A great boutique is a place where we can convene around a shared love of design, of self-expression through personal style, and an excitement around the discovery of exciting designers, artists, and craftspeople. It’s about being open to the possibilities of finding something unlikely and surprising. When we discover something interesting, we make a conscious choice to support someone, appreciate their craft, and take their goods home.

To get in the mood for Small Business Saturday 2022, we asked a few of our friends what community means to them. Featuring Monica Navarro of DREAMS, Fahari Wambura of Fahari Bazaar, and Taylor Small and Sofia Carlson of Be Good Shop.

SMALL BIZ, BIG IMPACT: Businesses we love, who love their communities right back.

Monica Navarro of DREAMS

Name: Monica Navarro

City: Los Angeles

WHAT DOES COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU? Community is a blanket that wraps you - the blanket is made by all the people in the area, in your friend group and in your neighborhood or social web. I have always been passionate about PEOPLE. I feel so incredibly lucky to immerse myself in what I feel is my community.

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK AS A SMALL BUSINESS? I support, I share my platform and I'm just a big nerd???? I feel so incredibly lucky to know most of my brand owners that I carry in my shops on a first name basis - that something special you get when working with your local community. I love sharing my space with others - we host regular pop-ups, workshops and co-lab with others whenever we can - I am inspired by those who are around me and feel so lucky to share my space with others! And nerd - I mean it. Once you are in my life... I will love you always! I always want to tell everyone about the amazing brands we have or artists we have worked with.

FAVORITE BRANDS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY: Too many to name!! I love so many! But for me some fun brands we've worked with this year have been MEALS & Kkco, La Morra Pizza, Woon, Little Fish, Canyon Coffee, Waavy Wine, Gearhead Wine...ahhh way too hard!

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Fahari Wambura of Fahari Bazaar

Name: Fahari Wambura

City: Upstate New York

WHAT DOES COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU? Community is people around you who make you feel like you belong, are loved, respected and cared for. And a place you can go to when you need a hand, or to be yourself.

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK AS A SMALL BUSINESS? I am from Tanzania, so I know and understand how it feels to be in need. So Fahari Bazaar, first, has made it it’s mission to create sustainable income to as many artisans as is possible. We also take care of 20 plus women by supporting them every once in a while by buying them bulk non-perishable food so they can take care of their families. We pay school fees, and buy school supplies to underprivileged kids any time the business does well. And we also make sure we are part of the community that surrounds us, in Tanzania, by contributing to community projects like fixing rural roads, water connection and building schools. Our next project is hopefully to build a clinic for villagers in a remote village in Morogoro, Tanzania.

FAVORITE BRANDS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY: In Tanzania my favorite are @waasiliasilia , @handmade_from_tanzania and @refixittz. In upstate NY, there are so many. @alimacuisine , @alittlerico , @villagecommon @shop.bolor , @highlandsfondry @the._.falls @chambersvintage

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Taylor Small and Sofia Carlson BE GOOD SHOP

Names: Taylor Small and Sofia Carlson

City: Nashville

WHAT DOES COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU? For us, community means EVERYTHING. As a brand, we simply wouldn't exist without it; Be Good's ethos and origins are based in collaboration. Whether it's working with local seamstresses to bring a custom piece of clothing to life, or having a local artist paint our branded BG devil, we strive to include and uplift anyone we can throughout the process. Nashville is so rich with talented creatives and it's an amazing supportive system of small business owners - we think it's what makes this city the growing hub it is and why so many people continue to make it home.

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK AS A SMALL BUSINESS? Community and the organizations that promote it are essential. We often raise funds through our markets and events through partnering with local organizations to donate a portion of proceeds and help promote their cause. Some of our events have benefitted ACLU Tennessee, Oasis Center, Girls Write Nashville and Abortion Care Tennessee.

FAVORITE BRANDS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY: There are absolutely too many to list! To name a few: The Green Ray Books, Relic Home, Ebb and Iv, Hand Wings Ceramics, Farewell Fine Jewelry, Cë Gallery, The Gift Horse, Yanira Vissepo, Salt Ceramics, Clarity Candle Co, Grimey's Record Shop, I Saw The Sign, Emily Miller, TNT Goods, Buffalo Barnes, Forestdale Incense and now we're rambling because there are so, so many more!

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