It’s finally here...The #smallbizproject feature you’ve all been waiting for!
For those of you who haven’t been following along with this very special project via instagram, let me introduce you to the #smallbizproject!
This project started waaay back in July by my talented photographer friend Allexa Crosson, who was trying to find a way to promote community in Sacramento and those small businesses that had been hit hardest by Covid-19. So she started the #smallbizproject, where she would do small, complimentary photoshoots for local business owners who applied and share them on her page!
I myself actually got my photos taken by Allexa by participating in her project and that’s what gave me the idea to ask if I could take up the challenge as well! And thus, my leg of the #smallbizproject was born!
I had over twenty applications and ended up with a total of 16 local, female-owned businesses participate in the project and it is my honor here and now to share them all with you! So let’s roll out the red carpet because these are a bunch of kick-ass and talented ladies!!:
1. Typewriter & Moss
111 Sacramento St Space E, Auburn, CA 95603
https://www.typewriterandmoss.com/
Cleo sells, among other things, the most magical and toxin-free jewelry ever!! She originally started making clay jewelry for herself and before she knew it, others started asking for her creations too!
Cleo wants to share her passion for handmade, toxin-free goods with everyone in an effort to make an imprint on our Mother Earth as well as boost our local, small business economy!
Her adorable shop is nestled right in the heart of Old Town Auburn (my hometown, you guys!!) so next time you're in the area be sure to visit her shoppe OR find her creations online!
2. Ikon Bakery
Online Bakery
https://www.instagram.com/ikonbakery/
Meet Ikonkar! A talented baker, extremely kind soul and owner of Ikon Bakery, Ikonkar makes fully customized cakes, cupcakes, and desserts for all occasions! And her specialty is in eggless and vegan baking (and she also offers gluten-free!)
A few years ago her sister gave her a cake tool kit to try out and that’s when she got into decorating. She started making cakes for fun for family and friends and everyone loved them so much that they encouraged her to turn it into a business!
If you're in need of some baked goods like cookies, cake or cake pops for all occasions, be sure to book Ikonkar! (She makes fabulous Harry Potter cakes...just sayin’...)
3. Janna Marlies-Maron
Editing & Coaching Services
https://www.jannamarlies.com/work-with-me/
Janna is a book editor and coach who helps women find their voices and finish their books! (How cool is that??)
She also publishes a literary arts magazine called Under the Gum Tree and offers a private community for women non-fiction writers called More To the Story!
If you are in need of editing or coaching services or just love the idea of sharing your own story, I highly encourage you to reach out to Janna to help you realize your dreams!
4. Amour Florist & Bridal
6840 65th St #145, Sacramento, CA 95828
Mary is a full-service florist who specializes in weddings and life events and loves to help bring joy to people with the beauty of flowers! She originally wanted to teach middle/high school. But when she finally earned her teaching credentials in 2007 the economy hit a recession so schools were laying off teachers and closing up schools.
She thought about her side job of helping family and friends with flowers and decor for their events and that’s when she decided to open up her shop!
Amour Florist & Bridal usually takes part in an average of 120 plus events a year, but due to Covid, more than 80% of their events have been either postponed or canceled. To combat this, Mary has started offering virtual workshops and online tutorials via instagram and Youtube to share her 20+ years of floral design knowledge!
She is also offering curbside pick-ups and no-contact deliveries for when you want to gift a gorgeous bouquet for the special people in your life- perfect for the holidays!
5. Risa James Photography
Cocktail Photographer - you ship and she photographs!
https://www.risajamesphoto.com/
Lawyer, event planner, fellow Harry Potter nerd and alcohol connoisseur, Risa takes pictures of her fabulous drink creations and offers the most stunning food + drink photography you'll find just about anywhere!
(Seriously, every single thing that she posts I either want to eat or drink IMMEDIATELY).
Risa wants to help small brands have great photos of their booze and to show what you can do with it! She also works out of her home so booking her is SUPER easy and contact-free!
6. Your Creative Counterpart
Brand Photographer & Creative Coach
https://yourcreativecounterpart.com/
Now let me tell you about Britney - not only is she the kindest, most uplifting and hard-working lady ever, but she is also a fantastic fellow brand photographer AND a creative coach!
