One of the best things about having offices across North America (and the world) is the ability to make a positive impact in so many communities.
As we enter a season of giving, we polled our people for their favorite small, independently-owned businesses, and boy did they deliver! We hope you’ll find some inspiration, some gift ideas and maybe even something for yourself while supporting some of our favorite entrepreneurs.
Food & Beverage
Los Angeles, CA
HiFi Espresso
“HiFi is family-owned and some of the best coffee in town!” – Alan Day, Sr. PM/Sr. Estimator
Riera’s Place
Riera’s Place is owned by a local family whose ties of serving food in Redondo Beach go well back to the 1940’s.
San Francisco, CA
Aslam’s Rasoi
“Owners Asan and Sonia run the house and kitchen, preparing my favorite (and IMO) the best Indian/Pakistani cuisine in the city!” – Suzanne Fritz Hanson, VP Executive Creative Director
Nashville, TN
SYP Coffee
“Based in Franklin, TN, former client Craig Margolius is the founder and owner of SYP Coffee (Savor Your Planet). Ever the entrepreneur at heart and lover of coffee, he left his corporate job to start a gifting coffee company. Craig is also a pretty amazing person with a big heart. He travels at least once per year to a remote plantation where he buys his beans for the month and visits the owners to learn more about the process of the harvest.” – Ryan Burke, SVP Group Account Director
Read SYP Coffee’s incredible story (and buy some delicious local coffee!)
Brightside Bake Shop
Our GPJ Nashville team are frequent patrons of Brightside Bake Shop for surprise & delight items and local employee events.
Marigold Popcorn
Marigold Popcorn is a contemporary gourmet popcorn shop in Nashville, Tennessee. They create unique, delicious popcorn flavors popped with love daily.
Austin, TX
Pollos Asados El Norteño
Family-owned, Pollos Asados El Norteño started off as an opportunity and desire to own their own food truck. They started with the simple idea of bringing fresh, authentic Mexican food to the community and have now expanded to two brick and mortar locations in the Austin area.
Sunrize Tea
“Woman-owned, operates from Austin and it’s amazing. Her Banana Luna Nut tastes like banana bread, Peach Ooh La La is also dessert-like without the sweetness (unless you choose to add it) and Vanilla Earl Grey Escape is heavenly.” – Marina Royston, Sr. Event Manager
Detroit, MI
Sick Pizza Company
“Sick Pizza Company in Oxford. They are amazing humans with huge hearts. They raised $100,000 for the families who lost their kids on November 30, 2021 in the Oxford High School shooting. If you donated, they gave you a free pizza, more than 2,300 of them. On this year’s anniversary, they are setting up a free pizza buffet for Oxford students next door at the arcade, Mr. Zeros Quarter Cafe. 248-628-1540, ask for Scott Taylor.” – Kim Buckland, Sr. Event Manager
Retail
Boston, MA
Dr. Pussums
Maine’s premium catnip toys and gifts for cat lovers.
Park Street Books
New England’s largest children’s book & toy store plus paint your own pottery place.
Detroit, MI
Applewood Candle Co.
“Local candle company in Detroit Metro Michigan area. A very cool concept clean-burning coconut-soy candles, with wooden wicks & pure scent blends, safe for pets & humans.” – John Staniszewski Jr., Director Business Ops
The Peacock Room
“Woman-owned clothing boutique and the owner (Rachel Lutz) is VERY involved in promoting all small business in the City of Detroit.” – Molly Briggs, Sr. Account Director
That Gay Guy Candle Co.
“Based in Ann Arbor, MI. The scents are incredible, the labels are fun and a percentage of each sale supports LGBTQ+ causes.” – Molly Briggs, Sr. Account Director
South Street Skate Shop
“A family-owned in Rochester. They do a lot to support the local community and they have pretty cool bags, clothes, shoes and skateboards.” – Sarah Frantz, Exec Event Producer
Nashville, TN
White’s Mercantile
White’s Mercantile, also known as “A general store for the modern tastemaker” is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Holly Williams. What began in 2013 as an attempt to fill a shopping void in Nashville, save an iconic old gas station and revitalize the concept of a general store, has turned into a retail phenomenon boasting five locations across the Southeast and more on the horizon.
Austin, TX
Addie Rose Boutique
Addie Rose boutique is a contemporary women’s boutique in Austin, TX. The boutique brings ladies an alluring, carefully edited collection of affordable fashion-forward clothing, accessories and gifts! The boutique suits all budgets & focuses on showcasing styles of strong women who excite, encourage & inspire.
