Blog — Business
4th Birthday Message, Pandemic Edition
Business Covid-19 Local Business Local Economy Minnesota Retail Shop Local Small Business Spoils of Wear St. PaulI let the store’s 4th birthday pass this weekend without acknowledgment or celebratory sale like previous years. It didn't feel right for a few reasons that I don't feel inclined to explain right now.
People are so kind to ask how the store is doing in all of this, and the short(er) answer is two-fold:
It's Not Really for the Garment Worker
Business Ethical Fashion Fair Trade Fashion Revolution Shop Local Shop Small Sustainable Fashion
My instagram feed is flooded with "Secondhand September" posts. I LOVE shopping vintage and secondhand (even carved out a few hours next week specifically for it - wanna come?). It's a great thing. Keep that stuff out of the landfill or incinerator for as long as possible and "save" your wallet and the planet some grief at the same time. You are winning and Mother Nature approves. You are not wrong. You you you. Me me me. However, I can't help but notice an element of this campaign some (not all) ethical/sustainable fashion "influencers" are using that simply doesn't jive. In fact, it drives me batty (rhymes with catty).
Words < Money
Business Ethical Fashion Fair Trade Fashion Revolution Sustainable Fashion
Thank you for your enthusiasm over sustainable fashion, but unless that enthusiasm is backed with green this movement is on a treadmill to nowheresville.
What's Next
Business Ethical Fashion Fair Trade Fashion Revolution Local Business Local Economy Minnesota Retail Shop Local Shop Small Small Business Spoils of Wear Sustainable Boutique Sustainable Fashion
Business year 2 is coming to a close. I want to reflect on a year of growth and accomplishment, but that wouldn't feel very truthful. It was another really challenging year, with a few positive moments that seemed to show up just in the knick of time.
Why It Matters to Shop Small
Business Ethical Fashion Local Business Local Economy Minnesota Retail Shop Local Shop Small Small Business Spoils of Wear St. Paul Sustainable Boutique Sustainable Fashion Twin Cities
But my goal here is to point out what is perhaps not as obvious: shopping small is for the benefit of everyone, owner and shopper alike. Believe it or not, there aren't enough people who like me enough and/or make enough money to shop at my store solely for my sake. Counting on those few people would be unfair, irresponsible, and unsustainable. So, now that my selfish motives have been addressed, let's go shopping (small).