty Bazaar. What is your favorite Chicago small business?
