I am an avid follower of the social media musings of Jayde Leeder who owns a small gift and stationery business in Mona Vale called Little Paper Lane. Apart from the shop, Jayde and her husband run a diverse business that is incredibly creative. I frequent either in store or online for unusual gifts and cards and an opportunity to top up my obsession with unique lead pencils. So if you haven’t come across Little Paper Lane in real life or on social media, you need to know that Jayde writes one of the most honest and brave blogs that I read regularly. This week she bared it all about the struggles of running a small retail business and how hard it is to survive.
And it got me thinking about the buy local conversation. Out of the over 30 businesses that are supporting the Paying 40 Forward fundraiser a large majority of them are local small businesses. So while these people work a lot of hours and put in a lot of effort to bring you their craft, creativity and best they can be; they are also extremely giving people.
So here is a few of the locals that are helping us help the Australian Shunt Registry. Please follow them on social media, visit their shops, buy their wares, engage their services and remember retail happiness lasts longer when its local.
Casey’s Toys
This family business has been playing the game since the 1970s. And while you may see a fair few stores around Sydney and the Central Coast, these guys have a heart and a huge range of toys to choose from. They have a new location at Warringah Mall and Ryan was one of the first people to respond to the call for our cause.
Ever So Sweet
Linda can make an any ordinary table look like Willy Wonka came to town. If you have a sweet tooth then look no further than Ever So Sweet lolly buffet hire and styling, It super creative and a great alternative to dessert at any function. Sweetness never looked so good!
Cloud 9 Event Management
Well I have seen Amy in action a few times over the last couple years from really classy engagement events to helping rock out one of the craziest 40th birthday’s I have attended this year. Amy and her team bring the event magic and can take away the stress. For us she has just been a great help in finishing all the minor touches that are great details in any event!
Goodnessbe
I was introduced to Natalia from Goodnessbe through a mate from high school. These girls have a really fresh range of stationery, home wares and art. You can order online from their diverse range of creative talents and they have a passion for distinctive design that is beautiful, colourful, with a cheeky sense of humour. They create unique heirlooms, symbols of something GOOD passed forward from one person to another. Kind of fitting for our Paying40Forward campaign!
Hansson Handplanes
This local business started in a garage in 2012, the result of some left over timber and a movie called ‘come hell or high water’. What began, as a fun alternative to surfing quickly became a passion. Regardless of past experience, age or skill level, bodysurfing is an accessible pastime for everyone. Mark Hansson designs and manufactures handplanes that are environmentally conscious, personally handcrafted in Australia from locally sourced Paulownia timber, no two are ever identical. And not only that Mark donates 1% of all profits to non-for-profit environment organisations through the 1% for the Planet program.
Heiwa Health
Beth has been in the health and fitness industry for the past 8 years, teaching yoga, facilitating meditation and also working as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and massage therapist. Beth believes that everyone can benefit from regular yoga practice, as it improves and connects the body, mind and spirit.
Hit Café
Rhonda heads up my local family run café, and yes I am a regular. Most of you who know me, know my blood is two-thirds caffeine and if I am not scoring a take-away and a yummy café-baked muffin you will find me grinding their beans in the machine at home – it’s the best pit stop in Dee why.
Integrated Holistic Health Practice
Megan is a qualified naturopath and remedial massage therapist based in Brookvale with further qualifications in pregnancy massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. Megan’s philosophy of good health is keeping a healthy balance of life’s indulgences with healthy attributes for an enriched life of health, wellness and happiness.
Mona Vale Massage Clinic
Well Anita has muscles on her muscles in her hands from many years of practice at remedial massage. The clinic at Mona Vale has 8 therapists with a wide range of massage therapies on offer and a focus on post treatment advice and education to maintain your body at its best.
Omnom Cheese
Marly is the Cheese Queen; at Omnom they supply Cheese Making Kits, cheese making ingredients, equipment and supplies. Easy-to-use DIY Cheese Making Kits are perfect for beginners, and are designed to be used in the home kitchen with no fancy equipment needed. Omnom runs making workshops and cheese making classes in and around the Sydney
Oscar & Sadie
Lucy is a Northern Beaches mum who runs Oscar & Sadie an online fashion and accessories boutique. Oscar & Sadie’s focus is on bringing beautiful, unique bohemian inspired pieces to women around the world. Lucy’s love of colour and soft breathable Summer fabrics has found her not only sourcing this type of fashion from overseas but designing and making her own pieces in unique fabrics and styles.
Pilu at Freshwater
Giovanni and Marilyn have been bringing the Northern Beaches great Sardinian and Italian food since 2004. Using locally sourced ingredients, Giovanni creates modern, contemporary Italian dishes inspired by Italy’s numerous culinary regions – from Lombardy in the north to Campania in the south.
Pittwater Golf Centre
Located on the Northern Beaches of Sydney there are 36 holes of fun and adventure from the first hole till the last! Mini golfing is one of the most popular activities where age is no barrier!
Puppoose
Naomi is at the top of her trade with Dog Grooming. She is on the Australian Grooming team and her business is based in Seaforth. So if your dog is in need of new do, Puppoose can either come to you in one of their mobile units or check out the shop with their wide range of doggie accessories and treats!
Sydney Advanced Physio
Pip has spent years dedicating herself to the expansion of her knowledge and skill base in physiotherapy and is the principal therapist at Sydney Advanced Physio in LIndfield. She can even treat the spine using her feet! She has recently certified as a Pinc physio to increase her knowledge in the area of cancer recovery care. Pip has also spent time providing physio coverage to a variety of sporting events including rugby, Nitro Circus Sydney 2012 tour, and the Hopman Cup tennis. After spending a year working in London Pip decided to return to Sydney where she also ran a charity that raised funds for thyroid cancer.
The Gorilla Pit
While not exactly a full blown business yet, the Gorilla Pit is the home base of a small beer loving group of friends and Mark is behind it all with a mean BBQ and Bar setup he posts regularly about the enormous range of beers available and what piece of meat is best to cook to accompany it on the BBQ. We are lucky to blessed with some home brew and some merchandise.
The Rocks Ghost Tours
I met Wesley on my way to a charity ball – he was driving my uber. And we got chatting about charity and the act of giving and right there in the car he said how about some tickets to my other business. The Rocks Ghost Tours is where to hear true stories of murder, hangings, hauntings and Ghosts as you journey along the cobblestone lanes into the hidden areas of the birthplace of Australia.
The Shabby Chick
Claire runs The Shabby Chick from home on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. After years working in and around marketing departments for corporates – she found some true loves… paint, furniture, antiques, colour, texture, history, design, light, shapes, styling and decor. For Claire, The Shabby Chick is an amazing journey, constantly romanced by old furniture, inspired by new ideas and committed to bringing these things together to create her own unique furniture style.
Wannabes
Wannabees Family Play Town is a themed indoor play centre where children discover what they wanna be when they grow up. Featuring a child size city where your kids can experience first hand what it is to have a real job. They can play to be firefighters, police officers, doctors, beauticians and many more in one of the Wannabees City buildings.
Wildwater
Wildwater Grill overlooking Dee Why beach towards Long Reef is where our family goes to eat great steak. Renowned for their mouth-watering pork ribs and prime cuts of char grilled steaks, it’s the perfect place to sit back and relax whilst watching the waves.
Earth Angels Unique Beauty
Whether it’s a facial, wax or tanning treatment, Carly at Earth Angels has got you covered. Located in Narrabeen with a range of treatments to suit everyone, like her facebook page to keep up with the regular specials she has on offer.
Check out THE HELP Page for the all the businesses small, medium, large, local or national that are making our cause happen.