She started her business to give creatives the experience and support she wishes she had back when she was a blogger. So if you've ever poured your every waking moment into content creation (*raises hand*) and could really use some guidance getting to the next step for your business, you need to call on Britney, stat!
And on top of all that, Britney is now taking up the #smallbizproject HERSELF! So please go follow align her #smallbizproject journey on instaham too!
7. berry&thyme
Online Shop for Homemade Jams
https://www.shopberryandthyme.com/
Erin makes jam. REALLY good jam. (My boyfriend even said so and he is extremely har to please when it comes to food soo, yeah, Seal of Approval).
Erin's business started off as an idea to make charcuterie/grazing boards. From there, she knew that she wanted to make homemade, botanically-infused jam for those boards.
The more she brainstormed, the clearer it became that she didn’t need to start a grazing board company but needed to put her entire focus on making jam with fresh ingredients and unique flavors! Erin says her business allows her to be creative in ways she never even imagined.
She's only got one more restock for December so be sure to give her a follow! I highly recommend the Baby Jam Band!
8. Simplified Wardrobe
Online Styling and Consulting Services
https://www.simplifiedwardrobe.com/links
So you want to look great AND feel confident AND have it all be stress-free?
HERE'S YOUR SOLUTION! Missy is a Personal Stylist and she's based right here in Sacramento!
In addition to personal styling, Missy also offers capsule wardrobe curation (if you don't know what it is I encourage you to go browse website!!), and color analysis services (what colors work best with your hair and skin tones)!
Missy loves helping women find their style and their confidence and simplifying their lives, starting in their closets. She’s constantly dropping great Live videos, Q+A’s and helpful style tips right in your inbox and what better time to revamp your wardrobe than right before Christmas??
9. Du Coeur
Online Jewelry Shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SamiBoutiqueStudio
Samia makes sustainable jewelry from recycled material and safe stone beads and also offers chakra balance and wellness boosting jewelry, haute couture jewelry, birth chart inspo, birth chart readings, bath soaks and massage oils and more!
Samia has been making jewelry for over 10 years and gets her inspiration from her ancestors and the women in her family. She makes custom pieces according to birth charts and loves to get a reading on all of her customers- so cool!
You can purchase any of Du Coeur's beautiful hand-crafted pieces on Etsy, any of which would make a beautiful, heartfelt gift for someone!
10. Scouted Interiors
Interior Design & Decoating
https://www.instagram.com/scoutedinteriors/
Blake's passion is making life beautiful for people by way of design and she believes that now, more than ever, having a well-designed home has become a need, rather than a lofty goal.
Blake specializes in interior decorating with an emphasis on real-world budgets (can I get a "heck yeah"!?), using thrifting and Facebook Marketplace as resources to pull together beautiful spaces, affordably.
If you, like me, have been yearning to make the space you're living in even more intentional and special, be sure to hit Blake up for a virtual design tour and check in with Scouted Interiors!
11. Katelyn Bradley Photography
Elopement Photography
https://www.katelynbradleyphotography.com/
Katelyn is a bomb-ass elopement photographer and intimate wedding photographer and always has THE cutest themed shoots and date night photo sessions! Capturing the adventure that is the beginning of a marriage is what she is all about!
Her couples mean everything to Katelyn! She fell in love with photography and knew it was her way to show the world more of the goodness, beauty, and love that we all share!
Katelyn is heartbroken over all of the postponed marriages her couples have had to experience this year (her own wedding included!) and is still offering socially-distanced sessions to celebrate her couples!
She asks for good vibes and any interaction on social media you can afford! (Think comments, saves + shares!)
And if you've been thinking about rebooking for a postponed wedding (or elopement if you're the adventuring kind of couple), please check Katelyn out!
12. Craftopolis
In-person and Online Crafting Club
https://www.craftopoliscraftclub.com/workshops.html
Judy + Julia of @craftopoliscraftingclub! Mother and Daughter owned art and craft workshop business. Helping you find your creative zen!
Judy's job of 28 years ended when her company closed their doors so she decided to turn her hobby and passion for creating and helping others be creative into a biz with the help of her daughter, Julia!
