Navigating the Amazon dilemma: A small business guide to intentional shopping
As small business owners, we share the dream of moving away from Amazon and championing local shops to keep our money circulating within our communities. Beyond aligning with our personal values, this is essential for the sustainability of businesses like Willinglee. However, for many of us—especially those facing financial challenges—completely avoiding Amazon isn't always feasible.
As a parent to a toddler, I often wish I could be the mom who spends weekends at thrift stores and clothing swaps, but balancing all my responsibilities leaves little time for that. Yes, I feel guilty about it, but I've come to accept that Amazon offers convenience that often (sadly) can't be matched. While I fully support initiatives like blackout days, which remind us to seek local alternatives and foster community connections, there are moments—like when my daughter is sick and needs medicine quickly—when the ease of Amazon becomes a necessity.
So, let's dive deeper. Why do we want to avoid Amazon, and how can we take meaningful steps to shop more locally to support small businesses? What are some viable online alternatives to Amazon? And yes, when might we find ourselves turning to Amazon's marketplace? When we do, how can we shop more intentionally? What are our favorite Amazon go-tos? Let’s explore these questions together and discover ways to strengthen our communities while balancing the realities of modern life.
When to Shop Small
It’s preferable to shop small whenever possible. Purchasing from independent retailers offers several benefits compared to shopping at large corporations like Amazon. When you shop small, you are:
1. Supporting local economies: A larger portion of your money stays within the local economy, supporting local jobs, businesses, and community development.
2. Accessing unique items: Small businesses offer unique, handcrafted, or curated products you might not find on larger platforms.
3. Receiving personalized customer service: Small businesses typically provide a higher level of customer service, allowing for tailored recommendations and support.
4. Fostering community connection: Shopping small fosters a sense of community and connection, as local businesses often participate in community events and support local causes.
5. Promoting sustainability: Many small businesses prioritize sustainable practices, contributing to a healthier planet and reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance shipping.
7. Encouraging economic diversity: Supporting small businesses helps maintain a diverse marketplace, ensuring various options and reducing monopolistic practices.
8. Creating jobs: Small businesses are significant job creators, contributing to employment opportunities and economic stability in communities.
9. Leveraging local knowledge: Small business owners often have extensive knowledge about their products and the local area, enhancing your shopping experience.
12. Enjoying flexibility and responsiveness: Small retailers can often adapt quickly to customer needs and trends, providing a more dynamic shopping experience.
By choosing to shop small, you contribute to a thriving community, enjoy unique products and personalized service, and promote sustainable and ethical business practices. These benefits create a more vibrant and resilient local economy compared to relying solely on larger, corporate retailers.
Our favorite Amazon Alternatives
While Amazon provides convenience and competitive pricing, there are compelling reasons to seek alternatives. Common complaints from customers include poor customer service, delivery issues, inconsistent product quality, and a cumbersome return process. Additionally (and more importantly), concerns about environmental impact, data privacy, and worker safety accentuate the desire for more personalized shopping experiences. If you're looking to shop locally or seek alternatives, here are some recommendations:
Books
Better World Books — A socially conscious bookstore that sells new and used books while supporting literacy initiatives around the world.
Bookshop.org — An online platform that connects readers with independent bookstores, allowing them to purchase books and support local retailers.
Thriftbooks — A treasure trove for book lovers, offering a vast selection of used books at unbeatable prices with a commitment to sustainability.
Gifts
Willinglee (well, we had to!) — A rotating marketplace featuring over 400 intentional, ethically sourced, and sustainably handmade goods, perfect for thoughtful gifting.
Etsy — You likely know about this platform; Etsy is a vibrant online marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique items, supporting artisans and small businesses around the globe.
Uncommon Goods — A curated collection of unique and creative gifts, with a focus on handmade and artisan products that celebrate individuality.
People I’ve Loved — A charming shop that offers quirky and heartfelt gifts, including art prints and stationery that resonate with humor and warmth.
Worthwhile Paper — A stationery brand specializing in beautifully crafted paper goods that promote creativity and connection through thoughtful design.
Small shops near you!
Local businesses these days usually have an online offering as well.
A few of our favorite Austin shops include Take Heart, Parker & Scott, and First Light Books.
Clothes
Primary — My go-to for online kids’ clothing, whenever I’m not shopping locally at Sparkle Kids. Primary emphasizes bright colors and simple designs, making it easy to mix and match.
Quince — A brand dedicated to providing quality, timeless clothing at reasonable prices, focusing on sustainable materials and ethical production.
Marine Layer — One of my faves because they’re a B Corp, use recycled fabrics, and accept returns for 365 days after purchase. Now that’s a company that stands behind its products!
Kids
LALO — A brand specializing in high-quality toys and essentials designed to inspire creativity and imagination in children. Pricey but the quality holds up.
