Locally-Women-Owen Businesses: Why and How to Support Them

In recent years, the concept of supporting small, locally-owned businesses has gained significant traction. However, there is another aspect of this movement that is equally important - supporting women-owned businesses. According to a report by American Express, women-owned businesses have increased by 58% since 2007, but they still face several challenges in terms of accessing capital, resources, and networks. Buying from these businesses not only helps support their economic growth but also empowers women and helps create a more equitable society.

Here are some reasons why buying from local, small women-owned businesses is important:

Economic growth: Women-owned businesses play a significant role in the economic growth of a region. According to a report by the National Women’s Business Council, women-owned businesses added over 2 million jobs to the U.S. economy in 2018 alone. When you buy from a local, women-owned business, you are supporting their growth and indirectly contributing to the economic development of your community.

Community development: Small, locally-owned businesses are often the backbone of a community. They provide unique products and services, which give character to the neighborhood. Buying from these businesses helps to support their continued existence and contributes to the vibrancy of the community.

Women empowerment: Women have historically faced significant obstacles in accessing capital and resources to start and grow their businesses. Supporting women-owned businesses is a way to empower women entrepreneurs and help them overcome these challenges. By buying from these businesses, you are helping to level the playing field and create a more equitable society.

Sustainability: Small, locally-owned businesses are more likely to prioritize sustainable practices such as using eco-friendly materials and sourcing locally. When you buy from these businesses, you are indirectly supporting these practices and helping to promote sustainability.

Personal touch: Women-owned businesses often have a personal touch that is hard to find in large corporations. These businesses are often run by the owners themselves, who take pride in their products and services. When you buy from them, you are supporting their passion and their vision.

Here below is a list of our favorite local-women-own businesses in Indy. Not from here? How about sharing some names in the comments below?

• Silver in the City

• City Dogs Grocery

• Penn & Beech Candle Co.

• The Botanical Bar

• Revival Food Co.

• Just Pop In!

• Storefront Theather

• Café Patachou

• The Cake Bake Shop

• Avellar, LLC - yes! ;)

In conclusion, buying from small, locally-owned women-owned businesses is not only important for the economic growth of a community, but it also promotes women's empowerment and contributes to a more equitable society. As consumers, we have the power to make a difference in the world, and by choosing to support these businesses, we can create a positive impact on our communities and the world at large.

For More 365 Chances

There is a famous poem about the New Year of a Brazilian poet, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, that says there is a miracle of renewal at the end of the year. When everything starts again, with another number and another desire to believe that from now on, it will be different.

That’s a feeling we believe everyone carries during this time of the year. As if we kind of forget things that weren’t nice, can be done or happen differently, just by turning from December 31st to January 1st, like magic.

Too optimistic? Maybe unrealistic? Yep, maybe. But for sure, this tiny moment of hope makes us try again, make it different and believe we are evolving every single year.

Happy 2023! For more 365 chances of making your best!

5 Ways To Refresh Your Mind

It's the middle of the day and your brain seems to go blank. Have you experienced this? We think you did, and the reason must be, you are putting too much concentration and focus nonstop on everything you need to do to get your work done. In the end, you get exhausted and the work isn't finished, in fact, you don't even know how to restart.

Don't worry (but pay attention), because this has a good solution or path which could help you get on track again, without blowing your brain circuits! Refresh your mind, we'll tell you how on these 5 easy steps!

1. Take a Break!

Have a pause. Really, it's that simple. Step away from your workspace for some minutes, go outside, stretch, listen to a song or songs, try pausing what you are doing if you can for some minutes and it will make you a little more focused when you come back. This will happen because you allowed yourself to step back. We all need a break, we are not machines! Respect your break, don't get too distracted on social media, while at it. The purpose here is to unwind.

2. Take Deep Breaths

It has been proven that practicing deep breathing exercises will lower levels of anxiety. There is a scientific reason for that: slow and deep breathing will stimulate the vagus nerve (popularly named wandering nerve) and release the anti-stress chemical acetylcholine. What will it do exactly? It will slow down your heart rate and relax you!

Learn breathing techniques here.

3. Listen to Relaxing Music

If you need to work focused on writing or creating something, for instance, probably you have favorite playlists to listen to. This tip will maybe make you frown, but trust us, it works. Working with focus and creating requires concentration. If you are listening to songs with too many lyrics, or a fast beat, this will cause you even if you don't notice, distraction, irritation, and wandering (who doesn't love good lip-syncing?). So try listening to chill-out music, the kinds that have no lyrics on them, or even, natural sounds (you know, the forest sounds, with rain and the whole package) also to classical music. You will see your workflow really coming through! It calms you down and helps you create peacefully!

Check out our post The 5 Best Spotify Playlists to Listen to at Work.

4. Eat Healthy!

If you take three, four, big cups of coffee to keep you going, this will most likely keep you going until you need to go to a doctor, very soon. If you eat stuff that will make your body bloat, lots of sugar that will make you too energetic and then slow, deregulate your insulin...I'm sorry to tell you, you are doing this wrong, buddy. Food is fuel. Good fuel keeps your brain (and the rest of your body) functioning very well. Try Mediterranean food, it is complete with all nutrients you need and improves your brain functions as well.

Learn more about healthy eating habits for busy women at Healthy Busy Bee.

" Researchers found a Mediterranean diet may improve cognitive output in elderly people at high risk of heart disease. The antioxidant-rich Mediterranean diet comes packed with polyphenols." (from Happy Project)

5. Take a Break on Social Media

Many (MANY) studies have shown that spending too much time scrolling up and down Instagram, Facebook and other social media might cause mood swings (to say the least), and you won't even notice. Avoid spending too much time hanging on your phone, try shutting everything off, like notebooks and all the tech surrounding you. Even if for an hour or two. This will rest your eyes, your mind, your feelings. Trust us. A detox is necessary to keep the sanity, mostly at these crazy times!

To wrap up, we selected a few "mind refreshers" items to help in this process of restarting your brain.

SPOP POPIT STRESS BALL

1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

samisoler Kinetic Desk Toy

52 Stress Less & Self Care Car

Pop It Fidget

The Dreidel Company Squishy