The Heartbeat of Our Community

Aug 24

3 min read

If you have been following us for any length of time, you know how passionate we are about small businesses. They are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the people who learn your name, remember your story, ask about your dog, celebrate your wins, and become part of the fabric of the places we call home.

When you shop small, you are not just making a purchase. You are supporting a person, a family, a dream, and often a whole lot of grit behind the scenes. And the impact goes beyond the business itself. Studies have found that independent local businesses recirculate significantly more money within their communities than large chains.

Right now, small businesses are navigating more challenges than ever. Supply chain issues, rising costs, tariffs, the growing use of AI and the lack of meaningful protections for artists whose work is being used without permission... it is a lot.

And then there is the part that is sometimes hard to see from the outside.

I will see or hear about a small business closing and then read through the comments. People are shocked that their favorite shop is closing. They talk about how much they loved it, how sad they are to see it go, how they cannot believe it is gone. And then someone will inevitably say, “I haven't been there in so long.”

The reality is that small businesses need their customers. There usually isn't a huge cushion of cash sitting in the bank. There are no endless resources to fall back on. There aren't necessarily bailouts waiting around the corner. And getting access to traditional small business loans can be incredibly difficult, especially when you are still trying to grow.

And I don't know about you, but I want to see our small business community thrive!

So, let's talk about what is happening in our community this week!

Boss Lady Books and Mended TX are FINALLY having their grand opening weekend!

The journey it has taken these two incredible women to get to this point is one you would not believe. They have fought hard for these next steps in their businesses, and watching their hard work, determination, and belief in their dreams bring them here has been pretty incredible.

First up, Boss Lady Books, a women-owned independent bookstore run by the ever-amazing Amy.

Boss Lady Books celebrates stories of all kinds, but it is so much more than a bookstore. Amy has created a space that brings people together through the incredible events she hosts, while also using her shop to support and showcase other small businesses.

And Amy is one of those people who generously shares what she knows. We started talking through DMs, and from the very beginning, she was incredibly encouraging of our flower farm and our business ventures. She nominated us for events, shared her knowledge, and cheered us on long before we ever met in person. Eventually, we got the chance to meet, collaborate, and spend some time together outside of Instagram DMs. Somewhere along the way, she became a friend.

Next up is Kristin, owner of Mended TX. Kristin creates handmade jewelry with a focus on storytelling. Her work includes small collections made from thoughtfully chosen materials, often reworked, repurposed, or inspired by everyday life.

But one of the things I love most about Kristin has nothing to do with her jewelry.

She brings joy into every room she walks into. She is one of those people who is genuinely kind, endlessly creative, and makes you feel like you have known her much longer than you actually have.

Kristin and I also started talking through DMs before we ever met in person. She encouraged us, cheered on the farm, and became someone who genuinely cared about what we were building.

She also knew how much I loved my pup, B, and after B passed, Kristin and Rick created one of the most meaningful pieces of remembrance I have. It is something I will treasure forever, and it is one of those moments that reminds me why relationships built through small businesses can become so much more than business.