Who's Driving- We're eternally grateful for our listeners and supporters, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we devote a part of our chat to emphasize the significance of supporting small businesses during the holiday season. We, small business owners ourselves, feel a unique connection each time we make a sale. Even a small budget can make a big impact on a small business. And, guess what? We have a bunch of exciting holiday shopping deals up our sleeves. So, buckle up, grab your favorite 'girly' drink, and let's set off on this enlightening, entertaining journey!
Hit us up on Instagram and give our hotline a call at 864-982-5029. Happy listening! And remember to leave us a rating and review.
We mentioned The Nested Fig App in this episode. You can Tap Here to get our app and join our live sales on Sundays and Thursdays at 8pm est. Use Code Fig10 for 10% Off.
Follow Steven on Instagram at @Keepinupwithsteven and follow Wesley on Instagram at @Farmshenanigans. Shop our online store at TheNestedFig.Com Use Coupon Code Fig10 for 10% Off Your Purchase. Find The Nested Fig on Instagram at @TheNestedFig
Who's Driving- We're eternally grateful for our listeners and supporters, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we devote a part of our chat to emphasize the significance of supporting small businesses during the holiday season. We, small business owners ourselves, feel a unique connection each time we make a sale. Even a small budget can make a big impact on a small business. And, guess what? We have a bunch of exciting holiday shopping deals up our sleeves. So, buckle up, grab your favorite 'girly' drink, and let's set off on this enlightening, entertaining journey!
Hit us up on Instagram and give our hotline a call at 864-982-5029. Happy listening! And remember to leave us a rating and review.
We mentioned The Nested Fig App in this episode. You can Tap Here to get our app and join our live sales on Sundays and Thursdays at 8pm est. Use Code Fig10 for 10% Off.
Follow Steven on Instagram at @Keepinupwithsteven and follow Wesley on Instagram at @Farmshenanigans. Shop our online store at TheNestedFig.Com Use Coupon Code Fig10 for 10% Off Your Purchase. Find The Nested Fig on Instagram at @TheNestedFig
I'm here and I'm on time. Let's go. Well, I guess you can hear us. Do have a big round. Exactly, it's time for another episode of who's Driving. Welcome to who's Driving. I'm Wesley Turner.
Speaker 2:And I'm Stephen Merck. We're two best friends and entrepreneurs.
Speaker 1:Who's Driving is an entertaining look into the behind the scenes of our lives, friendship and businesses.
Speaker 2:These are the stories we share and topics we discuss, as two best friends would on a long road trip.
Speaker 1:Along the way, we'll check in with friends and offer a wide range of informative topics centered around running small businesses, social media and all things home and garden.
Speaker 2:Buckle up and enjoy the ride. You never know who's driving or where we're headed.
Speaker 1:All we know is it's always a fun ride and this week it is Thanksgiving week. Can you believe it's Thanksgiving week? No, already.
Speaker 2:This year, I blink and the year just went whoosh.
Speaker 1:So we're going to talk about being thankful, shopping small and all those type things, Because this kicks off the holiday official shopping season.
Speaker 2:Yeah, evidently.
Speaker 1:Evidently, Although I feel like it gets earlier and earlier every year.
Speaker 2:Yeah it does, but with our schedule and businesses it's very difficult for us to do anything. I feel like I can't do any shopping until after Thanksgiving because we're so busy.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, but I mean, I'm a last minute shopper. Well, you're last minute, everything.
Speaker 2:Let's go ahead and put that out there. You're last minute everything. I'm not, but with our business it's just. I mean you can't even think, right.
Speaker 1:I got ordered a few things. We have a couple of more weeks before we can think.
Speaker 2:And I literally have ordered some things just from our friends across the country, you know, like handmade things for gifts, just because I knew they needed to get the orders to get them here. But like shopping, hell, no, I don't have time. I know it's crazy.
Speaker 1:I mean, I barely can shower.
Speaker 2:But you know, after December 15th I feel like we can.
Speaker 1:Well, that's last minute.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it is last minute, but that's the minute we have.
Speaker 1:It's true. It's true. It's one of those things you know, and we can get into more gift buying or whatever, and we have such great gifts at the Nesta figure online store, but then I always feel weird like giving people gifts from us, from like our store, because I feel like they perceive it like I didn't go shopping for them. But we really have great things and sometimes it's appropriate.
