Running a Business
Running your own business is hard work. It takes tons of time, creativity, and passion. Today, I want to introduce you to three small business owners who have not only created unique products, but their love for what they do shows in each item they make.
Each business and product is very different from the other, but they all have one thing in common. They would make extremely thoughtful and unique gifts. Whether you know someone with an upcoming birthday, if you need to bring a gift for the hostess of your Easter Celebration, if you are planning ahead for Mother’s Day (hint, hint husband,) or if you just want to make someone’s day, I’ve got some great ideas for you to check out.
All of these products are handmade, and I can tell you from experience that the quality is amazing.
I love to support small businesses, especially these three business owners. I really hope you will too.
So, let’s get right to it.
Lily’s Lights
Ashley, the owner, contacted me after reading the blog. She has a shop on Etsy (which you can find HERE,) and she makes the most beautiful nightlights. She made one for each of my boys’ rooms, and they are fantastic.
Ashley first came up with the idea when she wanted to make something special for her daughter, Lily, and her room. Lily’s Lights was born!
We went with a Giraffe in blue for Mr. B, since that is his favorite animal and color. For the twins, I’ve been collecting elephant things since I started working on their nursery, and their room is orange and grey, so we went with a grey elephant.
Each nightlight is handmade, and you can even see how they do it on their Instagram feed. Just follow @lilyslights or click HERE
Not only are these nightlights great for your little one’s room, but they are pieces of artwork for any room in your home. You can also buy them on Amazon. Just click thru the picture below, which is my affiliate link.
Golden Sage Homemade
Danielle is a blogging friend of mine. You may know her as Serene Mom. Not only is she a fantastic writer, but she is a phenomenal baker. She has started her own bake shop called Golden Sage Homemade (which you can visit HERE,) and she makes the most delicious cookies.
We got the sample pack of 2 double chocolate (Mr. B’s favorite,) 2 chocolate chip (the twins’ favorites,) and 2 oatmeal raisin (husband’s favorite.) I barely got a crumb from each, they gobbled them up so fast.
Danielle packages each order in a cute little box, and will ship almost anywhere. Just pop the cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds, and you have soft, delicious cookies. The smell alone brought all the boys to the kitchen. They were moist, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet. Yum. You can certainly tell Danielle puts a lot of love into her business.
In addition to her Etsy shop, you can visit Gold Sage Homemade on Facebook and Instagram.
Right now, if you place an order with the code loveshanneva16 you can get 15% off your order. What a great gift for your Easter hostess/host! Plus, don’t forget Mother’s Day!
Baby Samantha Blankets
I first met Meliza when she was shopping at our Twins’ club rummage sale. She was pregnant with identical twins, and she was just glowing.
Unfortunately, Meliza’s girls developed TTTS, Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. She had laser surgery, but she went into labor very early, and her girls, Samantha and Emily, were born premature like my boys.
Samantha fought so hard, but her body just couldn’t keep fighting.
In her honor, Meliza makes beautiful baby blankets that are lovingly named after her daughter, and Emily’s twin sister, Samantha. Meliza puts so much love and care into each piece, and I know she makes Samantha proud.
The blankets are truly beautiful. I bought one for my boys’ room, and Meliza will make them in any color/pattern you like. I, of course, chose an elephant on an orange and gray blanket. I have it hanging on the wall in their room, and I just love it. Here is just a sampling.
In addition to blankets, Meliza makes hats for both kids and adults. Plus, you can get a coordinating hat and baby blanket.
Pricing is as follows:
The blankets $35 +hat $15 and free shipping
Tutus are $25
Hats $15
Hoods $25
Meliza also helps me in my auctions every year with a donation, plus this year she is donating 20% from anything my readers purchase to the March of Dimes. Just mention my name, Shann, when ordering. You can order by sending her a message on Facebook HERE or by calling/texting (414) 552-2004
Meliza is truly one of the sweetest women I know. I’m so happy to have met her, and call her a friend. Her work is amazing and the pictures don’t do them justice.
I hope you’ll consider making a purchase from one of these talented women. You will be supporting a small business that is truly a passion for each. Their products are truly wonderful and would make such a great, thoughtful gift.
*I received some products as gifts, but the honest opinions are my own…and my kids.
