Posted on January 14 2021
MASS CONSUMERISM IS ON THE RISE, AND MAINSTREAM BUSINESSES HAVE BECOME TOO BIG TO FAIL. INEVITABLY, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE WORKING HARDER THAN EVER FOR RECOGNITION, WITH CLOSURES INCREASING DUE TO THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT.
By: Amanda Mansoorbakht
Note: WOC abbreviation refers to woman of color
Instead of putting more cash in billionaire Jeff Bezos’ wallet, I choose to solely support small, WOC-owned businesses. Here are five reasons why you should too!
1. NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL
Black and brown people are frequently left out of mainstream marketing. However, unlike larger corporations, small WOC-owned businesses don’t turn a profit by adhering to eurocentric ideals. As a result, these businesses rather prioritize inclusivity and sustainability, creating products for a much wider range of bodies and lifestyles. Therefore, by simply spending our money on it, we create a demand for unique products that don’t see white, cisgendered, heterosexual bodies as the standard.
2. SUPPORT A WOMAN OF COLOR'S VISION
By supporting these smaller businesses, you are supporting a marginalized woman’s creative life. By encouraging women of color to create more, we can move closer to a society that fully accepts a diverse range of creative perspectives and cultures. Additionally, women supporting women in business is healthy for any young girl to see. By choosing these businesses over big box companies, we are consciously investing in the ideas of the underrepresented, passionate, and massively creative.
3. QUALITY IN EVERY PACKAGE
How lovely does it feel to receive a personalized handwritten note from a seller? This level of thoughtfulness and customer care is unique to small businesses. To compete with large corporations, small businesses always go the extra mile. Small businesses understand the importance of good reviews online, which means you can expect beautiful packaging and quick shipping.
4. COMMUNITY, NOT BUSINESS
Small business owners don’t just have a business, they see a community. They rely heavily on feedback and frequently keep in contact with customers to find fresh ways to evolve. This means your experience with their products or services can have a great impact on how they approach future content. This level of interconnectedness is hardly seen in larger corporations, who merely view customers as target markets, key demographics, and dollar signs.
5. PAID WHAT THEY DESERVE
We must pay women of color what they deserve. So by consciously investing your dollars in WOC businesses, you help reject the notion that women of color must rely on cheap labor to survive. This holiday season and beyond, by only shopping small and WOC-owned, we can choose small over large. Quality over expediency. And our hardworking, passionate sisters over some untouchable billionaire asshole.
Amanda Mansoorbakht is an intersectional feminist and copywriter from El Monte California. Follow her on Instagram.
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