Small Businesses I Love

Okay, so I’ve been wanting to share this with you for a while because, over the years, I’ve come across some really beautiful small businesses that I genuinely love. And when I say small businesses, I don't necessarily mean businesses that are trying to become the next huge thing. Some of these businesses have remained small very intentionally, and honestly, I think that's part of what I love about them.

There’s just something different about a business when you can feel the love behind it. You see it in the way they package their products. The ingredients they choose. The little details. The way they tell their story. And honestly, just the care they put into what they're creating.

It makes me want to support them. It makes me want to tell my friends about them. And that's really what this is. I'm not trying to give you some perfectly curated list of things you need to buy. I just wanted to share some of the businesses that have crossed my path throughout the years. Some have become things I consistently reach for, and others are newer discoveries that I've been researching and genuinely feel inspired by.

So imagine we're sitting together having coffee, and I'm just going: “Wait… have you heard of this brand? You have to look at this.” Because that's exactly how I feel about these. Some I've been loving for years. Some I recently discovered. But what they all have in common is a level of intentionality, beauty, and care that I really appreciate.

So, let me tell you about a few of them…

FOR YOUR HAIR

Ren Jord

Okay, we have to start here because Ren Jord has been with me for almost four years now. And this is one of those brands that I can genuinely speak about from my own experience because I've seen the difference in my hair over time.

When I originally reached out to Ren Jord, I was actually dealing with hair shedding. My hair was falling, and I remember looking for something that could help me take better care of my hair and scalp. That's how I discovered them.

I started incorporating their products into my hair care, especially their oil treatment, and over time, it became something I consistently came back to. Four years later, my hair is now below my waist, strong, and the texture of my hair has changed significantly.

Of course, I believe hair health is influenced by many different things: our overall health, genetics, nutrition, and the way we care for it but I can honestly say that Ren Jord has been a consistent part of my personal hair care journey. And when someone asks me what I use, this is one of the brands I always think about. I especially love their Renewing Oil Treatment and the Growth Duo. What I appreciate about their products is the attention given not only to the hair itself but also to the scalp.

For me, using the oil became more than just putting another product in my hair. It became one of those little moments where I slowed down and intentionally cared for myself. And I think that's part of why I've continued to use it for so long. When something has been part of your life for almost four years, you know it's more than just a temporary favorite. This one has earned its place in my routine.

FOR YOUR HOME

My Neighbor's

This is one of the newer businesses I've discovered, and I immediately loved the feeling behind it. My Neighbor's creates tallow and beeswax candles with a focus on simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients. And you know me… I love anything that makes home feel cozy. Give me a candle, a clean kitchen, something warm to drink, worship music playing in the background, and I'm probably very happy.

But what initially drew me to My Neighbor's wasn't just the fact that they make candles. It was the intention behind them. I love discovering businesses where you can tell that the people behind the product have actually thought about what they're creating and how they're creating it. Sometimes we don't think much about the things we bring into our homes because they're such everyday objects. But I've been becoming more intentional about the things I use and the businesses I support. And I love the idea of lighting a candle and knowing that there was care behind the process of making it.

This is definitely a newer discovery for me, and one I'm excited to explore more.

FOR YOUR Thoughts

Paper Republic

If you've been around me for a while, you already know that I love a good journal. Honestly, I probably have more journals than I need. But there's just something about putting pen to paper that feels different. Maybe it's because so much of our lives happen on a screen now. We're constantly typing. Scrolling. Responding. Consuming.

But when you sit down with an actual journal, there's something about it that asks you to slow down. Paper Republic caught my attention because their journals are beautifully made and feel like something you can actually keep with you through different seasons of your life. And, of course, I love that you can personalize them.

I can already picture it. Your name on the cover. A cup of coffee next to you. Your Bible nearby. Pages filled with prayers, thoughts, ideas, dreams, and all the things you're processing in this particular season. The things you're asking God. The things you're learning about yourself. The ideas that come to you at random moments. The prayers you want to remember. That's my kind of thing.

And I love the idea of looking back years from now and finding pieces of who you were in those pages.

FOR YOUR SKIN

LINNÉ

LINNÉ has a very special place on this list because, honestly, when I first discovered the brand, I was desperate. My skin needed help. I remember feeling like I had tried different things and was looking for something that would actually work for me. I wanted something that felt thoughtful, effective, and simple. And that's when I found LINNÉ. Over time, their products became part of my skincare routine, and I genuinely fell in love with the experience of using them.

What I appreciate about LINNÉ is the thoughtfulness behind their approach to skincare and their focus on botanical ingredients and intentional formulations. But beyond that, I noticed a difference in how my skin looked and felt. And honestly, one of the things people tell me now is that I look bright and sometimes they even tell me that I look younger than I did a few years ago.

Of course, skincare is personal, and everyone's skin is different. What works for me may not work the same way for everyone. But I can share my experience. LINNÉ became one of those discoveries that came into my life at a time when I genuinely felt like I needed something different. And I've been grateful that I found them. I also love that my skincare routine doesn't have to feel overwhelming. I'm becoming more and more drawn to that kind of approach. Less clutter. Less buying things simply because someone told us we need them. Less chasing every new product.

More intention. More learning what actually works for you. More choosing a few things you genuinely love and enjoy using. There’s something really lovely about turning skincare into a moment of care instead of another item on your to-do list. And sometimes, that's exactly what it is. A few minutes in the morning or at night. You. Your skin. A little quiet. And a reminder that you are worth taking care of, too.

A recent discovery

Bertioli by Thyme

Okay, this one is a newer discovery for me, but I had to include it.

Bertioli by Thyme immediately caught my attention because of the feeling behind the brand. Everything feels connected to nature, botanicals, simplicity, and creating a slower, more intentional experience. And honestly, I think that's what drew me in.

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to create a life that feels good to actually live in. Not just a life that looks good. Not just a life where we're constantly productive. Not just moving from one accomplishment to the next. But a life where we actually notice what is happening around us.

The scent of your body lotion. A beautiful bath. Fresh sheets. Opening the windows. Lighting a candle. Writing in your journal. Taking your time. I think those little things can become reminders that we are allowed to care for ourselves, too. That we don't have to earn rest. That beauty doesn't have to be extravagant. That slowing down doesn't mean we're doing less with our lives. Sometimes, it simply means we're actually present enough to experience them.

And maybe that's why I love these businesses so much. Because behind the products, I see something bigger that inspires me. People create with intention. People who care about the details. People who haven't lost the heart behind what they're doing. People who are creating something that reflects what they value. And I think that's something I'm learning to do in my own life, too.

To be more intentional. To care about the details. To create from a place of love. And to remember that sometimes, small things can carry a lot of meaning.