CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Small Business Saturday is just about here, and if you're looking for a few businesses to support, look no further. We talked with a few local shops and businesses to make it easy on you!
Many of them partner with Made Cleveland, who we first told you about in 2020. Founder Ash O'Connor wanted to create a space for people to search for local businesses that would double as a way for those businesses to gain exposure. The idea started as an online guide and has blossomed into a temporary pop-up space in the old City Buddha storefront in Cleveland Height's Coventry neighborhood.
In fact, many of the businesses featured here will be at Made Cleveland's pop-up shops on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Check out the details below.
And now, check out the businesses! Happy Shopping!
Rocket E3 Designs
Owner Scott Hudson makes T-shirts with Cleveland pride that reflect his witty humor. He took the business on full-time last year after losing his full time job to COVID-19.
"So I do T-shirts mostly, and posters and stickers," he says.
Check out his designs on his Etsy shop.
Glamour Edge Beauty
Owner Precious Russell has been in the makeup business 16 years and says she never found anything perfect for her skin. That's why she decided to take matters into her own hands with her high-pigment, vegan makeup line.
"It's been hard to find makeup that actually showed up on my complexion and others. As I noticed as I was getting older, it was irritating my eyes. So that's why I created this formula. It's good for people with sensitive eyes, and hypoallergenic."
She uses castor oil instead of normal makeup products to make it easier on the skin. Check out her website to see all she offers.
Larchmere FireWorks
For a great, unique holiday gift, why not get some locally blown glass? Tina Haldiman owns Larchmere Fireworks, and started it after taking her own class and falling in love. You can take classes and buy their beautiful, hand-made items at different pop-ups around town.
"When I first started blowing glass, I was raising my five kids on my own and I really needed an outlet. So glass blowing became really me, finding my sanity during that crazy time," Haldiman says. "I would go when my kids were in school and learn as much as I could at the shop and the guys were really good about letting me learn. And then once my kids got older I decided to make this a career."
Larchmere Fireworks used to be located in the Larchmere neighborhood, but after COVID-19 you can now find them in the Made Cleveland pop-up shop in the old City Buddha storefront. You can also learn more and sign up for classes on their site.
Furahi: A Taste of Home
Esther Ngemba's "Furahi: A Taste of Home" home goods line is derived right from her African roots. Coming to America just 10 years ago, Ngemba still loves to celebrate her Congolese culture. She has since elevated that into a business, selling African spices, food, table spreads, aprons and tote bags. She also teaches African cooking classes. Her inspiration comes from the idea that a meal in African culture is so much more than nourishing your body, but also enjoying family, personal time and learning more about one's culture.
"When I started Furahi, it was something that I thought was going to be so small because it was from my family and my culture to yours," Ngemba says. "But then I realized, Furahi a Taste of Home, a taste of my home is so big, so now I'm expanding to like tote bags, aprons, and really sharing with you guys more about my culture. So you can learn about my culture, the African prints, just like you can learn so much more about my home, so you can get a little taste of my home."
You can learn more about her business on Instagram. Furahi's website is currently under construction ahead of a rebrand launching in the new year.
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