5 Small Businesses to Support this Holiday Season

 Malia is women owned + run, offers super cute accessories often made from cast offs (end of fabric rolls that will normally get thrown out) or recycled materials (see their dope fish feed bag line) all while being Fair Trade Certified + helping to fight human trafficking.

Shopping with them is seriously a win-win. They have hair ties, big bags, small bags, planter bags, + men’s wallets (my husband rocks one) but I'm most fond of their recycled laundry bag. Throw in stuffed animals, toys, laundry, or damp wetsuits + towels in your trunk - it’s perfect for all the things!

Isn't that so fun to say that? To know who + what you are supporting? To have a name + face to a company - it just feels good.

Kateboards is all about being inclusive, kind, bold, + building community. 

Katie will help you pick out your rig, offer lessons to learn to ride it + even invite you to skate meet ups too if you're in San Diego! She’ll make you feel like skateboarding has been waiting for you to arrive + are glad you made it. Yeeewwwww!

It is t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, + tanks you’ll actually like + want to wear designed by dope a$$  independent artists then made locally + shipped sustainably.

Their stuff is so dope they got me to wear red. RED! I have a red shirt. One. It's the only red thing I own. It's Her Waves.

Go check them out. Then high five yourself for making good choices.

  

Check out her Etsy shop + smile because it's all pretty adorable.

Last, but not least is Hakuna Wear. Jessica is one big welcoming smile who carries science around in her pocket like a set of keys unlocking solutions to surfer problems everywhere. The first issue she tackled was how to keep your swimwear in place in the water. Bikini lock. It’s a thing, it’s glorious + guaranteed. Another problem is where to stash yo’ stuff. Jessica’s answer is in a pocket. In your bathing suit. Not board shorts. Bathing suit! Join me now in an enthusiastic happy dance.  

If you do wear board shorts, however, there will be a pocket for your stuff. And a side tie! A tie on the side. So you don’t lay on it + have it digging into your belly the whole time. Genius!

And once I borrowed my niece’s Hakuna Aloha Shirt Rash Guard at a new surf break and was immediately greeted in the line up by, “Cool shirt!” to which I enthusiastically shouted back, “It’s a rash guard!!” so they also guarantee to make you new friends too. I’m joking. That’s a lie. I think those people were just cool + would have chatted anyway but it doesn’t hurt to be wearing a conversation starter. The shirt will also dry fast enough to wear to tacos afterward with your new friends. That part is true. 

I hope this list was a little helpful + you got a few gift ideas. Even if they’re not for December. And remember there are other ways to support small businesses in addition to purchases. They will always appreciate sharing of this list, of their posts, follows + likes or supportive comments on their threads + tags of you rocking your gear! 

Thanks for hanging out. Merry Happy St. Nicolas Eve, Bodhi Day, Santa Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas + Kwanzaa Everything!