KiwiCo — A subscription service that delivers fun, educational STEM projects to kids, encouraging hands-on learning and exploration.
Sarah’s Silks — A delightful collection of vibrant play silks that encourage imaginative play, available in various styles and colors. This company offers many sales throughout the year, so wait for one to make your first purchase!
Bella Luna Toys — A curated selection of high-quality, eco-friendly toys that promote open-ended play and creativity in children.
Plan Toys — A brand committed to sustainability, producing eco-friendly wooden toys that inspire creativity and learning through play.
Melissa & Doug — A trusted name in children's toys, offering a wide range of educational and imaginative play products that foster creativity.
Food
Thrive Market — An online grocery store offering organic and non-GMO products at wholesale prices, with a commitment to sustainability and accessibility.
Vitacost — A health-focused online retailer that offers a vast selection of organic foods, supplements, and personal care items at competitive prices.
Costco — A membership-based warehouse club that offers a wide variety of bulk products, from groceries to electronics, at competitive prices, while emphasizing quality and value for families and businesses alike. Plus, they treat their employees right and have committed to keeping up with DEI practices. Thank you!
Home
Public Goods — A one-stop shop for minimal, sustainable household products that prioritize quality and environmental responsibility. It’s a membership model, so you just gotta make sure that $80 fee is worth it.
Blue Land — This is where we now get all our home cleaning supplies. Blue Land is an innovative brand offering eco-friendly cleaning supplies in sustainable packaging, designed to reduce single-use plastic waste. The cleaning supplies are free from harmful chemicals such as parabens, phosphates, and synthetic fragrances, promoting a healthier home environment for families… plus, it’s all in sustainable packaging, too! AND their pods are easy to use. A win-win-win!
When to Shop Amazon
Supporting small businesses is crucial, but there are times when Amazon can be a lifeline, especially during challenging seasons. Here's how Alex and I shop Amazon intentionally (do note, these are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we receive a small kickback):
1. Bulk Essentials
Buying bulk on Amazon can save time and money for frequently used items. Still, we try not to purchase anything too heavy or large from Amazon because we know that takes its toll on the environment. We find good deals on:
Hand soap
Foods that are tough to find at your grocery, especially if you have dietary restrictions. When we’re unable to make a trip to Costco, we buy this flour—if you’re GF it’s THE BEST.
2. Long-lasting, Efficiency-Boosting Items
Invest in products that will save you money and effort in the long run:
Dryer balls (to replace dryer sheets and speed up drying time)
Reusable cleaning pads or sponge alternatives
Durable extension cords
Baskets and bins for organizing
3. Hard-to-Find Necessities
Amazon can also be a good option for specific items you can’t find locally. For example:
Specialty coffee makers
We love these natural air purifiers
Rug gripper pads if you, too, are baby-proofing
Sometimes quality, cotton pajamas for our little ones are weirdly difficult to find
4. Supporting Small Businesses on Amazon
Yes, you can support small businesses while shopping on Amazon:
Use the small business hub to purchase from individually-owned businesses.
Look for the "small business" tag on product listings.
Check the "sold by" information to identify small business sellers.
5. Time-Sensitive Needs
When you need something quickly and can't wait for local store hours, Amazon's fast shipping can be a lifesaver. And we don’t think we should be made to feel guilty about that!
Tips for Intentional Shopping
To make your Amazon shopping more intentional, consider these tips:
Set a budget and stick to it. Don’t let yourself get lured in by the “similar” items.
Make a list before browsing to avoid impulse purchases.
Compare prices with local stores when possible.
Let the items sit in your cart for a day, a few days, or as long as a week before purchasing. This helps to cut down on impulse purchasing while ensuring you’re shipping in as few packages as possible. This has helped us avoid bringing unnecessary items into our home countless times.
Choose to ship everything on the same day to reduce emissions.
Use Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" for regular essentials to save money.
Our go-to Amazon finds
Beyond the links above, here are some of our favorite finds that have saved us—can you tell we’re new parents?:
Baby onesies — because nothing is cuter: Little Planet, Honest Company, Simple Joys
The best long sleeve bib
The best diaper balm
It’s all about balance
Ultimately, the goal is balance. By shopping intentionally on Amazon for certain items, you can free up resources to support small businesses for others. It's not about avoiding Amazon completely, but rather about using it wisely as part of a broader, community-minded shopping strategy.
Yes, we’re small business owners. We’re also parents of a young child and busy with multiple jobs. We like to think we understand the challenges our customers face. We hope this guide on how to shop smartly across all platforms helps to build trust and show that we genuinely care about your well-being – not just our bottom line. Together, we believe we can strengthen our communities while navigating the complexities of today’s world. Stay safe out there, friends.