Speaker 2:So what and what? And the other thing that I have gone through with giving our gifts to people is like, do they think I'm being cheap?
Speaker 1:That's what I'm saying. Did they think, oh well, you got this from. But sometimes the shoe when it's not free. But you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:Sometimes the shoe fits like.
Speaker 1:I'm like oh, they would really like this Right, and I know our listeners who shop at the Nesta figure would be like I'm happy to get anything that y'all would give me but it. When you're in that predicament of like giving the, it's weird. Do they perceive like, oh, you were cheap and just gave me something from your?
Speaker 2:store we just picked it up, or were you lazy and didn't go shopping. And that isn't the case, because I do shop, because we have great gifts, yeah, we have good stuff, and I usually well, you and I usually but go, like I say we'll say, okay, we're Christmas shopping and we Christmas shop, but I don't give people stuff Like I'm not going to just go. Oh yeah, I'll pick this up for Sally, she'll this will be fine.
Speaker 1:Well, yeah, well, you know, I'm not like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I am not.
Speaker 1:I am not a gift giving satisfier, Like I don't give gifts just to satisfy that I should have given a gift. If I don't genuinely find a gift for you that I think and this is for everyone that I think fits you or you need, then I just don't get you anything. I even do that to my parents Some years. I will get them a really nice gift.
Speaker 2:Like an iPad or something. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Because I know that their iPad broke and they need one or an Apple watch because my mom loves hers and when you're broke. But if it's a year where you don't, then I'm probably I may not get you anything.
Speaker 2:That's the way you are to me, and I'm closer to you than your family.
Speaker 1:Truly but that's. I do not buy gifts just to buy gifts.
Speaker 2:I get something from you, I would say on average every three years.
Speaker 1:Two to three years, yeah, seven years Three to four. Yeah, this year is not looking good. You're not really in the need for anything. I've gotten that feeling. Oh, my gosh Hit me.
Speaker 2:That's the good thing is is it doesn't offend me because I I'm a gift giver, right? I don't really care if.
Speaker 1:But here's the thing. Okay, we all receive gifts and you receive gifts and we all have gotten those things that the gesture is nice, but we take them home and we donate them or we re-gift them or throw them in the trash.
Speaker 2:Well, I tried it, because it just doesn't fit.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like you specifically, you are a very OCD in about your home. I'm very, I'm very picky. You don't like clink, clutter or anything like that. So if it doesn't, I know if it doesn't fit you. In a spot it's not, or if it's not super useful and something that you want, you are going to get rid of it and I'm not offended by that. But I'm just like I'm not going to put in the effort to just buy a random gift to satisfy that I should have bought a gift.
Speaker 2:Okay, and you are right.
Speaker 1:If you get a gift from me anyone across the board, and it's not just you then I genuinely thought of you when I saw this item and, oh my gosh, this is perfect for this. Well, you've given me.
Speaker 2:I have to say in all fairness, as much as I would love to rag on you on here, you've given me some very thoughtful, special things over the years. One sits in my office that I see every day and you've probably even forgotten it.
Speaker 1:I don't even know.
Speaker 2:But um, and the listeners would know, but my, my ex-way extended family are famous potters. Oh yeah, I can just miss Zondland, really cool and you bought me a face jug yeah, face jug, and he sits in my office and I love him. But he was. That was so thoughtful, because you knew that I love face jugs, right, and that was really nice. And I try and first of all, let me say, because it makes it sound like I'm an unappreciative ass, I'm a very appreciative person.
Speaker 1:I know Very, but I feel like everyone is like that on some level. I'm a very appreciative person. I'm not even OCD, but some you, after the holidays, you have all this clutter of gift items. I will say and if they're not the most practical? You're not going to use it.
Speaker 2:What I try to give what I try to give people, especially people that have a lot, of, a lot of stuff and buy what they want are consumables with you. I give you gift cards, a lot for a trip or a dishwasher or whatever, but a consumable or bath stuff or anything that I know you will use. It's true Because there's. And the other thing is is no one in my life at all gives me home decor because they know Right?
Speaker 1:We own home decor stores, whatever yeah.
Speaker 2:And people tend to not buy me flowers because we have a garden.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean we got a lot of categories covered, so it is kind of hard to buy for us.
