Because a little kindness goes a very long way.
If you’ve ever stumbled across a tiny corner of the internet filled with hand-drawn illustrations, handmade treasures, or cosy creations and thought,
“I love this—but I can’t shop right now”—
this post is for you.
Running a small creative business is full of joy, paint smudges, late-night doodles, and a lot of love. But it also comes with nerves, wobbly confidence, and a tendency to happy-cry when someone says something kind. (Or maybe that’s just me and Dotty.)
The good news? You don’t need to spend a penny to make a big difference.
Here are a few completely free, friendly, and fabulous ways to support a small creative like me—or any other maker, dreamer, or doodler out there.
💛 1. Like, Share, Save (and Sprinkle the Kindness)
Social media isn’t just for cats in teacups (though I love those too). For small businesses, it’s often our shop window, cheer squad, and way of reaching new people.
A quick like, a little comment, or a simple share of a post can help more people see our work.
Bonus points if you save a post (especially on Instagram)—it tells the algorithm “Hey! This is nice!”
✨ 2. Tell a Friend (Word of Mouth Is Magic)
Whether it’s a chat over coffee, a message in a WhatsApp group, or a quick “have you seen this cute card?” while scrolling with your partner, word of mouth is gold.
Small creatives grow through real people sharing real love. (You don’t have to shout it from the rooftops—unless you’re Neddy, in which case, please be careful.)
📝 3. Leave a Kind Review
If you’ve ever purchased from a small shop—even months ago—leaving a review means the world.
It builds trust for future buyers and gives the creator a much-needed boost of “Yes! Someone liked it!” energy. You never know—your kind words might be the exact encouragement someone needs to keep going.
📬 4. Subscribe, Follow, or Bookmark
Subscribing to a creative’s email list, following their blog, or simply bookmarking their shop for later helps us stay connected—even if now’s not the time to shop.
You’ll be the first to know about new things, and you might just get the inside scoop on sales, sneak peeks, or silly stories about ducks wearing glasses. (Hi, Dotty.)
🦉 5. Leave a Lovely Comment
Sometimes it’s as simple as saying,
“This made me smile.”
“Your work is beautiful.”
“This owl is clearly a literary genius.”
A quick comment, message or email can completely turn around a small business owner’s day. It reminds us why we do what we do.
🌈 And if you do want to shop one day…
…we’ll be right here. With cards, bookmarks, characters full of heart, and a whole lot of hand-drawn magic waiting just for you.
Until then, every like, share, and kind word is a seed of support. And small things? They grow big feelings.
Thanks for reading—and if you’ve already supported me in one of these little ways, please know it means more than you think.
Pearl says you’re wonderful.