I’m continuing my “petite” holiday guide theme to highlight a few of my favorite small businesses in honor of Small Business Saturday.  This blog is important to me because I think it’s important to support small business owners.  Their entrepreneur spirit and hard work perpetuates the American dream and helps keep it alive for future generations.   A lot of these vendors often get overlooked during the holidays in the sea of big box Black Friday deals and massive ad campaigns, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have just as good of deals, if not better.  Not only can you save money by shopping small, you can find unique items you won’t find anywhere else. Small business owners know exactly who their customers are and give personalized attention and service to their shoppers.  In some cases, they will work with you to customize or tailor products to your exact liking.  I have been customers of all of these businesses on my list.  While many of them are owned by my friends, I can honestly say they go above and beyond to deliver quality products and services that you can’t find anywhere else.  You can order any of these business’s products and services online, and they deliver anywhere in the US.  Many have holiday promo codes and specials which I will also be listing below 🙂

Gem + Elli – Owned by Julie Reinberg and Anna Johnson

I LOVE sunglasses.  Especially fun statement sunnies.   They are such an easy way to take a basic outfit to the next level.  GEM+ELLI is an international brand born in Italy and based in the US. founded by my good friends, twin sisters, Anna & Julie Reinberg.  The name GEM+ELLI comes from the Italian word ‘gemelli’ meaning ‘twins’.  GEM+ELLI eyewear focuses on original and custom design with a fun and feminine aesthetic.  Seriously, their designs are so unique yet ,on-trend.  They are for a girl who wants to get noticed, and in a good way.  Anytime I am wearing a pair of their sunnies I get stopped to ask where I got them.  No joke, I used to carry around their business cards because I got so many compliments and stopped by so many people on the street. They are also made with some of the highest quality materials around so you know you are get a designer-grade product.   

PROMO: Use Code BLACKFRI for 50% OFF all Sunnies
ISTAGRAM: @gem.and.elli

Casa Confetti – Owned by Gaby Abrams 

Casa Confetti delivers some of the most beautiful custom invitations, cards, wall art, party decor, and more.  The designs are personalized and truly one-of-kind.  Casa Confetti was born out of Gaby’s passion in designing and creating for her family and friends and helping make their bridal showers, baby showers, and parties perfect and totally unique.  As one of my closest friends I can tell you first hand, Gaby is one of the most creative, and dedicated people I know- and nobody can throw a party like she can.  She designed flamingo-themed invitations for my Mom’s 60th birthday, and I think almost every single guest made a comment about how cute the invitations were.  Lacking the creative gene? There’s no better way to fool your friends and family that you are the ultimate party influencer and Pinterest guru with Gaby’s invitations and party decor.  For her, parties are more than an event: they are a celebration of the honoree, and every detail is an affirmation of how special and loved that person is. 

PROMO: Use code "TEENIE10" for 10% off your order.  Also, enter the Casa Confetti annual holiday card giveaway for your chance to win 100 free holiday cards! Follow @casaconfettishop on instagram for more details on how to enter!

WIMS Consulting – Owned by Mike Simmons

Mike Simmons is a marketing guru and extraordinaire.  WIMS provides a full-range of marketing, web, CRM, and business development consulting services to entrepreneurs and small businesses that need supplemental assistance in these areas and/or don’t yet have the resources to do so in house.  From social media, to SEO, Mike can do it all.  He’s helped the company I work for develop a new website from the ground up, and also implement SEO tactics that has generated an increase in traffic and conversions by over 60%!   If you are a blogger who wants to start a website, or you have a business idea and don’t know where to start, Mike is your man.  He will work with you to come up with a customized marketing strategy that makes sense and isn’t overwhelming to first time entrepreneurs.  

PROMO:  Mention TEENIE and receive 10% off your service :)
INSTAGRAM: @wims305

Swirl Boutique – Owned by Lisa Landers

Swirl Boutique has an online store and physical locations in both Encinitas and San Clemente, CA.   Their selection of clothing and accessories are quintessential laid-back bohemian Southern California style.   They have a great selection of labels including Blue Life, Flynn Skye, Show Me Your Mumu, and Wildfox.  They also feature local designers you can’t find anywhere else.  Even though I live in Santa Monica, the mecca of bohemian boutiques, I always find myself stopping by Swirl Boutique whenever I am home in San Clemente.   Their selection is just top notch, and I always find unique items I can’t seem to find in LA.  Join their Swirl Society to get access to exclusive discounts and in-store events that are often complimented with free sips and bites 🙂

PROMO: Up to 35% off this weekend! Visit www.swirlboutique.com for promo codes!
INSTAGRAM: @swirlboutique