Speaker 2:It really is in that regard. But the thing is is you know, there's never. You know, I love candles and honestly I love it when people give me candles, especially higher-end candles you can buy different kinds and I'm like should we carry this Right? Yeah, Do we like this? Should we you know?
Speaker 1:I'm open to any kind of pet If anyone wants any.
Speaker 2:I said yeah, I gave you your birthday a year ago.
Speaker 1:Almost two years, almost two years, two emus I know.
Speaker 2:And I told you the other day I was like you're the only person I know that I could buy and just a random animal for, and you know you'd be like oh great.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's awesome. I used to love to go to the mall. This brought up a core memory talking about that because I felt like we didn't get. We lived an hour from the mall growing up. There wasn't one, maybe a little over an hour. So like going to the mall growing up was special and like we, probably as a kid, only really went there like during the holiday season like. Christmas shopping or something like that. It was looking for us.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly. But going into our mall had a pet store and oh, I would want a burr, a parakeet or a handster.
Speaker 2:I miss the malls of the 80s. Remember how hustle and bustle the record stores.
Speaker 1:Everything. It was happening.
Speaker 2:The record stores, the pet store, everything.
Speaker 1:Yeah, even if you go to the mall now, it's not the same vibe.
Speaker 2:No, it's depressing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's not the cheerful like give you that holiday rush. It's the holiday season and the decor was so much more it was yeah, it was well.
Speaker 2:Not only that, well, now you get shot.
Speaker 1:Depending on the mall you go to.
Speaker 2:Yeah, now you get shot and yeah, that was. I can remember going and it just being so wow, right, and remember, at the mall they always had like the latest cars sitting in the mall.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I mean, it was just exciting and the pet store is back then, which I'm not saying was right or not, or whatever. They had everything Dogs, cats, birds, I mean, it had everything. I love it. We got to go to the pet store and then you know if. I went in the pet store. I was begging for something.
Speaker 2:Did you ever get it?
Speaker 1:I had birds and yeah, random stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I had to get mine from the Jockey Lot.
Speaker 1:But I did the local flea market yeah the flea market.
Speaker 2:but I did, I had um I had.
Speaker 1:Well, you know, growing up I had every kind of pet. I had a cockatiel, mm.
Speaker 2:Hmm, I had. Um, what are those little bitty finches? Finches, those are the messiest damn things. I wouldn't have those in my house now.
Speaker 1:I know right, you paid me. You know we had them at the store for a long time.
Speaker 2:They're so messy? Yeah, they are messy, but yeah, I had everything. I had hamsters, mm, hmm, um, I had rabbits. Oh, yeah, I would like to have a rabbit again, rabbits actually make really good pets and people don't realize even house pets, because you can potty train them.
Speaker 1:And then the other day I was going through, well, people brought it up on Instagram because I had a little box up and brought up Ruby, the pig that I had. So I was looking through photos and I was like oh, I'd like a pig again. She was so cute, but not any time soon. That was a hard one, you know we lost her.
Speaker 2:It was horrible. Um, I mean, it was like literally, we were so attached to her. Yeah, I mean I felt like I lost my niece, right.
Speaker 1:That was crazy. So I've had every kind of animal, but anyway, okay. So, uh, before we get into like our Thanksgiving plans and that sort of thing, I had a kind of funny, because this one kind of like I don't know, well, you'll know when I tell you about it Um, I had a funny article that I came across, um, I don't know, somehow it popped up in my news feed so I saved it and this is from like a Reddit. I don't know, I think it was on um Buzzsprout or somewhere like that, but anyway it was. A Reddit user recently posted that they were recent. A man was recently on vacation with his 14 year old son and they were in a bar watching football one evening and the server came by and asked if he wanted drinks and he asked for a pina colada and the waitress snickered at him, snickered at the order and kind of laughed, okay, like before walking off, because he was a man ordering, uh like a fruity drink which I guess is classified as like a girl drink which is.
Speaker 1:and then there's this whole list of men getting like people chiming in that they've been shamed for getting their drink. Now, this has never happened to me, I guess because I'm gay and they can like it fits, you know, if the shoe fits, wears and wear it, or whatever.
Speaker 2:But but you do say I want your girliest drink. Yeah, like sometimes if I sit down.
Speaker 1:If I sit down at a restaurant like we were at High Point recently and I don't know the bar and like if they seem like they're in a hurry and they're like what do you want to drink and I want to get a drink, I will um sit down and I say what's your like fridious girly drink that you got, that's the best one. I mean I just go ahead and put it out there.
