How are you going to Support and Shop Local this Small Business Saturday?
At DigiKind, we are community builders. We do this by using digital tools that empower us, hence our name:
There are many ways we can all be sustainable, ethical consumers and businesses. We can work together to support our local community to be resilient, no matter what challenges come our way.
We are dedicated to helping rejuvenate our local communities by creating a digital ecosystem that is supported by people who love it and nurture it, support each other, empower each other, and champion their local.
As a Small Biz 100, we are proud to support our local communities and British businesses. That's why we created this guide. It's our round up of some of the innovative small businesses, non-profits, councils, business improvement districts and well, superstars we've been fortunate enough to meet this year. If we've missed anyone, please help us to add your favourites to our guide. (We've seen a lot of amazing content - please help us and share your favourites in each section.) 😀
Get inspired, Shop Local, Share the Love
We hope you will join us by visiting the profiles we have shared, liking what you see, and sharing our gift giving guide as we celebrate Small Business Saturday and every day. Our guide is organised into the following sections:
Artists | Digital Innovators | Charities | Empowerment | Handmade | Sustainability
The Artists
We believe that art can rejuvenate our high streets. What is the value of street art and artists? Why do we need it in our daily lives? From symbolising freedom and independence - to helping to define a sense of a place and identity, art also helps to build community. We admire the work of community builders, like In Good Company Leeds and others who bring life to our communities.
We first learned of this wonderful artist during lockdown: Steve McCracken (his amazing kingfisher is pictured here, and is available for purchase on Steve's website). He's one of the coolest, kindest people we know and we are proud to feature him along with these artists who have and continue to inspire us. Will you join us in celebrating artists? Street artists, traditional artists, all the artists.
This Small Business Saturday, we support artists.
Digital Innovators
Innovative cities and towns are investing in creative tech tools to engage and empower people. By listening to residents, tourists and businesses, and then implementing their ideas, people will be more likely to support their high streets.
We have seen brilliant examples of digital innovation and encouraging local businesses, non-profits and governments to create new experiences for their customers to include both online and offline shopping experiences, investing in their local community, and placemaking. We celebrate the work of the Business Improvement Districts, like those in Bath, Bristol, Dorking, Exeter, Hammersmith, Norwich and more.
Here are just a few of the innovators we've seen this year - be sure to follow, like, share on Small Business Saturday. Get inspired!
Learn more about our engagement with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, called My Royal Borough, pictured here.
Charities + Do Good
Supporting Local can also mean coaching and sharing your time, experience and knowledge with a cause that matters to you. We love to support, provide training, and mentoring at nonprofits that make a difference.
We are big believers in giving back and supporting young people, small businesses and organisations that "do good". That’s why we provide free training and advisory services to nonprofits like Uprising UK.
And if you've got a person on your list who has "got everything" why not give the gift that keeps on giving? Plant a tree. Or five. Or ten. Or a hectare. It is entirely up to you. Learn how you can to just that with the National Trust. We gifted saplings in honour of a dear friend this year and it was really well-received.
What are some of your favourite charities or those who are doing good? Here are some of ours:
Illustration: Kathy Kyle Bonomini for Our Bright Future
Empowerment
Supporting local builds community, which improves our feelings of belonging and a sense of ownership and pride in our local area. We are proud to feature inspirational, innovative businesses who are game changers.
There are so many small businesses who are brave, bold and empowering. Their stories motivate us and inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves. We salute you.
Meet those who keep it real and empower us, not just on Small Business Saturday but all the live long day.
Bristol Shopping - featuring the Indies 👏
Moo Like a Monkey (Also Sustainable)
Valiant Lingerie (Also Sustainable)
Handmade | Artisans
How can we work together and support each other? Think BIG and Shop Small. We've seen brilliant innovation and collaboration happening all over the UK and we are here for it.
At the multi-award winning DJV Ipswich, among her many brilliant ideas to increase footfall to her shop, she collaborates with other independents to help all businesses succeed. She reserves space in her indie shop for independent sellers, local artisans, vintage sellers, makers and creators. Fantastic.
Here are a few more makers, potters, painters and calligraphers whom we admire and whose artisanal treasures will hopefully find their way to your homes this Christmas.
The Dartmoor Artist (Could go in a few sections, really!)
The Gilliangladrag Fluff-a-Torium
Photo Credit: Trish Macharla
Sustainable Businesses
Are you a sustainable business, or looking to be more eco-friendly? We've met and are inspired by many Small Biz 100's this year, like Blue Patch, a directory of sustainable makers across the UK. They work hard to connect shops with ethical makers. 💚
Going sustainable can start with little actions, from all of us. Be sure to check out our recent interview with Cucumber Clothing, where they shared their sustainability journey with our client's local businesses as part of our comprehensive training programme. Read our lessons learned or watch the playback here.
Ultimately shopping locally reduces our carbon footprint. When we shop with local makers who source locally and employ local staff, it's a great start on a journey to sustainability and achieving net zero targets.
Here are a few of the sustainable businesses who have inspired us in 2021. Give them a shout and have a look at their ideas and goodies for your sustainable holiday shop.
Totem Tea Shop (also available at Renee's Health Food)
Top Tips on Small Business Saturday and Every Day
✅ Shop Local. Shopping Locally reduces your carbon footprint. Shop with makers who source locally and employ local staff.
✅ Partner with ethical makers, like Blue Patch, a directory of sustainable makers across the UK.
✅ Reserve space in your shop for independent sellers, local artisans, vintage sellers, makers and creators. If you're a bigger shop, make room for the independents.
✅ Swap services. The UK Swap Shop is a good place to start for this. Trade your services for stuff you need or want to give.
✅ Don't want to consume "stuff"? Shop Local and gift experiences, events, shows, music and vouchers. You can buy all of these goodies locally, too.
✅ Collaborate with like-minded partners, create pop ups shops and support the "place" -- everyone wins.
✅ Evaluate your supply chain decisions and make sure your products align with your values and impact on the environment.
✅ Create a circular economy. Upscale, reuse, shop slow, shop second hand and vintage. Mix it into your shopping vocabulary. Decide whether you need your purchase, and if you need it, do you need it new? And remember there are brilliant small businesses who offer innovative upcycling and recycling options. Treasures abound! Check out Cucumber Clothing’s Loan-To-Own Revolution for inspiration.
✅ Be kind to yourself and each other. Ultimately small businesses are all working hard to thrive and innovate. The past few years have been challenging on so many levels. Find opportunities in obstacles. Disruption usually brings innovation. So be kind and remember that we are all in this together. 🌿🌿🌿
✅ Do you have a "Buy Local" Shopping List? We do - check it out! From Self-Care, Pet-friendly lists, kid's toys to local restaurants and cafes — we created this one for our client at #MyRoyalBorough. Check out our #IndiesAtoZ campaign too and join in!
✅ Join Small Business Britain's Small Business Saturday campaign and engage with the amazing network of brilliant, wonderful businesses.
✅ And we can't say this enough: meet the Small Business 100. We have been featuring them all on our digital channels (what an inspirational bunch)!
Our independence is a good thing.
Remember that our "smallness" gives us freedom and agility. When we decide to do something, we do it. We can pivot without permission. After all, independence is synonymous with freedom. So go for it. You can find more resources, lessons learned, and best practices to inspire you at DigiKind.