Forget Black Friday!

This year it’s all about GREEN FRIDAY!

Let’s be honest, this year has been rubbish for most of us, but at Fairypants we really wanted to remind you what an amazing positive impact you have by support smaller businesses like ourselves, especially during such an uncertain time.

Black Friday is fast approaching which we all know is a great time to pick up a bargain, but this year we wanted to raise awareness of the importance of supporting smaller companies.

When you shop with a local business you help to improve the local economy.  Research has shown that for every £1 spent in a small/medium shop, 63p will stay within the local community, compared with just 40p when you shop in a bigger store.  This is down to the fact that local business owners and employees are more likely to spend their money on fellow local businesses.

Small-scale businesses create more local jobs.  In fact, they’re the biggest employer in the private sector, creating a whopping 3 in 5 jobs! More great news is that smaller companies tend to pay a fairer, higher wage compared with bigger chain stores.  This has an immediate effect on staff well-being, helping to boost the morale of all employees as they’re being treated more fairly.  Alongside this, employees within smaller companies reported that they feel their opinions are respected and that they can have a more flexible, practice approach to work.

I know right now that shopping at local Fairs and Events is a distant memory, but smaller businesses are more likely to take part in these (and are itching to get back to them), which helps to enrich the local community. These events not only provide a more positive shopping experience for the customer, but they are a fantastic way for business owners to meet like-minded people.

Small businesses offer something unique; they add character to an area and keep diversity alive.  Handmade items come in all shapes and sizes which provides the customer with something a little special and different from the run of the mill items you see in bigger chains.

Now we are more aware than ever the impact we’re having on our planet with every purchase we make.  Therefore, it’s important to look at the air or sea miles an item has had to travel to reach us.  Local companies tend to source locally too meaning items haven’t had to use as much fuel to get to you.  Also, more businesses than ever are choosing more sustainable packaging options to send their goods in when ordered online, opting for paper and cardboard protection over plastic bubble wrap.

I think the biggest positive effect of shopping with smaller brands is that you have a much better, more personal experience as a customer.  You’re more likely to speak directly with the business owner and can build rapport with them.  The owners are more open to feedback and can solve any issues that arise quicker and in a tailored way.

Whenever a small business makes a sale, the owner does a happy dance! You’re helping to pay their rent, put food on their table and keep their dream alive.

Thank you so much again for support us at Fairypants, we appreciate every single one of you who takes the time to Like, Share, Comment and shop with us.

To say thank you, this year we’re offering a 20% discount with the code UGH2020 (valid until 30th November 2020).  Every purchase made will automatically generate a donation to the wondering Whitegate Animal Sanctuary, who rescue unwanted and neglected animals from the agricultural industries.

 

Brand new Glow Body Oil – in (almost) plastic free packaging

Celebrating Women

It’s international Women’s Day! And as such, we wanted to celebrate, and tell you a little more about where we came from – and how we were inspired by the ultimate #girlboss

Wedding of the year, 2017

I’m Natalie, and I started Fairypants after graduating from University. I come from a very female family- growing up I ‘just’ had my Mum and Nan. I say just, because with two strong women in my life I needed nobody else.

When I was little, my mum worked all the hours she could to provide for me – often coming home after I had already had my dinner with my nan. My nan picked me up from school, fed me and entertained me until it was time to go home.

Ultimate #girlboss

A lot of women worry that if they work hard when their children are younger they’ll miss out, and the children will be somehow damaged because of it –I think it made me stronger. Seeing how hard my mum worked just made me want to work hard too – she is my absolute inspiration, and she taught me that girls can do whatever they put their mind to.

She’s always been my biggest cheerleader – the first person to buy my new products, and she never expects a discount. She picks me up if I have a crisis of confidence, and she’s behind me all the way when my head is in the clouds dreaming up something new.

1987

We’re in somewhat of a female renaissance at the moment – small businesses are popping up all over the place – young women like me chancing their arm after uni or school, and mums doing what they can while their children sleep. Women have such strength – our only fault is we sometimes don’t believe in ourselves. So this post is to encourage you to follow your dreams, and to keep plugging away at them until they become reality. Because you can do it – you can do whatever you want, as long as you’re prepared to work hard.

Use today to celebrate yourself and the strong women who made you. Use it to turn your life around, to push you on to the next step- and make sure you feel proud of yourself and what you’re capable of achieving.

We are women, hear us roar!!

Like mother, like daughter…

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