Speaker 2:But you're, you're saying you, you're shocked at that, but yet you order it.
Speaker 1:that way is what I'm saying, but I do it because I want to know like what's your good? Like sweet, fruity drink, not because they're going to make fun of me Like I've never been made.
Speaker 2:Well, I guess some, I mean I guess some straight men don't like a strong alcohol drink. I don't drink bourbon, but what?
Speaker 1:does it matter if it's straight man or gay man or a man in general? Drink what tastes good, but what's the difference in eating?
Speaker 2:short ribs and strawberry shortcake. What do you mean? This I'm saying is eating strawberry shortcake a girly food versus short ribs. Yeah, so I'm, I'm, I'm saying what's the difference?
Speaker 1:Yeah, why are you classifying a drink as a girl drink Like okay. First of all, they all have alcohol and you can get drunk off of them if you want to, but why do you have, if you're a straight man, have to have some what? What's a butch drink like bourbon?
Speaker 2:Mm, hmm, yeah.
Speaker 1:It is beer, but like women can drink bourbon and beer, mm, hmm, and see like why that is just so funny, something that I've never really thought about from that point of it being like I want to take. I want to enjoy the drink that I'm drinking and I have no shame if it's a fruity drink. No, and I have no shame because I don't drink a lot If one of them gets me feeling really good, like what is.
Speaker 2:And I. I used to drink predominantly beer, but I have to say, because you've always drank those drinks- and then I'll taste of one.
Speaker 1:So now I've started it. Yeah, they're good, it's like dessert, it's like a fried dinner dessert.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a lollipop in a drink and I love it, it's good.
Speaker 1:So anyway, then, all of these people were chiming in saying that they had been drink chained for ordering fruity drinks.
Speaker 2:That is funny.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I like at the end of the night if I've been out, and I rarely drink anymore.
Speaker 1:Because you nearly died, but that's the way to tell that story.
Speaker 2:Anyway, I just would like to say I rarely drink anymore. We don't have to elaborate on that, but in a previous episode, when I do say we're in Vegas or something, at the end of the night I like to have just a Bailey's on the rocks, and that's sweet because it's got the cream. It just coats your stomach and I think it's a nice end of the night, yeah it's good.
Speaker 1:But, like this person said, this happens to me too. Once they went out, I guess on a work dinner, in order to Cosmo, which is just cranberry in vodka, I mean vodka alone. Is vodka a man drink by itself?
Speaker 2:I guess it's just the Cosmo. I get a Cosmo with O5.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it has that and some sugar, and then he got shamed by like a co-worker come on, order a real drink, sweetheart.
Speaker 2:And see my response to that guy would have been why are you trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me, right, yeah?
Speaker 1:That's what you would say. It is I just thought that was really funny that we classify drinks as girly drinks or gay drinks. I think is what one of them said in there Gay drink. Yeah, because you're a straight man ordering a fruity drink. It's all silly. They got problem.
Speaker 2:They do.
Speaker 1:That's funny. Sit over there and drink your nasty drink that you don't even really like. Yeah, I'm going to sit over here and enjoy mine.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they probably want that drink in their too insecure order.
Speaker 1:That's right, that's what I'm saying. So sit over there and drink your To tell the truth about the situation.
Speaker 2:It's true.
Speaker 1:So it's Thanksgiving week couple of days away. What's your plans for Thanksgiving? Have you figured out your plans for Thanksgiving?
Speaker 2:No, Mine is simple, actually. I first of all. We've got a busy week, right?
Speaker 1:It's a busy week because retail stores are online.
Speaker 2:It's a very busy month and my energy level is me, so normally I go. Since my mom passed I go to my dad's, sister's house. So I'm very close to that side of the family. They're like 45 minutes away. They're 45 minutes away but in it and I love, I adore them.
Speaker 1:I mean.
Speaker 2:I love them with all my heart and I want to see them, but I'm just too tired, so I think I'll see them at Christmas and Dylan's family a lot of them, aunts and uncles are doing other things, so his mom and grandmother are cooking, so to just be like us.
Speaker 1:So like a quaint family dinner, very small, low key, and I think that would be nice. Yeah, that would be nice, that's what.
