This one’s for the shopkeepers and for the surrounding communities who support them. There’s a common thread for all shopkeepers; they are consistently big dreamers, relentless doers, and passionate about sharing their vision, whatever shape that may take, with their broader community. When you step into their shops, you feel the difference – the warmth, care and connection that can only come from someone truly living their passion.
Running a small business is equal parts heart and hustle, and one does not work without the other. I’ve lived this juggle for nearly three years and can confidently say I never imagined it would be this hard. The shop is open four hours a day, four days a week, but the working day is about 10 hours a day, seven days a week, week after week. The endless cycle of content creation, in an effort to capture an audience's attention that is already spread thin, can be nothing short of exhausting. And yet, we shopkeepers love continuously showing up for our communities. The deep satisfaction of seeing a customer light up when they find something special provides the fuel that’s needed to keep going, to overcome the many quiet moments of doubt.
I frequently chat with my local customers about the challenges Wovenwood and so many other small businesses are facing - soaring costs of goods, rising rent & utilities, high interest rates, supply-chain wrinkles, and shifting consumer habits – just to name a few. In the 2025 financial year, Australia saw 85 businesses close for every 100 that opened. Let that sink in for a minute. It’s a staggering number and a reminder that every small business that makes it through is doing so against the odds. And more so, those that do make it through need your support more than ever to keep their doors open.
Small shops are the heartbeat of our communities. They make our towns and streets feel collected and unique and quite frankly, make the shopping experience feel human. You know when you walk into these spaces what you buy has been chosen with intention and care, not by an algorithm. And sure, sometimes shopping small does cost more. But that extra few dollars doesn’t go toward corporate bonuses, marketing campaigns, or robotic fulfilment centres churning out orders by the thousands. It helps keep the lights on in a little shop that feels like home. It pays for the people behind the counter who remember your name, the makers who craft things slowly and beautifully, and the creativity that can only come from real humans who care deeply about what they do.
So all of this is to say, this holiday season, pause, consider and make sure your choices are supporting a real person (not a share price) before you click “add to cart”. Because while the convenience of the big guys is tempting, those quick purchases don’t build the kind of world most of us actually want to live in – neighbourhoods filled with markets, charming window displays, and friendly shopkeepers who remember not only your name but likely every purchase you’ve made to support them.
Seek out the local makers, the independent artisans, and the shopkeepers pouring their hearts into every order. Buy less, but better. Give gifts that have a story, and know that every time you shop small, you’re investing in someone’s dream.
Big love from me to all my lovelies (that’s you!).
