How to Support Friends (+ Their Small Business)

How to support friends . . .

I’ve had my heart set on wearing these coordinating tees since I first learned I was pregnant with Mary Jane. Our numbers have grown, and I’m over the moon. GIRLS SUPPORT GIRLS. This is it. This is the mantra I want Mary Jane and Violet to learn and live by. Our girl gang is everything to me. I want them to see what it means to support friends, to really show up for the people that matter the most.

Everyday ways to support friends:

How to stay engaged

Let me be the first to admit that it’s really hard to keep in touch with friends, especially when kids are thrown into the mix. Luckily, technology is on our side. I try my best to check in regularly via text. It’s so easy to send a ‘thinking of you’ note. Extra bonus points for including a funny GIF or series of emojis. It might just be my favorite part.

Celebrate your friend’s wins

Babies, weddings, engagements, career achievements, anniversaries and reaching personal milestones–these are the big + small things we can help our friends celebrate. I like to keep a stash of colorful cards on hand to send out when congratulations are in order. (You can find really cute styles at stores like Home Goods and TJ Maxx for a fraction of the cost.)

If in doubt, do delivery

This hack has changed the game for me. I really LOVE sending delivered gifts to friends when I can’t make the drop in person. Here are a few ideas + reasons to do it:

Birthday + Holidays – Levain Bakery Cookies (beautiful packaging + nationwide delivery)

New Baby – Crust Club (delivery to most Utah, Colorado + Nevada zip codes)

Sickness + Surgery – Dinner via Uber Eats (get $7 OFF your first order w/ code EATS-AUBRYL)

Amazon Prime + Prime Pantry for Quick Home/Grocer Deliveries

Psst! Most local grocers now offer grocery delivery. No matter the occasion, a fresh batch of groceries is always a welcomed sight. This would be a big help for new moms, overwhelmed moms, moms with spouses out of town . . . ANY MOM AT ANY TIME. Send her some basics like cereal, bananas, bagels + cream cheese, chicken nuggets and Diet Coke. The possibilities are endless.

And, if you prefer to deliver something semi-homemade, these Hawaiian Roll Sliders win every. single. time.

Log some face time

Host a late(ish) dinner, do a play date at the park or meet up for dessert after a long day of work. Seeing friends face to face is always worth the extra effort. Digital FaceTime is an option, too. You can catch up during a commute, chat during your lunch break or even send a few humorous selfies throughout the day.

Ways to support their small business:

If you like it, buy it

When I first opened The FBT Shop on Etsy, my little sister purchased some of my travel art. It was THE best surprise. Had I known, I would have insisted on gifting it to her. But that isn’t the point. She came through in a big way, and she literally bought into my dream. Her purchase communicated to me: I support you. I believe in you. Your work is worth it.

Be their social hype girl

There are also FREE ways to show your support. Cue SOCIAL MEDIA. Guys, it’s free to like their posts. It’s free to share their posts. It’s free to be their biggest cheerleader on social media. I can’t tell you how good it feels to have my friends following, commenting and interacting with my business online. Your LIKES help other people become new customers.

Physically show up for friends

Does she teach yoga? Do they own a brick and mortar? It means show much to someone when you physically show up for a class, pop into their store or swing by with a cup of hot cocoa because you know they’re working late. If and when you can, show up.

Talk about it

Still unsure how you can support their small business? Ask them! By bringing up the subject, you’re showing interest and acknowledging their hustle. I bet there’s one way or another that you can lend a helpful hand.

How do you support friends and their small businesses?

SHOP THE POST:

retro patchwork rug, Daisy Natives tees, gold headband, Levi’s high rise denim

post photos by Gentri Lee