Speaker 2:I because that way to just be me and Dylan and his parents and his grandmother.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so for me, Daniel's leaving town. I'm going to be alone on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2:I told you to go with us, and he wanted to feel sorry for me.
Speaker 1:Let's go, let's get that out there. So Daniel's traveling with his family. Normally we go to Daniel's family for Thanksgiving because they're just a couple of hours away. So we go there and then we're back home because we are so busy like Black Friday.
Speaker 2:We got a lot going on, it's just a busy time.
Speaker 1:Live sales and stuff. You know this is our season to shine. We got some vacations planned in January, february.
Speaker 2:So if any listeners are in the area, can Wesley come to your house?
Speaker 1:So anyway, but this year Daniel is going with his family. They're going up to one of his aunt's house, house's homes there. So, and I couldn't make that trip, so I'm staying at home, it will be fine. The other day, daniel was like, are you going to be lonely? Like is it going to? And I'm like no, I mean because to me it's just. I mean it's a Thursday and it's another. I mean it's all about what you do Do you want me to bring you a plate.
Speaker 1:I do want some Thanksgiving-ish food, but I may just order some from Cracker Barrel.
Speaker 2:Or do you want me to bring you a plate? Well, you can bring me a plate if you want. We can do that.
Speaker 1:But I mean, but you know, I'm vegetarian so I don't need the turkey or the ham. I don't eat turkey anymore. I just need some dressing, I want dressing, I want macaroni and cheese. That'll do. Maybe some green beans, I don't know.
Speaker 2:I think I'm going to go to Listen I will tell you something there ain't nothing better than a bunch of food that a bunch of old Christian women made. I know it ain't nothing better In the South.
Speaker 1:Oh, I mean I mean, the butter oozes out of your pores for the next week.
Speaker 2:But you know, it is not what it used to be. It is not what it when my, when my mother and grandmother passed and hopefully there's nobody from our church listening to this, but they may be but the food ain't what it used to be.
Speaker 1:They just can't do it the same. No, like my family-, but I think that's everybody's family, because it's what you grow up with, so it becomes your comfort thing, and so you have a taste for your family's style.
Speaker 2:But see, we got a bunch of people from other parts of the country in our church house. Now they don't. It's just not the same. Yeah, like in its sound listen. It was very sweet to bring food. It was. Some of it was very good, but some of it I was like A little bland or a little different. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I was like are you sure these are?
Speaker 2:Methodists, you know. I mean it's funny how things change, you know, because used to when I was growing up I mean, I hate to say it it sounds horrible. When somebody passed away, you knew you were going to eat good for about a week. Right, it's true, but not now. That's unfortunate. Yeah, I mean they might even drop off some Kentucky Fried Chicken, and that's it Right. So I think that it's.
Speaker 1:Thanksgiving week. We should be thankful for all that we have.
Speaker 1:So I am so thankful to our listeners. I just want to put this out there. I'm thankful for our listeners and everyone who has supported us throughout the year and every day, and it's not about if you've bought from us. There's so many ways I've talked about this on Instagram before there's so many ways that you support us, even just being on Instagram and liking a photo. That is support. Being on Instagram and leaving a comment, that's engagement, that is support, whether you can shop with us or not. So I just want to know that we are so thankful for you and those who listen to our podcast and that sort of thing and our employees, I mean, and it isn't just about making the sale Right, it's the interaction and it's just overall support.
Speaker 2:Even when people come to our events, they may not buy anything, but they showed up Right and that is support.
Speaker 1:So every type of support is much appreciated.
Speaker 1:And another thing I like to touch on I usually touch on this on Instagram, like stories or whatever is speaking of being alone on Thanksgiving. I know holidays can be really hard for some people and they do feel like they're not alone. They do feel alone and you just have to remember that it's. You know it is. You can treat it as another Thursday. Don't get down when you're on Instagram. I think it's really hard for some, especially if they are feeling lonely, and maybe it's just this season that they're feeling lonely and they see all the family photos and the photos look so perfect. Always like to remind everyone behind all of those perfect photos, there was a shit show. There was probably a fight that morning. They burned something, there was a breakdown, there was an argument. There was probably a fight just trying to get the photos together.
