Comment here to pay it forward and shout out your favorite small business!

We’re focusing on reciprocity and giving in December (and always, we hope). I thought it’d be a kindness to shout out some small businesses and garner some attention for them – for the holidays or the future.

I asked around the office, and or team members are shouting out these awesome small businesses:

Me first! My favorite: One small business near and dear to my heart is Woodlawn Refills, owned by Erin Chazotte, who happens to be my master scheduler. My wife and I became loyal customers a while ago and haven’t looked back. Erin has been actively pursuing a green lifestyle since her teen years, and has the worn-out canvas grocery tote to prove it. Now as a homeowner and mother of 2, she has seen her landfill and recycling bins expanding, giving her eco-guilt. Woodlawn Refills is a business built from passion for the environment and a curiosity for what the future can look like. Erin has inspired all of us here in the office and beyond how now is the time to create the “new normal”. We’re shifting habits in our office and own homes to reverse environmental impact, and passing that to the next generation. Erin says it best,  “A disposable culture is not a sustainable culture.” Learn more about Woodlawn Refills here.

Our Prez, Kelsey suggests: 

“I love creating cozy ambience in the winter, and Cabin Fever Goods candles on Etsy are a go to. They create hand-poured soy candles that smell amazing and last really long. 

I also admire the company Youer. It’s like athletic wear with really fun, colorful prints that the owner designs. They use recycled fabrics and are manufactured in the US. I also just like her account because she shows production at every step of the way and is very candid.”

Here at Mike’s offices, we love it when fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners are candid about their story and business. Check out their founder, Mallory’s founder statement here for her inspiring story.

Jenna’s favorites:

“While Kiva isn’t classified as a small business, what they provide for entrepreneurs in underserved areas is something we can all feel good about. 

Kiva is a non-profit crowdfunding platform which gives 100% of donations and loans directly to entrepreneurs who lack financial access. 

And, did you know? The offices of Mike Michalowicz donates 5% of all merchandise and product sales to Kiva.org? That’s putting our money where our hearts are! And, even small donations have a huge impact in other countries.  Join us in the endeavor to support fellow entrepreneurs.”

Favorite Authors for entrepreneurs:

“Aside from Mike (obviously!) I really admire authors I’ve learned about through working with Mike. I admire writers who share their knowledge and experience in order to support and empower fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners. I encourage folks to get acquainted with these impressive authors:

Dorie Clark – Talk about impressive, Dorie has an incredible list of accomplishments which include being a Wall St, Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, teaching at Columbia University and has been awarded as one of the Top 50 business thinkers by Thinkers50. She writes for entrepreneurs and one of the top communication coaches in the world. Teach me, Dorie! You can check her work out here. You’re welcome!

Melinda Emerson – Every time I receive an email from Melinda’s mailing list, I open it right away. Tools, people, Melinda has tools! Written in a digestible and encouraging style, she is a small business soldier who empowers owners to scale and succeed. Her offerings are priceless. She’s known as “SmallBizLady,” is recognized by Forbes magazine as the #1 Woman for entrepreneurs to follow. But we’re talking books, here, so may I suggest checking out Become Your Own Boss. You may just empower others just starting out in their own businesses.”

Jeremy suggests:

Home improvement in your sights? It seems there was an uptick in renovations of people’s homes over the last years and one of the huge expenses is painting – exteriors, exteriors, cabinets, you name it. Jeremy has a friend who is a franchise owner of Spray-Net, and he really admires their work. Quick, convenient, durable, and cost efficient. Using Spray-Net bridges that gap between painting and replacing.

Izzy’s favorites:

Yu and Me Books: @yuandmebooks www.yuandmebooks.com is woman-owned and community-centric with emphasis on showcasing immigrant stories and AAPI authors.  Yu and Me Books is the first female Asian-American owned bookstore in NYC.

Alchemy Coffee: @alchemyrva http://alchemycoffeerva.com/ rotates guest-roaster programs and has high standards of sustainable coffee production. Alchemy also operates on an employee cooperative model, where employees are equal-part owners. And when employees are stakeholders, the business thrives.

Erin’s favorites:

Naturally, Woodlawn Refills! But Erin also loves Suay Sew Shop. “Suay is a Los Angeles based 100% vertical sewing and production shop founded in 2017 by CEO and Lead Designer, Lindsay Rose Medoff. Pioneering the clean up economy, Suay products are created from a combination of post-consumer waste, deadstock and domestically, organically grown fibers.” Erin has been inspiring us to be better tenants of our planet, and we loved learning about Suay.