How to help small businesses keep afloat

Since 2020, small businesses have been hammered by a string of compounding challenges: the pandemic, Brexit-related trade complications, inflation, rising interest rates, and now a cost-of-living crisis that has shrunk consumer spending. Half a million closures in just a few years reflects not just economic downturns but also a structural shift away from the diversity and individuality that small enterprises offer.

Most people want to support small, local, or ethical businesses — but when your weekly budget barely covers the essentials, the idea of spending extra on handmade or independent goods can feel like a luxury you just can’t afford.

But supporting independent businesses doesn’t always mean spending more money. Here are some meaningful, low-cost or no-cost ways you can help:

Spread the word

• Like, comment on, and share their posts on social media. Algorithms favour engagement — this increases visibility and helps them reach paying customers.

• Leave a positive review on Google, Etsy, Trustpilot, or wherever they sell. A glowing review can be as valuable as a sale.

Buy thoughtfully when you do spend

• When you do need to buy something — a gift, card, household item, food, etc. — check if a local or independent seller offers it first.

• Even small purchases like a £3 bar of handmade soap, a loaf from a local bakery, or a birthday card from a local artist make a difference.

Use community-driven models

• Attend or promote local markets, craft fairs, and pop-ups, even just to show up, take photos, and share.

Support the idea of small business in your conversations

• Talk about the value of local shops and makers. Advocate for them when conversations with friends turn to shopping.

Here at Poppy and Honesty, we’re really feeling the pinch. Like so many small, independent businesses, the rising costs of living and the drop in non-essential spending have made things incredibly tough.

We know everyone’s watching their pennies right now — we are too — and we completely understand that shopping small isn’t always an option. But if you’d like to support us in other ways, we would be so grateful. Every little action helps keep independent shops like ours alive.

Here are just some of our favourite independent shops

The Snow Shepperd : Handcrafted, sustainable homeware and play things.

Lowena Flowers ; Beautiful independent florist based in Falmouth. Heavenly buckets of flora and fauna.

Stocky and Dee : Woven pet accessories handmade in Scotland from premium yarns and velvets.

Florence Mytum : Colourful ceramics in quirky designs.

Grace Percival Designs : Original artwork of all your favourite things put together in a hand painted frame.

Please share the small business love and add your recommendations below.

Sophie xxx

Small Shop Directory : Home

Ceramics

Marigold and Lettuce create beautiful chunky white china. I love the way you can see the potters’ thumbprints in each piece. Best of all you can throw everything in the dishwasher which is a massive win in my book.

Florence Mytum. If you are a fan of wobbly china you will love Florence Mytum’s mugs and candle holders. I have the gorgeous wiggle mugs in the studio, they are robust and everyone admires them. Florence is a ceramic artist based in East London.

EOT Ceramics are all handmade in Cornwall. Emily’s designs are perfect someone who favors a paired back Scandinavian aesthetic. We particularly love the dimple mugs. Keep a look out for EOT’s winter collection launching on 13th November

Textiles

In Casa by Paboy : Paboy crafts the most beautiful cushions, towels and other accessories from vibrant cottons expertly patch-worked together. Each piece is a work of art. Paboy has the most astonishing and inspiring story and this is definitely a fantastic small business to support this Christmas.

Sunday and Story : Alongside sourcing amazing rugs from around the world, Josephine has a lovely selection of smaller pieces such as wool pouffes, pretty jute placemats and Kilm Cushions.

Poppy and Honesty : From pouches to huge scalloped edged quilts, we have a gift for almost everyone. All of our textiles are handmade from start to finish in Cornwall from Liberty fabrics, our exclusive linens and velvets. Please check our lead times for bedding sets and quilts.

Cards and Art Prints

Mimi Dickson : Mimi is the queen of beautiful tiny illustrations featuring little nostalgic joys such as Penguin Classics and jars of Marmite. Mimi makes beautiful cards and personally I would rather send x5 of her special creations that x50 generic Christmas cards from Tescos.

Charlotte Farmer : Bold coloured screenprints and wild designs (some even glow in the dark). These prints would be the perfect gift for someone with a sense of humour and a colourful home.

Rosie Harbottle : Gentle watercolour and pastel prints of still life compositions and more stylised images. Based in Dartmoor, Rosie’s beautiful paintings and prints are so pretty and nostalgic.

Other lovely things

The Appreciation Project : Natasha stocks the most beautiful selection of dried flowers which will look lovely and delicate on your mantlepiece even when the fire’s roaring and the heating’s wacked up. The Appreciation Project also sources the most exquisite marble vases.

Folie Chambre : Alongside beautiful bobbin mirrors and lamps, Natalie also makes candle holders and christmas decorations. Folie Chambre is known for amazing British craftsmanship as beautiful antique treasures.

I totally understand that shopping exclusively from small brands is not budget friendly for most families, however I hope that there is a small way you can support little independent businesses this Christmas. Please add your favourite small brands to the comments below, we’d love to know where you find your treasures.

Sophie xxx