Speaker 2:You're right. But here's what I'll say yeah, but they were still there because, like, holidays are really hard for me. Since my mom passed Right and you know, for the first two years I really didn't partake Right In holidays. I tried, but the last minute I would bail out. I mean, I have anxiety with Thanksgiving coming up. I have holidays are really really hard for me, but I'm doing it, um, mainly because I know that's what she would want, right, like she wouldn't want me to sit around and cry and be Lovely.
Speaker 1:Yeah, right, she wouldn't want that Right.
Speaker 2:So I do partake, but it is hard, Like I didn't realize. Until you lose someone that is that important in your life, you don't realize how empty it is Right, Um, you know. So I get it, I get it. And what made it really hard for me, you know, the first year, the first Christmas, I just I bailed out and went to Vegas.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you went to Las Vegas. I was like I've got to go.
Speaker 2:I had and I was doing seemingly well, if you recall. I bought Christmas presents.
Speaker 1:Right, it was working, but it was the dread of the day itself.
Speaker 2:And I said I've got to go. Yeah, I have to go.
Speaker 1:Just so you could be doing something else and like mm-hmm, and it was.
Speaker 2:that's just what I had to do at that moment. Um, and it's better now. Yeah, but I think you just have to do what you have to do.
Speaker 1:Right, um, but hang in, there is what you have to do you have to, you have to do it.
Speaker 2:And the other thing is is I still have, you know, my, my dad and my dad's family, mm-hmm, they all that that love me and I love them. So it's not fair to the rest of my family you know to show up and be present for them. Yeah, I need to show up because, guess what, when something happens to them I don't want to, or me I don't want to say, well, look what I missed out on, right, yeah, so I think it's even though the point is hanging there and it does get better.
Speaker 1:Everything gets better and do what you need to do, yeah, and hang in there. And the point is also that, back to your saying, those people are together in those photos, which is helpful if you're feeling lonely, but it's also if you are the one feeling lonely and you're seeing those and you think, oh, they have everything, they have it together. And my point is they probably didn't have it together, it was probably.
Speaker 2:Oh hell, no, no one has it together. Everybody's having a knockdown. Drag out ass whip and fight Right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's just. You know, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. And just hanging there through the holidays and you know, try to do things that make yourself feel good through the holidays as well. If you're having a hard time, uh, okay, let's talk about holiday season. We kind of touched on this at the beginning and it is Black Friday is coming up at right after Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1:So it is the season of gift buying and that sort of thing. And I just would like to touch and I've seen a couple of people on Instagram touch on this or whatever, um, and just give some insight into the importance of shopping small for the holiday season. And I know we've seen, everyone has seen the campaigns, you know, shop small and that sort of thing, but it really. I am here to tell you it really does make a difference. Now, logically, can you buy everything you need from a small business? Probably not. Probably. You might be in a rural area where you can't. Just the convenience of not being able to.
Speaker 1:But if you just take any small percentage of your holiday budget and put it towards a small business and this doesn't have to be towards us we would love for you to shop at the nested pig or online store, the nested figcom. Um, we would absolutely love your business and do appreciate your business. But if it's not from us, try to shop small. And I know one thing you know people don't realize our side of the business and you can shop small. The cool thing is you can shop small nowadays all across the country, like when you shop with us, you are shopping small, like we're a small business, um, and you can shop from other small businesses Like we love. Uh, ashley over at the Sassy bar and she hand makes and hand stamps hand stamp spoons and that sort of ordered a lot of gifts from her.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm waiting on those. By the way, ashley, do you know when those will be shooting? I'm just kidding.
Speaker 1:Um or Carla over at Oak Hill Farms is we have a lot of small business friends that you, um, you know you can check out, but you don't realize. I think a lot of people don't realize like our small business and we'll, you know, we have our retail stores that are small businesses and online we can talk about online for a second. Do you know, every time you make a sale or a purchase, that Steven and I both get a little ding on our phone or a little? We keep our phones on vibrate because you know sales are coming in. Um, so a little notification.
Speaker 2:Yep, we love when it's really quick. And we don't just it's not just the noise like today, at three different times today, uh, a sale came through and I actually stopped what I was doing, looked at it, looked at what they were ordering and was like oh, I looked at the mix, yeah.
Speaker 1:So there are days I do that a lot. Yeah, Probably because I'm well, I'm on my phone, like with Instagram. I'm on my phone probably more than you are like actively on my phone so I get a notification every time.
