Small businesses make up an important part of our economy that we can’t afford to lose. They have a way of bringing joy to shoppers that can’t be replicated by big box stores or chains and make our neighborhoods truly feel like home and they put money directly back into our communities. At Next Insurance, supporting small businesses isn’t just something we do, it’s part of our DNA. That’s why we created a holiday gift guide to showcase some of our amazing customers so shoppers can join us in our supporting entrepreneurs in their communities and beyond.
The holiday season is when many retailers and service providers make most of their money for the year. And while there are events in place like Small Business Saturday designed to promote local shopping, Covid-19 has had such an immense impact on business viability and profitability that more support than usual is needed. Many physical storefronts may still be closed and some businesses have pivoted to rely heavily on e-commerce sales. With this in mind, we hope that our first small business holiday gift guide, which highlights a few of our wonderful small business customers, will give readers unique gift ideas — which can all be purchased online.
While this season will likely be less doorbusting at midnight and more online shopping from home, there are still ways to engage with small businesses even if you can’t shop in person. In fact, 92% of small businesses pivoted their strategies* by June 2020, with 58% adopting a new online delivery channel and 40% offering a new virtual service. There’s no denying the convenience of purchasing goods on Amazon Prime, but right now there is a necessity in taking the extra time to research and support small businesses in your area who are doing everything they can to survive.
With the variety of goods featured in our guide, you’ll be sure to find something personalized and unique for everyone on your list. For the foodie in your life, consider a home-cooked catered meal from Sweet Tea Catering or specialized cakes in a jar from Brotha Bakes. For the adventurer or wellness enthusiast, we recommend the Wander Club’s collectible keychain travel charms or Fit Snack’s subscription wellness box. And for the fashionista or romantic in your life, check out Lou California’s jewelry and face masks, as well as The Only Rose’s everlasting flowers that last an entire year. And finally, for those who appreciate the fine craftsmanship of customized decor and furniture, Elevated Custom Design has a variety of options.
At Next Insurance, supporting small businesses isn’t just something we do, it’s part of our DNA. Earlier this year, we launched Built By Business, an initiative aimed at getting small businesses hit hard by the pandemic back to work. Now, as we move into the holidays, we want to showcase our amazing customers while also urging consumers to join us in our support of small businesses. We hope this list inspires you to give support to a segment of our economy that needs it the most, while still surprising loved ones with a gift they deserve.
Happy Holidays!
