How To Support Small Businesses From Home

 We’re living in some truly unprecedented times right now, and I think it’s safe to say it’s a bit scary! With that being said, I’m trying to keep a sense or normalcy in my life right now. I’m also trying to do what I can to help other small businesses during this time. I wanted to share a topic that’s been at the forefront of my mind lately: how to support small businesses from home.

I’ve had the incredible privilege of discovering and working with some pretty amazing small businesses through this unconventional job of mine. And now more than ever, they need our support.

If you can afford to shop small, excellent! I’m curating a list, at the bottom of this post, featuring tons of small businesses (a large number are local to Houston), but will continue to add more to this running list. But if you’re not in a position to be able to shop right now, don’t worry. I’ve got a few tips that can make just as big of an impact!

How to Support Small Businesses from Home

Like their social media posts, share those posts and tag others! 

Spending more time than usual on your social media mindlessly scrolling? Turn that mindlessness into action! Go through and like brands, restaurants, bloggers social media posts and leave comments. Share the ones you love and tag others so they can see the posts too. Such a simple, yet impactful, way to help small businesses without ever leaving your home.

Leave a Facebook, Google or Yelp review detailing why and what you love about the business. 

Did you know a lot of small businesses and family-owned restaurants thrive on reviews? Positive reviews not only help the business potentially attract new customers, but can also help their ranking on Google. For example, leaving positive Google reviews for a business, helps Google rank the business higher in search engine results. Even just 2-3 sentences sharing a positive aspect can help. And it only takes a few minutes or less.

If you own something from a small business, wear it or use it at home! Share it on your Instagram stories or via a Facebook photo and tag the brand! 

Another super simple way to help get the word out about small businesses from home. Snap a picture of yourself wearing a piece from the small business and post it on Facebook, tagging the brand! If you like to post to Instagram stories, share something from home with your followers. For example, I have a coffee mug with a great saying on it, so whenever I use it, I’ll post a photo of the mug with a tag for the brand. A simple way to share the brand and get others clicking!

Simply send a message or two to your favorite small businesses on Instagram or Facebook and thank them. 

If the above suggestions are still too much, then simply send a thank you to your favorite small business or restaurant. Log onto Facebook and send them a message. Don’t have social media? Most businesses have an inquiry page on their website, send them an email with a thank you showing your support. A little snippet of positivity can go a long way!

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Here’s a running list of small businesses that are online and easy to shop or support from home. Let me know if I’m missing any of your favorites in the comments.

Beauty + Fashion

à bientôt // Free shipping with code: SHIP4FREE at checkout

Ann Mashburn // 20% off entire site with code: PREVAIL plus free shipping

Charlie Fresh Activewear // Entire site is 30% off with code: GIVEBACK at checkout

Cotidie Clothing // See this previous blog post featuring Cotidie clothing here

Crab & Cleek // Get 10% off and give back 10% off with code: STAYATHOME at checkout

Duffield Lane // Use code: SHOPSMALL for 10% off your entire purchase

Emilia Collection // Shop sale items and 100% off your purchase will be donated to local, family-owned restaurants in Houston, plus free shipping

Hunter Bell // 30% off the new spring collection with code: GRATEFUL30 at checkout

Jude Connally // Offering different sales, including 25% off all tops with code: TOPITOFF at checkout

Lake Pajamas // Free 2-day shipping on all orders over $50

Mirth // 20% off entire site through the month of March

Neely & Chloe // Stay at home sale, 30-70% off sitewide

Persifor // 25% off sitewide with code: BRIGHT25 at checkout

Sail to Sable // Free ground shipping on all orders

Saint Bernard // A Texas favorite, tons of finds for her, him and kids.

Switch2Pure // Local Houston clean beauty shop, love their CBD beauty products

Truffle // Enjoy 25% off your entire purchase with code: SUNSHINE at checkout

Willow Park Boutique // Take 35% off sitewide with code: THANKYOU35 at checkout

Jewelry 

Asha // 15% off sitewide, plus free shipping. Use code: MEALS15 at checkout

Golden Thread // 20% off sitewide with code: COMMUNITY at checkout

Goldenstrand Jewelry // 20% off orders with code: SPRING at checkout

Le Mel // Free shipping on ALL United States orders

Lisi Lerch // 30% off jewelry and sale items.

Mignonne Gavigan // Use code: WFH20 to enjoy 20% off select styles

QuayL Designs // Use code: SPRING for 10% off your purchase at checkout

Home Decor + Gifts + Etc.

Bering’s Hardware // Curbside pickup available!

Biscuit Home // Free shipping on all orders and 50% off pajamas

Blue Willow Bookshop // Order books online or if you’re local in Houston, call and place an order for curbside pick up

Emerson Sloan // Free shipping with code: BYECORONA at checkout

Genieology Candles // Some of my favorite candles, locally made in Houston

Manor // Join the newsletter and get 15% off your first order

Mostess Box // Shop a curated line of boxes for staying at home. For each box purchased, $5 will be donated to Meals on Wheels America

Paloma & Co. // 20% off accessories with code: ACCESSORIES20 at checkout

Renovate Houston // My favorite neighborhood home and gift spot. Curbside pickup and delivery (within a certain mile radius) available.

River Oaks Bookstore // A local Houston bookshop that has a variety of reads to keep you occupied

The Monogram Shop // Offering 20% off everything through the end of March. Curbside pickup available

Waiting on Martha // Use code: FREESHIP20 at checkout for free shipping

Men’s Fashion 

Beafish Designs // Some great gift ideas for men, locally designed in Houston.

Paris Texas Apparel Co. // Free shipping on all orders at this time

Sid Mashburn // 20% off sitewide with code: PREVAIL at checkout

Tecovas // See Rick’s favorite Tecovas boots in this blog post.

Small businesses 

Ashley’s Cakes // A family friend owns this local Houston-area bakery. Ashley made the groom’s cake for our wedding! The bakery is doing drive-thru pickup.

Advanced Living Environments // Shameless plug for my husband’s home renovation and remodeling business! Have a home project you’re thinking about tackling? Give him a call and mention this blog post for an exclusive discount.

Bodyrock Pilates // Another local Houston workout studio I enjoy. Offering virtual classes!

Contracts for Creatives // My friend and fellow blogger, Ashlee, can help with your contractual needs if you have some questions on contracts that may have issues due to cancellations, postponements, etc.

Define Studios // One of my favorite workout studios in town! Define is streaming classes to do from home, too.

MHCO Bakery // One of my dear friends owns a small bakery business and is extremely talented. Book her for future cakes! You can see one of her amazing cakes in this previous blog post.

Revolution Studios // Buy a gift card, get a bonus $ amount offer running now!