Speaker 1:I'll tap on it see what they ordered, who was it? Who was it? And it's funny because I do recognize oh, she ordered again, or you know that sort of thing. Um, and the appreciation and the excitement. I mean we've been doing online for three years now, over three years, that I still get from that little from a sale, you know, because that's what it takes for our small business to keep going and it is just very important that you are shopping small A lot. If you don't know the industry economy, however, you want to say it has changed this year, definitely, and a lot of small businesses are starting to feel that and struggle. And there's a lot of small businesses that are going to struggle because they started in like 2020 or 2021. If you started a business during that time, you were golden. You haven't gone through like the ups and downs.
Speaker 2:It was a very abnormal time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so from like halfway through 2020 through um middle of 2022, I would say was basically like one big holiday season for retailers.
Speaker 2:I mean, the money was just pouring the money was pouring in and seemed easy, very easy to get sales.
Speaker 1:And now things? You know people are a little more concerned or they're tightening up or they're starting to budget again, which is understandable. But as a small business, you know if you planned off of last year's sales and this year's sales, you know a few thousand dollars can make a big difference. And you know if you are shopping consciously with small businesses and even if it's a $25 sale, you know if a lot of people do that, that makes a really big difference.
Speaker 2:I haven't told you the difference, but I have personally challenged myself this year to only buy from small business.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's good.
Speaker 2:For all my Christmas and so far, um, you know, I have been able to do that and I've been thinking outside the box, like you know, different friends we have and what they sell, and I'm looking, you know, because they have a lot of nice gifts and it's very unique Right, and last year I did that some. I bought a lot of stuff from Carla.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And Everybody loved it right because it was so different and it's things they haven't necessarily seen, or that sort of thing, so you can give it its own feel so it does make it a little more like selected, I guess, are curated and the other thing I want to point out because I recently got a message From a customer and I did appreciate them reaching out to me because it gave me the opportunity to to opportunity to explain. But it was a an article about McDonald's corporation and their reported earnings. And then the question was to me with McDonald's menu prices right, and you know I can't believe McDonald's prices are going up like this then look at how much money they're making, right, they're not like McDonald's corporation is making that money but not the individual McDonald's.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that's one thing we really haven't. We've kind of touched on it, but not from the direct standpoint. An individual McDonald's is owned by an individual local person somebody like me right and that that is disconnected from McDonald's corporation.
Speaker 1:So that's two different things. And speaking of that from kind of a corporate standpoint, if you can't shop small, like if you are gonna buy something from Amazon, it is convenient for sure, and we all shop on Amazon and I'm not. I'm not shaming or dissing anyone for not shopping small. I'm just trying to say just take a little bit of your budget and shop small. But if you are shopping safe from Amazon, then go on Instagram to any influencer who you like and go to their length. Everyone will have you know. If you go to their Instagram page and you tap on their profile, there'll be a website link and anyone who's connected with Amazon will have that in their little profile. If you tap and shop through that link, then they are at least getting some money because they're making a commission off that We've talked about, you know very little, yeah, but they're making.
Speaker 1:But but at least someone local is getting a piece of the pie, mm-hmm, and it's not just going and you don't even have to buy. I don't know if a lot of people understand this or not. You do not even have to buy the items they are promoting. Like you can go to someone's you know Amazon store. If you click through their link and then you buy anything, they will get a commission off it. You can click on their link and then go buy trash bags or paper towels and they will get a small commission.
Speaker 1:So that's a way to support you know people as well. I mean, that's a way to support influencers who are kind of like a new age small business because they're self-employed, mm-hmm, and they're earning the commission you know through there. But at least, like I said, instead of Amazon getting all the money, at least Somebody personally that you want to support is getting very small. But it beats nothing piece of the pie. And I just don't think a lot of people realize when you click through their link, it doesn't matter, you do not have to buy the item they are showing you or that they have shown you. Click through their link, you can buy anything on Amazon at all and that person will get some type of you know commission from it.
