Diedre

Small businesses don’t usually have the same level of profit as Walmart or Amazon, but they have been hit especially hard in 2020.

From lockdowns forcing them to shut down for months to people seeking delivery options that they can’t offer, they struggle to stay afloat in hard times when large retailers succeed. Now more than ever, small businesses need our support.

My husband is a farmer, and this year was really tough on his business.

April-November is the busiest time of the year because our local Farmer’s Market is in full swing. Families walk around and enjoy samples, listen to music, and purchase items from our Farmer’s Market.

Because of the quarantine, vendors were forced to do all their business online–which definitely hurt many small businesses like ours.

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s obviously helpful to buy gifts from small businesses this year. However, that’s not the only way you can help them stay open during this difficult winter.

These gestures towards small businesses will surely be appreciated, even if you won’t be spending money.

No matter your resources, you can contribute something worthwhile to a struggling entrepreneur!

Spread the Word

If you’ve purchased something from a small business in the past, show it off on social media.

Be sure to tag the business in your post and talk about why you love their products in your caption. Even if you can’t buy from them again right now, you can encourage others to do so!

Nominate Them for Awards

If your community gives awards, grants, or other recognition to businesses who are nominated for them, consider putting your favorite small business’ word out there.

If they win, they’ll reap the benefits.

If they don’t, they’ll be uplifted by the fact that someone in the community appreciates them.

Be of Service

Do you know how to design graphics or websites? Do you have publicity connections? Can you provide another kind of service to a small business for free?

If so, make yourself available to a small business that wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford something they need. You can even use the experience to boost your resume!

Buy Stocking Stuffers & Gifts for All Occasions

Stocking stuffers tend to be less expensive than large gifts, so you can buy more than one. When you give them to your loved ones, include a business card from the store you bought them from.

You can also purchase gifts as well as gift cards for various small businesses.

If customers don’t purchase items, then small businesses will be forced to close.

Send Out Holiday Cards

Even if you don’t think a business owner would recognize you, include them on your holiday card mailing list. On the card, thank them for all that they do for your community or how much their work means to you.

Heartfelt messages don’t need to be reserved for loved ones, so don’t be afraid of sending some to a few new people this season.

Donate to Their GoFundMe, Kickstarter, or Patreon

Some businesses use online fundraising platforms to recover from losses or support new projects. This is especially true for artists and small startups.

If you have a few dollars to spare, consider donating to a business’ fundraising campaign. If you can’t donate, tell others about the fundraiser on social media – it will still help.

Whether you have money, skills, or encouragement to give to small businesses, any support you can offer is worth giving this holiday season.

After all, your favorite department stores aren’t shutting down, but your favorite local shop, artist, or independent sellers might have to.

 

Your support may help a business stay open for a little while longer!

Have you ever tried pumpkin eggnog?

I’m a pumpkin spice everything kind of girl and I’m not ashamed.

My birthday is September 27th, and I live for all things fall. I was more into sweet potato than pumpkin until my adult years.

And then I wondered why it took me so long.

One of my favorite drinks that I enjoy during the holidays is eggnog. Couple that with pumpkin and I am in heaven!!

This pumpkin eggnog recipe is perfect as a stand-alone drink, or as a creamer for your coffee.

Take the flavor up a notch by purchasing as many items as you can from your local farmers (check out your local farmer’s market).

In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar together until fluffy and it turns a pale yellow color.

Mix the pumpkin into the egg yolk and set aside.

Bring the milk, heavy cream, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice to a simmer over medium heat, whisking the entire time to prevent burning.

Once the milk mixture has simmered for a few minutes, remove it from the heat.

Ladle a bit of the milk mixture into the egg yolks until there is only a little bit of milk left.

Pour the egg yolk mixture into the pan and whisk to combine.

Place the pan back on the stove over low medium heat.

 

Whisk the entire time as you bring it back up to a low simmer or until it reaches 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove it from the heat and continue whisking until it has cooled significantly.

Pour the eggnog into a pitcher and cover with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate until cooled completely and serve with a bit of whipped topping and a dash of cinnamon.

 

Pumpkin eggnog makes the perfect drink for a holiday party, a quiet evening at home, or as a creamer for your coffee!

Print the recipe below!!

 

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Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar together until fluffy and it turns a pale yellow color. Mix the pumpkin into the egg yolk and set aside.
2. Bring the milk, heavy cream, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice to a simmer over medium heat, whisking the entire time to prevent burning.
3. Once the milk mixture has simmered for a few minutes, remove it from the heat.
4. Ladle a bit of the milk mixture into the egg yolks until there is only a little bit of milk left.
5. Pour the egg yolk mixture into the pan and whisk to combine.
6. Place the pan back on the stove over low medium heat.
7. Whisk the entire time as you bring it back up to a low simmer or until it reaches 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Remove it from the heat and continue whisking until it has cooled significantly.
9. Pour the eggnog into a pitcher and cover with plastic wrap.
10. Refrigerate until cooled completely and serve with a bit of whipped topping and a dash of cinnamon.

