Just a Card – The Campaign Supporting Small Businesses
As you may already know I am a small business owner selling via Etsy and right here through my website, as well as this I am also a big supporter of buying from other small and local businesses. I feel strongly that I would like to share with you the wonderful campaign that is, 'Just a Card'. Launched back in 2016, the 'Just a Card' campaign set out to encourage people to support, value and buy from artists, designers, independent shops and small businesses. The concept was formed after Artist & Designer, Sarah Hamilton saw the quote "If everyone who'd complimented our beautiful gallery had bought 'just a card' we'd still be open" by store keepers who'd recently closed their gallery. It is often true, that many of us will enter a gallery or a small independent business and absolutely love the art, crafts, makes and marvels, but feel we cannot commit to a large or expensive purchase at the time. This campaign encourages you to make a purchase, find something within your budget, even if that's a few pounds, and show your support. As a small business owner, I know first hand that it is the smaller, low cost products that often keep a business afloat!
As I often tell people, my shop is a labour of love. But like many others, we still have to find a way to keep the lights on! What goes on behind the scenes of a small business, is really not so small! Whether that's material costs, wages, stand fees, website costs, branding and promotion; the list goes on! And more often than not all this will fall to just one or two people to manage! This is why any token of support is meaningful and worthy to a small business owner, no matter the cost to you, the value to the person behind the business is huge! These small purchases are so important to the success and prosperity of small businesses, and this is why I love this campaign!
Founder, Sarah Hamilton details the steps you can take to take part in the wonderful 'Just a Card' Campaign below:
SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN - SUPPORT ALL CREATIVE BUSINESSES:
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Add our logo to your blogs, websites etc.
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Follow @justacard1 on Twitter and Instragram Retweet & spread the word.
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Download posters and postcards from our website and put them up in your event or shop
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Purchase PINS & STICKERS from our shop
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Donate to us
And finally - by all means compliment people, it makes the world a far sunnier place, but if you can, PLEASE, buy just a card!
The biggest difference you can have on the world as an individual is one, how you treat people, and two, how you spend your money. Being a small business is like being part of a community, and that is why this campaign is so integral to bringing that community together. Follow the campaign and its progress on their Instagram (LINK) and Twitter (LINK). And in the spirit of 'Just a Card', here are a few of my favourite small businesses for you to check out:
my personal favourite shops to support...
