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Family Business Love | A Small Brand Collab

Being a small family-owned business ourselves, we actively seek out other similarly based businesses whenever we're shopping for something new. This holds true not just for Smiling Tree Toys, but in our personal lives as well. It's important for us to practice what we preach and shop ethically in ALL ways. Luckily, we live in a world that not only enables creatives to bring their ideas to life but also present them to the world.

I have found the most adorable things for my kids are crafted by parents just like us. There is definitely a growing market for parents looking for businesses who are environmentally, socially, and economically responsible. People who use their businesses to create good and promote change in the world. If you share these values with us, read on as we share a few of our favorite artisans and their incredible products, and look for a discount code good across all four shops at the end of this article :)

FINCH DESIGNS

Finch DesignsFinch Designs, the home of modern, fresh, handmade goods for women, mothers, children and babies. 
A fellow southern Minnesota-based business, I first discovered Finch Designs when I was looking for a lovey for my oldest son. The shop was founded by Lisa Finch, who was in need of a way to stay home with her son as he recovered from an injury. Her childhood love for sewing gave her the skills needed to start her shop, and the rest is history! Think stuffies, bibdanas, baby blankets/loveys, nursing scarves and more in modern prints and soft textures to stimulate baby's senses. Each beautiful item is handcrafted in her studio located in Mankato, MN.

Finch Designs Bibdana & Baby Hat
Find them online:
Etsy
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

MAMA SAID TEES

Mama Said Tees The Kindness Key box

The Mama Said Tees KINDNESS KEY box. Everything you need to begin your kindness journey.

Some days, it's not easy to see the good in the world. Enter Mama Said Tees and their #EVERYDAYKIND mission! The message is simple: do something kind every day. This doesn't have to be difficult, any kind gesture counts. Whether it be something relatively small such as holding the door for someone, or something much larger like shoveling your neighbor's sidewalk after a snowstorm. Colleen B and Colleen S, founders of Mama Said Tees, believe when we all spread kindness, we are taking it upon ourselves to make the world a better place. I have to agree! You can read more and print your own #everydaykind cards here.

See the Good tee | Mama Said Tees

More than just a tee shirt shop, MST offers clothing and accessories for children and adults with designs featuring clever quotes to inspire the young and old alike. "Let Your Smile Change the World", "Kind is the New Cool", "See the Good" are just a few to remind us to choose love+kindness every day. My personal favorite: "I'm Kind. I Swear." ;)

Find them online:
MamaSaidTees.com
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

BATZ KIDS

Today I.... took first step, giggled etc. Milestone Blanket™ | Batz Kids

"Today I.... took first step, rolled over, giggled, etc. Milestone Blanket™"

The first year of baby's life goes SO. FAST. Too fast, if you ask me. I for one want to document everything! BATZkids makes the most adorable milestone blankets and (new!) fitted crib sheets for photographing your precious little one as she grows. Their designs are both modern and simple to keep the focus on the beautiful baby! There are items for photographing baby month-by-month, commemorating holidays, and even ones to mark those oh-so-important milestones! A few of my faves: Friends + Best Friends Age Milestone Blanket, Castle Age Milestone Blanket, and their new bedding collection is to die for!

BrushStroke Milestone Crib Sheet

Chelsie started Batz Kids when she was 38 weeks pregnant (not a typo!) with her third child. She was searching for a quick and easy way to document her baby's growth while also caring for her other two children. When she was unable to find what she had in mind, she created it herself. Other mommas saw her creations and wanted the same for their little babes. From there, Batz Kids was born!

Find them online:
BatzKids.com
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

Your Turn to Shop!

We've teamed up with these three shops to offer an exclusive discount code for our readers. Use code SMALLBIZLOVE at checkout to take 15% off your order.

SHOP NOW:
Finch Designs
Mama Said Tees
BATZkids
Smiling Tree Toys

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