Speaker 2:And and there's other you know, even like McDonald's, burger King, chick-fil-a's, I would say McDonald's are generally a there's a local owner in your community or if it's not in your direct community, it's the one next, the next city, over right. Mcdonald's usually likes the owner in the community or as close as possible. I know some owners have 60 plus McDonald's so they're in two states, but that's a little different. Most of them have a local owner operator. Same with Chick-fil-A Burger Kings. Not so much. I'm not listen, I like Burger King too, but Burger Kings are just much, much larger. They're usually, you know most of the Burger Kings here in South Carolina are owned by a group in New York. But find out who who supports your community right and patronize them. Whatever it is right, whether you know, don't always assume with a McDonald's as a corporate on McDonald's for it, south Carolina, we have zero Corporate on corporate on, so they're all locally all locally owned.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it may. You're making a difference and hopefully those, those owners, are contributing to you, the schools, and donating and contributing in the community. So you know, it's just, it all trickles down, right. So? I always like to know where I'm spending my money.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and when you're shopping small, like with us, I mean you are directly supporting us and you're supporting all of our employees. You know that we have and those are real people. Those are real people that you're affecting. And I think it's so funny because so many people you know when we're out and about at markets or we get messages and we run into other business owners and they perceive us because you and I are all over the damn place. We might be a little crazy, but we have big ideas and we like to do things in a big way and we present ourselves in a big way. But we're a small business, like at the warehouse, it is one office person that does everything.
Speaker 1:We have five packers. Do we have five right now?
Speaker 2:We have five packers Right, we have two warehouse employees and we have two warehouse employees and then we have one employee.
Speaker 1:that kind of works between all the stores. That's all there is at the warehouse.
Speaker 2:And we're getting in and like six people per retail store.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's it. And we're getting in. You know, at the warehouse we're getting in thousands of orders. We're getting them out as fast as we can. But I don't think a lot of people understand like it is me and you Like, if you get an email marketing thing, it is for me. We don't have a marketing team, we don't have all of these teams, like people thinks. Like we do the bookkeeping, we do the marketing, we do the buying which we take everyone you know, when we're at markets the accounting, the pay and the bills.
Speaker 1:It's all on us and so we, you know, appreciate your support, and I think that's the disconnect that people don't see with small businesses is how hard those small businesses owners have to work to make it happen and get it done.
Speaker 2:And when I owned McDonald's, I did all of my own accounting and my own payroll, on top of the operations. So, you wear many hats, right, and it is. You know, we, like I said, we appreciate everyone just for showing up. Like, I'm happy if you just show up to an event, right, I don't care if you buy anything or not, you're you know, you cared enough to come out.
Speaker 1:Right, and that's support. That is the same support telling your friends to come oh, did you hear so and so is having this open house, or having this sale, or if you did buy something oh, I got this from so and so, like spreading the word and like, like I said earlier, it's not just if you're shopping with us. We just want to encourage you to remember this holiday season to shop small as much as possible, because it makes a huge difference and I feel like sometimes the consumer hears, because there's marketing campaigns, that it makes a difference, but they don't really know that it truly makes a difference when you shop.
Speaker 2:Well, and I feel like in the last year, like I went to the mall last Christmas there wasn't anything. Yeah, like I mean yeah, I just didn't. I mean there's nothing that grabs me that says wow anymore. So I mean I feel like I've naturally gravitated to small business.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because they're outsourcing and finding products unique. Yeah, to make that mix. That's all that we have for this week. I think we're pulling up to our destination because I got to go do some shopping at the grocery store. I want to make a really good treat.
Speaker 2:And in a few hours we're going to be live at my loft. Yeah, do an off sale.
Speaker 1:A home tour. So that's it. We're thankful for you this holiday season and every day remember that. Remember to shop small as much as possible. If you do want to shop with us, remember our website is the nestedfigcom. We also have an amazing app. You can search the nestedfig in your app store or tap the show notes below and you can get the direct links there and you can see us live in the nestedfig app where we'll be showing you all types of goodies. This is airing on Tuesday and today is Sunday. So tonight, sunday, what is today, november 19th we are doing a live tour of Stevens loft. So on Tuesday, once you hear this, if you happen to miss it, just download the nestedfig app Again. Go to your app store, search the nestedfig, download our app and you can go back and watch the replay You'll get to see us tour through Stevens loft, how it's decorated for the holiday season and you can still shop and shop the items.
Speaker 1:And remember, coming up this weekend is Black Friday, small Business Saturday, cyber Monday to shop the nestedfigcom, because we're going to have amazing deals for you all weekend long. I'm going to be jumping on and doing some live sales and that sort of thing, so we're going to have you covered so you can shop small with us this holiday season. Thanks and have a great holiday.
Speaker 2:Yes, happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1:We'll be back next week Bye, bye, bye.