A Small Business Christmas Guide
The pandemic cut deep into many small business owner funds this Christmas — I would know, I car-camped across the country during the summer of 2020 — but the ingenuity and joy of their stories will inspire me far beyond the holidays. The following entrepreneurs from East to West are worth an order (or 10) for loved ones this year, whether it’s THE best food you’ve ever tasted or products you’ve never even heard of.
For the Coolest Person You Know
Silhouette Sneakers & Art — Sneakers, Apparel and Art - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Venita “Coop” Cooper is definitely someone you remember. I wandered into what I thought was a gallery and came face to face with her wall of epic sneakers. I’m so glad I did. The shoes, apparel, art and the space itself were so carefully curated, I understood why people and celebrities traveled from all over to shop at her store.
After learning about the Black Wall Street massacre this year (like most of my white friends) amid the Black Lives Matter protests, I had to visit the Greenwood district in Tulsa. It was a slow, hot day, so we chatted about the vibrant community that extended 30+ blocks beyond where we stood nearly 100 years ago — me cringing the entire time for being that white girl.
Coop was an entrepreneur turned educator after 10 years helping kids across the South. Her stories about the failure of our education system were heartbreaking, however the conversation about Greenwood — where Black Wall Street is located — was hopeful. People from across the country travel to her store for exclusive shoe finds, and the area is being revitalized after strange and cruel attempts to gloss it over (putting a new highway directly through it). She’s on the committee to bring more education about Black Wall Street to the community, one of the initiatives being an interactive museum.
The real kicker — without her knowing until after the space had been purchased, her shop is located where a Black cobbler once stood. Many of the businesses burned in the 1920s were never rebuilt as shown by bronze plaques along the sidewalk. That stroke of serendipity gave me pause.
Checkout the sneaker and art collection here.
For the Bookworm (An Amazon Alternative that gives back)
Fulton Street Books — Tulsa, Oklahoma
Imagine achieving your dream of finally opening your business.. and the pandemic hits. It didn’t stop Onika Asamoa-Caesar from opening Fulton Street Books this past July. The beautiful store had an even more beautiful collection of books — my purchases: Assata and The Bluest Eye — chosen with care to give visitors a chance to explore classic works of literature outside their (often heavily whitewashed) education. Whether you go for the bestsellers or staff picks, all books in their inventory are excellent gifts for anyone on your list.
Especially for allies or those in your life interested in social justice work, this is your gift hub. Plus, why not give your Amazon cart a rest?
Order by the December 16th deadline for Christmas— ah!
For the Foodie
Chasing Paradise — “All Good” Bars - Teton Valley, Idaho
Seriously, THE best granola bar I’ve ever tasted. The perfect mixture of grains, seeds, fruit, local honey and peanut butter or almond butter (your pick) and founder Rob Dupré’s love gives you many a sumptuous velvet bite with perfectly even crunch. Only these bars could coax me out of my Teton camp home I’d been hunkering down in for over a week. Great fuel for a hike and amazingly healthy snacks for kids. They also sell homemade hummus, mead and honey.
Email Rob and ask him to send like, 100 bars ($6 a piece) to your state. Or just me.
For the Mystical Healers
Raven’s Hollow — Resin art & Apothecary from Idaho Falls, Idaho
Of course I found what would amount to a witch shop through 100s of miles driving through Idaho. Past the crystals, tarot card decks and incense in “Healing Hands” metaphysical store was Raven’s Hollow. While shop owner Amber’s 20-foot-long wall of locally-foraged herbs (sourced directly from her land!) drew me in, I fell in love with her resin art pictured above. I bought a key dish featuring an Ace of Cups tarot card in a translucent resin surrounded by floating flower petals. You can also blend your own tea, infusions, tinctures or anything in between.
Right now Amber’s shop is on Instagram at @ravin.in.the.wolf.den — message her if you see something you like.
For the Wanderer or Nature Lover
David J West Gallery — Seeking the Light Squares and Calendars from Zion, Utah
Because the travelers in your life likely had to cancel a trip or two, inspiration from an independent artist makes for a treasured gift. The only man I met on a deserted hike in Moab, Utah (a local had directed us both there) told me to visit this gallery, where he worked for 4 months getting back to Nature to clear his head. I wasn’t able to enter the more spectacular places in the park when I arrived but David’s gallery brought me as close as I could.
David’s photography is breathtaking and the gallery held the wonder of the landscape — veiled river falls, vibrant red rocks, and towering mountain ranges — all in various backlit photo squares going for upwards of $100. If you’re not planning your 2021 vacation to Zion after browsing I’ll feel I’ve failed.
Any of his calendars or art pieces makes a fantastic gift.