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I’ve seen so many friends, influencers, and acquaintances posting online lately. They want to know how to be an ally in #blacklives matter.

On one hand, it’s been so refreshing to see people of every race and nationality joining together for a common cause.

Black people need the voices of other people so that change can come–and come swiftly.

I’ve responded to numerous DM’s asking what the next steps are. White friends are afraid to speak out for fear of saying the wrong thing or receiving harsh criticism and backlash.

I got you. Here are a few easy ways that you can be an ally:

Don’t be offended by directness

Did you know that how we communicate is learned behavior that can be shaped by our culture and experiences??

I didn’t until I had people point out how direct I am and how they had to get use to my approach.

I am 37 years old and I wasn’t always vocal. I love peace and living a drama-free life, so I only brought up when I was upset when it went too far. It was unhealthy. I allowed others feelings to be more important than my own, and that often left me feeling resentful or I would boil over during a small disagreement because I spent so much time holding back. In my 30’s, I decided that I was no longer going to hold back. I was going to speak my truth (in kindness) but let people knew where I stood early on.

It was a little scary at first, but the more I did it, the more empowered I felt. Then I could really see people’s hearts. If you tell someone how you feel about something and you can have a meaningful exchange and they work on reconciling the relationship, they are worth keeping in your circle.

If they could give two you know what’s, then it’s time to let ’em go.

When your black friends are telling you point blank period how they feel, believe them. Let them have a moment of clarity and let them be transparent with you. It doesn’t have to be a scary thing. Just listen.

Stop taking criticism over system issues personally

Want to know how to be an ally?

STOP TAKING EVERY SYSTEMATIC ISSUE PERSONALLY

Over the past week or so, I’ve had to take a few breaks from social media for my own mental health.

I would see white people posting about how all cops aren’t bad because they have cops in their families. Why can’t we just say that what happened to the likes of George Floyd and so many other black men were just wrong?? Why can’t we admit that we need systematic change?

It takes the voices and actions of many to change systematic injustices that have tainted society.

Stop talking, explaining, rationalizing & just listen

Perhaps the best way to be an ally is to just listen.

Don’t say:

“Well, maybe there’s more to the story that we don’t know.”

“He/she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“He/she had a criminal background in the past.”

“We only saw part of the video.”

“Are you sure it was about race? It could’ve been something else.”

We don’t want our experiences invalidated or explained away. Please just listen.

Stop asking us how we feel

I know you have good intentions by asking, but honestly, we don’t know how we feel. Emotions are high. One minute we’re crying. The next minute we’re talking to our children and hugging them tighter. We’re in shock. We are emotionally spent.

We are grieving. Black people are not okay.

Stop making conversations awkward

If you’re my friend, we talk about life. Work, home, current events, our favorite t.v. shows.

Our world is in such a weird state right now. It almost feels like we’re in the twilight zone. Don’t suddenly make conversations weird with long awkward silences. It’s okay for you to share your feelings. It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to participate in protests if you feel led to.

Don’t be an ally, be a good human being

How can you be an ally? Show up!

Care. Be a good human being. Don’t make excuses about injustices, but look for ways to make small changes where you are.

Hear a racist joke at work? Call them out.

Notice that there are no people of color (of any other ethnicity) in your space? Do something about it!

Surround yourself with diversity at church, extracurricular activities for your kids, in the books you choose and the places you go.

Build authentic relationships with people who are different from you, and being an ally won’t seem like such a challenge. 

You’ll begin to care about the issues of people who are close to you.

Part of our indifference to change has been that people can easily turn a blind eye to issues that don’t affect them. But there is a huge problem when people are hurting all around and no one takes notice.

Keep advocating for change

In order for systematic change to come, we can’t be angry today and business as usual tomorrow. Sharing a few of your favorite black-owned shops and IG profiles isn’t enough. You have to keep widening your circle of influence and making room for others at the table. Check out  a few of these statistics from White Fragility:

Teachers: 82% White

Full-time college professors: 84% white

Owners of professional football teams: 97% white

Ten richest Americans: 100% white

US Congress: 90% White

People who directed the top 100 grossing films: 95% white

US Congress: 90% White
People who decide which TV shows we see: 93% white

People who decide which news is covered: 85% white

Now tell me we don’t need systematic change.