Those are all so cute but I love love love the elephant night lights!
Those cookies look wonderful! Yum!
They really are!
Oh, my goodness… I love all of the products you feature here and loved learning more about the business owners. That’s always the great thing about supporting small businesses–you know your $ is going towards an amazing cause. Thanks for sharing this!
You’re welcome! Thank you so much for checking them all out, Charlotte 🙂
I love all of the items that you showed from all the shops! That giraffe light is so adorable! Those cookies look absolutely amazing (now I am hungry). The blankets are so beautiful and have amazing details! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Thank you Mistle!
I love these products, thanks for supporting small businesses Shann! I think it’s interesting that so often it’s our kids that somehow inspire us mommas to start business ventures. 🙂
Exactly! Thank you Justine!
Those nightlights are really cute! These are some great small businesses to support.
I agree. Thank you!
Such an awesome post. I happen to love shopping small businesses when I can because I know the quality and service is often much better, and it’s just more personal. My oldest has a green and orange giraffe blanket that was made for her, but my youngest doesn’t have one yet. I might have to look into getting her her very own monkey blanket 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Perfect! Thank you Kimberly!
Of course I love the cookies, but those blankets are stunning (and she needs to increase her prices – they are worth so much more!). I love the story behind the blankets and will keep her store in mind for gifts!
Wonderful. Thank you Dana.
Those blankets are adorable! And the night lights…oh my goodness. I’m going to have to check out these ladies stuff when I have more free time!
Wonderful. Thank you!
Thank you so much for introducing us to these women! <3 It's awesome to find other women who are able to make money at home! <3
Yes, I agree 🙂
Thanks for showcasing these three businesses. All of their work looks beautiful, and the cookies look delicious. I am going to check them all out.
Wonderful. Thank you!
I make it a priority to support anyone who makes homemade high quality products. The time they spend is tremendous.
Yes, it definitely is.
Great products from small businesses. Love it!
Thank you!
These are great, definitely checking out the night lights!
Awesome!
Thank you for showcasing these lovely small businesses! Great products!
Thank you!
Oh yeah, there’s nothing better than a gift made with hands, that is, the person who put their soul into their work, in contrast to the soulless machines 🙂
Agreed.
Wow wow – I can’t figure out which I like the best – all three are so creative and wonderful…. I love how you spotlighted these very talented and creative women! Blessings!
I’m so lucky to know them all! 🙂 Thanks Clare.
The blankets are beautiful and I may start crying. My cousin is due in June and this would make a lovely gift. The elephant night light is beautiful too! It would be cute in my kiddo’s bathroom.
Thank you so much Kimberly.
What wonderful businesses to support! I’m all for purchasing products from companies like this. Thanks for sharing!
What lovely ideas! Really great for presents. I’ll have to give them a go!
I love celebrating small business and I absolutely love this post! So great! Thank you for sharing!
Those lights are so fun! Great share.
Those night lights are my absolute favorite! And I LOVE that they’re handmade. I’m in her Etsy shop now :). Hoping she may do special requests! I’ll use your affiliate link if I end up ordering one!
Awesome! 🙂
They are all so beautiful! I can’t decide which I like most! Thank you for sharing, and supporting women and small business!
These are some great products! Thanks for bringing them to my attention!
You’re welcome…and thank you.
Omg loving all of these!!!!! Those elephant lights are the cutest!!!
Small businesses are the best! Love learning about new ones!
Those blankets are amazing! These are some great small businesses! The elephant light is so cute, and the cookies? Nom nom nom.
They really are delicious! Thank you. 🙂
Such a sweet and thoughtful initiate, Shann! Love that your are making us all aware of some of the small businesses you support, I am on the path to doing a similar post too 🙂 All three small businesses look super cute, I am definitely going to check them out soon – loving the lights and hats, and those cookies so yummy!!
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Awesome. Thank you Kusum!
I love the night lights, I’m in my 30s with no kids and I could use a few of them in my house. I’m avoiding sugar as much as possible since summer is nearly here, but those cookies look pretty tasty. 🙂
I love supporting small businesses, their owner put so much effort in making their items better than the mass production.
I love the elephant night light too!! And the elephants on the baby blanket–her prices are incredible. The work is lovely, she should charge more:)
So much talent! I love those lights! They are incredible!