The Little Gay Shop
Shop products designed by independent LGBTQAI+ artists and makers from around the world. Be proud, shop local, support small, and promote your fellow queers
Paws on Chicon
Austin’s local nutrition-focused pet store. At Paws on Chicon you’ll find a wide selection of wholesome dog and cat food, treats and supplements. “Great local pet store!” – Brandon Farmahini, Content and Speaker Services Project Manager
San Francisco
Double Down Skate Zine
“An amazing women-owned skate shop in the Mission called Double Down! A great place to buy your loved ones presents, art and really cool things made by the locals of SF. The owner is amazing and so is their cause!” – Shivangi Srivastava, Ignite Coordinator
Abode in Half Moon Bay
“I support this little boutique shop every year as they have feature a lot of local artists!”
Flora & Fauna
Floral shop in Half Moon Bay w/ unique gifts.
Tanya Slye Design
Succulents and plan design. BEAUTIFUL plants/gifts.
Oakland Yard
“My uncle, Daniel Schmidt, owns a fantastic wine shop in Oakland called Oakland Yard. You won’t find any brand name bottles, as they are all hand picked from small wineries around the world. If you visit the shop and tell him what you typically enjoy, he will curate a selection for you.” – Emma Schmidt, Event Manager
Los Angeles, CA
Uplift Us Marketplace
Uplift Us Marketplace will create the space that we, along with many others were craving. A place where we could shop all sorts of products that celebrate our cultures creativity, reflect US, and shop knowing that everything is proudly black owned.
Bel Canto Books
Proudly Woman- and BIPOC-owned. A Thriving Filipina-led Indie Bookstore in Long Beach CA!
Regional Retail Favorites
Red Hill
“Red Hill is an AWESOME queer & women owned business based out of NH! I am a big fan of their soaps (both personally and for gifts).” – Julie Katzeff, Associate Producer
Happy Cacti UK
“A South-Asian female small business for very funky and original greeting cards! Based in Birmingham, UK but ships internationally.” – Amandeep Gill, Sr. Account Manager
Services
San Francisco
Shanti Fine Photography
“My approach to photography is simple–keep it natural. I don’t have a studio I shoot in for a reason, I love to watch people in an environment that describes them with the best possible light…whether it be golden sunset rays or soft foggy hues. The best compliment I’ve been given is when my clientèle cries after seeing their images–it’s then I know I captured what was in their heart.”
Chloe Jackman Photography
“Chloe Jackman Photography is an amazing female owned business that supports so many Salesforce shows. Chloe and her team are amazing!” – Zachary Hall, Event Producer
Empowered Fitness, Inc.
“Owned by one of the parents in from my daughter’s volleyball team. Great option for post holidays – options for training and overall well-being.” – Yen Tsutsumi, SVP Business Operations
Austin, TX
Deonette Goodspeed, CPA
GOODSPEED is a GODSEND. Tax preparation and compliance services, IRS audit and notice resolution, small business planning and consulting, payroll services.
Nashville, TN
Hey Hey Creative
Female duo based in Nashville, TN specializing in backdrop fabrication & event installations.
Trove Hospitality
GPJer Stephanie Verheyen’s own company, specializing in vacation planning and concierge services for people traveling to Nashville and Austin.
Hip Hues
“Nashville woman-owned business, they do live screen printing/leather debossing/letter press at events all over the country!” – Stephanie Verheyen, Associate Producer
Twentyth
“I have used Twentyth, a small business out of Franklin TN for our branded promotional items we give out at shows.” – Ashley Lee, Sr. Account Manager
United Kingdom
House of Betty
Minority female owned small business based in London, UK producing bespoke disco balls for any occasion.
Holmflora
Women-owned business based in London, UK specializing in custom floral arrangements.
A special thanks to all our contributors!
- Emily Beckman
- Molly Briggs
- Kim Buckland
- Ryan Burke
- Stacy Burgh
- Alan Day
- Lauren Elam
- Brandon Farmahini
- Sarah Frantz
- Amandeep Gill
- Judith Gordon
- Zachary Hall
- Suzanne Fritz Hanson
- Julie Katzeff
- Ashley Lee
- Marina Royston
- Noelle San Jose
- Emma Schmidt
- Shivangi Srivastava
- John Staniszewski Jr.
- Yen Tsutsumi
- Ruthie Rudnick
- Stephanie Verheyen
- Kristen Waghorne