Craftolpolis offers craft workshops (follow them more for info as to when these will become available again!) or you can purchase their stunning water-marbled designs and other crafts in their online store!
What better way to give gifts to your loved ones than to support another deserving #smallbizproject participant and fellow creative local ladies?
13. Hillside Blooms Floristry
Artistic Event Florals
https://www.hillsidebloomsfloristry.com/
Cindy of @hillsidebloomsfloristry has the most gorgeous wedding and event floristry business!!
She operates out of her Pinterest-worthy studio in Colfax, Ca, and absolutely cherishes working with her sweet clients and -of course- florals!
She has an amazing eye and knowledge about flowers and I loved hearing about the ones she used for this bouquet in her photos for her #smallbizproject shoot! (Although I honestly couldn't recite the names back to you now haha)
Please do your best in supporting Cindy with online interactions and referrals for the 2021 wedding season as her beautiful business like so many others fight to recover from Covid. You support truly makes all the difference!
14. Acorn Photography
Wedding, Boudoir & Lifestyle Photography
https://www.acorn-photography.com/
Tiffany is a photographer based out of Sonora, Ca with a light and airy style and a love for shooting weddings, boudoir and lifestyle sessions!
After a friend had a very bad experience with her wedding photographer and never got her photos, Tiffany knew she could do better and started her own business to make sure that what happened to her friend wouldn't happen to anyone else on her watch!
With a brand new baby girl and constant opening and closing of studios in her area due to Covid, Tiffany could 100% use your support via pre-bookings for February after her maternity leave!!
15. Renewable Jewels
Vintage Jewelry Designer
Jami is a mom of three and decided to take the leap to turn her passion and love for vintage jewelry into a business! Let me tell you, it was so cool to hear the stories behind some of the vintage jewelry she's transformed into new pieces! (Hence "Renewable" Jewels!)
Jami has her collection online, but she also does custom designs! She works with family heirlooms and creates one of a kind pieces for weddings.
The vast majority of her events for the year have naturally been canceled so online purchases are the best way to support Jami's dream! Especially with the holidays, I ask you to consider spending your money on hand-crafted goods from small businesses like Jami's!
And if you're a business that would love to work with Jami to promote her jewelry that is also something she would love to be a part of! Just send her an email!
I was blown away by Jami's passion and generosity after only knowing her for 20 minutes at our shoot. We had an amazing talk about Harry Potter and promised we'd meet up for butterbeers later! So overall she's a crazy cool lady!
16. Allexa Crosson Photography
Wedding & Family Photographer
https://www.instagram.com/allexacrosson/
Having been photographed by Allexa, I can share firsthand my amazing experience with her. She is so sweet and so talented- she has captured some of my most favorite images of myself EVER!
Not only that, but Allexa actually started #smallbizproject!! Whaa!? I know, this momtographer is everywhere and doing amazing things. You can check out her page for even more #smallbizproject news!
Allexa LOVES capturing timeless events or seasons of life for people in her own business, but Covid has hit her in her second year particularly hard with 4 out of the 5 weddings she had booked for 2020 being CANCELED instead of simply postponed.
I would love for you to like, share, save and COMMENT (those are important, people!!) on her beautiful social media content or if you're looking for a lifestyle or wedding photographer, to book a fully socially-distanced shoot (in a mask) with her.
She also is happily honoring pre-booking/gift certificates for a session if people would prefer to hold off on their shoots!
Let's give these ladies a round of applause!!
With the holiday season upon us I highly encourage you to consider supporting these amazing women with purchases from the shops and online stores. Every single little transaction helps to get them through a season that is anticipated to be just as harsh as the Spring. Helps support their dreams, helps buy their own kids and families Christmas presents or meals. If you can't support monetarily please remember that simply following them, sharing their pages and engaging with them on social media is still extremely helpful and appreciated!
You all have shown a truly magical show of support so far and my hope is that it continues to grow and grow!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated, everyone who commented and shared the participant’s photo and businesses on social media, to Allexa for creating this project and to the multiple other photographers who have since taken up the project as well.
To see more of the project, be sure to search the hashtag #smallbizproject on instagram and check out my Story Highlight!
