Some thoughts about running & promoting a small business when the world seems to be falling apart…

Small business owner real talk- the current news coming out of Israel and Gaza is devastating. As a mother and a human being in general, I often find it difficult to go about my normal day to day life while these horrific things are happening. As a small business owner I truly struggle posting about jewelry and candles and all things beautiful that are by no means necessary while these awful things keep happening in the world. I recently took a business class that had me revisit why I decided to open a small business in the first place. What was I providing to my community? What is my purpose and motivation? I was honest during this portion of the class and shared that I sometimes struggle finding meaning in what I do while the world at large seems to be falling apart. To this point, my instructor brought up the concept “Bread & Roses”, a slogan that is tied to the women’s suffrage movement and has references back to Roman times as well. This concept of bread & roses follows the belief that humans don’t just need food, shelter and security to thrive, but also art, music, literature, nature & beauty. The bread feeds the body, but the roses, the bits of beauty and light, feed the soul. So now when I am struggling to find purpose in what I do while the world continues to go to hell, I have been trying to focus on spreading the roses. I hope to bring a tiny bit of light and beauty and kindness to my corner of the world. While I often feel helpless and defeated, I can at least focus on spreading roses to my little community during a time when we need it most. That’s the absolute least that I can do, and hopefully it brings a tiny bit of joy. Sending love to you all