Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held on one of the busiest shopping periods of the year; Saturday after Thanksgiving.
In honor of SBS and all hard working, small businesses and the impact COVID had on them, I am starting a NEW series on my blog. Small Business Saturdays.
Small Business Saturdays will feature new, as well as established and up and coming small businesses. It will showcase artists, local and online businesses, support old and struggling ones and simply share gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season.
Do more. Give back. Support each other.
But first, let me introduce you to these THREE amazing ladies.
Meet Arnela from Arnela Made
Arnela Made provides statement jewelry & headbands you’ll want to wear over and over again. Accessories are inspired by nature and her roots in the Balkans and designed to be unique. Everything is made in small batches by hand with monthly collection drops!
How did you start Arnela Made?
I created Arnela Made from my lifetime love of earrings. Earrings have honestly had a special place in my heart because you can have so much fun with them! There are tons of earrings styles, colors, and shapes (you’ll find plenty of variety at Arnela Made). I personally haven’t met an earring I disliked! There is truly a pair of earrings for every occasion — which is probably why my personal collection is overflowing.
Every pair of earrings I make truly bring me so much joy and I’m grateful I can share that joy with others! Even though earrings might be my favorite accessory, I’ve also started designing my other favorite accessories — necklaces and headbands!
Follow Arnela on her Instagram /arnelamade and don’t forget to check out all of her pieces at arnelamade.com. New collection dropping on 9.16!!!!
DISCOUNT CODE: DIJANA15 for 15% OFF
Meet Ana, a Team Beachbody Coach
I am a full time scientist, a mama of 3 beautiful babies and a wife to an amazing man. To say that I have my hands full, would be an understatement. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
What is your story and how did you start this?
All my life, as far as I can remember, I have been yo-yo dieting. I’ve done the starvation diet, and everything in between. Weight Watchers and counting calories. Everything worked but sure enough, I gained it all back! I wasn’t happy with myself, and then one day I opened my eyes… POOF!
One of my good friends was drinking a shake made by Beachbody called Shakeology. I asked her for more info but was still a skeptic. I thought “I spend $4 daily on coffee so why not try this too’ and I was sold! The taste was amazing, the ingredients are pure and simple with no fillers, and they also offer vegan and whey shakes too.
Shakeology isn’t a meal replacement for me because I eat 3 meals plus 2-3 snacks a day; Shakeology is just one of them. The shake by itself worked but then I started adding some at-home, 30 minute workouts and the weight started coming off. I also followed a nutrition program called 21 Day Fix which helped me hone in my nutrition to shed my first 10 pounds. I got to eat anything I wanted without counting calories or starving myself on rice cakes. My friend finally asked if I wanted to be a coach for at least the discount, so I said why not. Well, I’ve finally decided to take my coaching to the next level and help women and men that are looking for a way out of their fad diets.
Here is my before & after:
I’m using what I know through my background in science and the hard work I put into my body to help others succeed and feel good in their own body and OWN IT! I host accountability groups that help others as well. We give support and encouragement within a small intimate community where everyone backs each other and has the ability to share recipes, check in, share stories, and have fun.
Below are two videos. One showing you a free workout that you can join and that Ana is currently doing, and the other shows what the shakes have as far as nutrition. Take control of your health and contact Ana for more info.
If you would like to learn more please contact Ana via Team Beachbody or email her at aepapadop@gmail.com. You can also find her on Instagram too /sitsas_kitchen
Meet Marica from Miris Candles
Marica Knezevic is the Founder of Miris Candles. Aside from her corporate career in the insurance industry, she is a single mom of two beautiful daughters. She spends her free time working out, cooking, being with her family and of course, creating Miris Candles! Marica is fueled by her passion for understanding the needs of others and being there when it matters.
Marica, how did you start?
In March of 2020 our worlds were changed over night. Everyone stayed at home, schools were closed and nothing since then has been the same. Working from home became a routine and I would wake up, make myself a cup of coffee, light a candle and start my day in the office. After several weeks of doing this I noticed that I was developing headaches and they were getting progressively worse. I was starting to eliminate things that I was doing differently such as lighting up a candle. And wow what a difference – the headaches stopped. I started digging and found out how much paraffin is dangerous for our health and our pets health. This intrigued me to dig more and find a way to make a candle that will not give me headaches and that will be healthy for my household and at the same time have my house smell amazing. This is how I came about creating MIRIS Candles!!
What drives you?
I consider myself a ‘forever student,’ eager to build and grow in my
corporate career as well as my business endeavors. I have a hunger for knowledge and my determination to turn information into action has contributed to most of my recent success at Miris Candles; where I took an idea and created a natural handmade soy candle. Every candle takes into consideration the well-being of my customers, their family, friends and even pets. I spent numerous hours perfecting the formula that would last the longest, smell the best and most importantly, meet my customer’s needs!
I believe mindfulness in the workplace is key to success. Success can be measured in many ways, but the best measure of success is together! Success is a journey and it is one that I and Miris Candles measure by being a part of memorable moments through unforgettable scents.
You can find Miris Candles and her new fall collection on Instagram or Etsy.
Code: SAJA10 for a 10% discount.
These are some amazing women, aren’t they?
Social media has a profound impact on me personally. It allows me to meet and work with some amazing people. Strong, determined go getters. I love their drive and passion and they simply inspire me daily. Thank you Instagram for bringing us together.
Now – it’s your turn! If you would like to be featured in my next series, please email me directly at dijana@hazeleyesmom.com and let’s talk. I look forward to meeting you.
x,
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