Supporting Small Businesses: Why We're Committing to a No-Amazon Year

For years, Amazon has been an easy way to find and purchase my favorite products. With lightning-fast shipping, endless product options, and one-click purchases, it’s designed to keep us coming back. But, in starting a small business, we have realized just how much it means to us to purchase directly. Many small businesses are already operating at smaller margins and trying to grow, and the Amazon fees cut into that. This year, we want to be more mindful and deliberate about where we put our dollars. That is why we are committed to a no-Amazon year. It may be a little less convenient at times but we think that supporting small businesses is worth it

Here’s why we’re making the shift and how we’re intentionally supporting small businesses instead.

1. Supporting Small Businesses Beyond Amazon

While Amazon does allow independent sellers to list their products, it’s far from a small-business-friendly platform. Sellers face high fees, unpredictable algorithm changes, and intense pressure to slash prices—all of which make it difficult to grow a sustainable business.

Beyond that, Amazon has a history of undercutting small businesses by monitoring what products perform well and then creating their own versions at lower prices. This kind of competition isn’t just unfair—it’s designed to push small brands out.

2. Ethical Implications of Supporting Small Businesses

The speed and convenience of Amazon’s services come at a cost. Reports over the years have raised concerns about warehouse working conditions, employee wages, and labor rights violations. While we all love fast shipping, the reality is that meeting unrealistic delivery expectations often comes at the expense of workers who are dealing with grueling shifts and high-pressure environments.

3. Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity

Amazon’s marketplace is filled with counterfeit products, misleading listings, and mass-produced goods that don’t always meet quality expectations. By shifting our shopping habits, we’re focusing on brands that prioritize craftsmanship, ethical production, and sustainability—not just mass production.

4. Where We’re Shopping Instead

So if we’re skipping Amazon, where are we shopping? The good news is there are so many incredible small businesses that offer beautiful, high-quality products while ensuring fair wages, ethical sourcing, and thoughtful customer service.

Here are some of our go-to alternatives: To make it even easier we keep a list of all our favorites in one place: Little Nest Preschool Essentials

• Etsy – A marketplace full of handmade and small-batch goods from independent creators.
• Ten Little – Thoughtfully designed kids’ essentials that prioritize comfort and sustainability.
• Little Apologies – Apology cards to help little ones express big feelings. 
• Bookshop.org – An online bookstore that supports local, independent booksellers instead of large corporations.

5. The Impact of Supporting Small Businesses Through Intentional Spending

At the end of the day, every purchase we make sends a message about what we value. We want to know that where we spend our hard-earned money is going to benefit a company that has earned it. By choosing to shop small, we’re helping to create a marketplace that values craftsmanship, community, and ethical business practices. It’s a small shift, but one that makes a big difference for independent businesses working hard to create meaningful products.

We believe that through intentional spending, we can make a big impact by supporting companies that align with our values. The Little Nest is committed to finding premium products that prioritize eco-friendly practices, have outstanding quality, and are made by businesses we want to advocate for.

This year, we’re shopping with intention—and we hope you’ll join us. Let’s make every dollar count.