Anti-Black Friday – 25 small & sustainable businesses to support instead

Forget our usual sales and productivity hacks – this week we’re doing something different…

You might be wondering why we’ve been highlighting small businesses this week as part of our Anti-Black Friday campaign on LinkedIn. Let me give you some context… Insites is a SaaS tool, but our founder Andrew created Insites with a genuine mission to empower small business owners (and the teams who help them) navigate the complex world of digital marketing.

Behind our tool is a team of humans who are genuinely passionate about supporting and shopping small. And with that in mind, I asked our team to share their favourite small businesses. If you’re looking to discover exciting new brands across fashion, lifestyle, tech, and food – keep scrolling!

You’ve heard of protein power, but have you heard of oat milk power? Recognising that oat milk is 90% water, Overheard has created a powdered version that transforms one pouch into 8 litre of oat milk by just adding water! This innovative product aims to reduce packaging, lower carbon footprints, and minimise food waste.

Chocolate that makes you feel good inside and out! Raw Halo’s chocolate is not only delicious, it’s made from organically sourced and minimal plant-based ingredients. We love Raw Halo so much at Insites, they often come with us to events!

Little Brewing Co was founded in Derby, UK (just like Insites) – cheers to that! The brewery has been crafting beer since 2015 and now produces 4,500 pints a week. You can find their brews in specially selected pubs around the country, or if you’re local to Derby, enjoy them straight from their newly opened taproom!

Next time your visiting your local pub or cafe, look out for The British Crisp Co. They don’t sell in supermarkets and want to exclusively support small businesses instead. The best part? This year they became the first brand to launch biodegradable bags that can be recycled just like a newspaper!

A fashion branding championing sustainable fashion is Rapanui. There products are even loved by Prince William ! Rapanui’s items are made to last, but here’s the best part: when you fancy a change, customers are encouraged to return them for store credit. The brand operates on a fully circular model, ensuring old garments are repurposed into something new!

I first heard about The Little Loop on The Dragon Dens (huge fan, by the way!). The concept is for parents who want to get the most out of children’s clothing because kids grow quick! How it works: parents become a member, rent clothes, and swap them anytime – whether it’s for the next growth spurt, a seasonal change, or just for something new. It’s a sustainable way to keep your little ones stylish without the hassle or waste.

There’s no better feeling than finding a good t-shirt. Brothers We Stand bring together designers and Fairtrade factories from across the world and have created a menswear hub for ethically made wardrobe staples. Every item meets their high ethical standards, so you can look good and feel even better about your choices.

Founder Kelly Seymour launched her unique jewellery brand Cult of Youth in 2011 with a commitment to slow, thoughtful craftsmanship. Each piece is made to order and hand-carved in London, embodying a timeless ethos of quality and meaning. As Kelly beautifully puts it:

“One thing that will never be lost is the desire to make things that encapsulate what it is to live and be loved. Nothing without meaning—it’s just better that way.”

The designs by JAM Industries are inspired by a hybrid lifestyle between the city and the sea. Since starting in 2013 the vision has been to create comfy clothes, design to “move effortlessly from a long day on the beach to a vibrant bar at night… anywhere”. If casual clothing, that’s been made using organic textiles is your jam – check their products out online!

Unfolded do things differently by making clothes to order, perfectly matching supply with demand. This approach means no waste, fairer wages for workers, and a portion of every purchase goes towards supporting children’s education. Not to mention, their designs are gorgeous and reasonably priced – a win for your wardrobe and the planet!

Renewaball are making tennis balls even greener! Their 100% circular tennis ball idea was born out of the fact that 97% of tennis and padel balls end up in landfill or incineration. It’s a no brainer if your a tennis lover, because the balls also cost no more than standard ones from the large manufactures.

BAM are pioneering “purposeful” activewear. At every stage of their product cycle, they focus on nature-based, innovative materials by using modern technology to create workout clothes from bamboo and 100% recycled polyester. From yoga sessions to outdoor adventures, BAM offer a variety of men’s and women’s activewear designed to help you feel great – inside and out.

Thousand is on a mission to save lives and the planet! They create stylish helmets for riders while committing to offsetting 100% of their annual carbon emissions. Plus, Thousand are proud partners of 1% For The Planet, and are dedicated to making a positive impact with every ride. Safety and sustainability have never looked so good!

Le Cord is leading the way in sustainable tech accessories as the world’s first company to produce charger cables from recycled plastic. By repurposing ocean-bound plastic from discarded fishing nets, they’ve removed 2,714 kilos of plastic from the seas so far. A meaningful step toward cleaner oceans and greener tech!

Plea encourages customers choose their biodegrade phone cases and tech accessories over single use “cheap” plastic ones. With so much plastic waste, this small difference could make a real impact!

Suri are the sustainable electric toothbrush brand made form recyclable, plant based heads. But sustainability isn’t the only thing that sets Suri apart. With a sleek, stylish body, a 40+ day battery life, and dentist-approved design, it’s a game-changer for your dental routine.

You don’t even need a balcony to grow fresh produce with Lettuce Grow ! Committed to improving access to fresh, healthy food for all, they make it easy to grow your own produce at home, regardless of income. Their non-GMO seedlings are nurtured in greenhouses and arrive at your door in just four weeks – ready for you to grow, harvest, and enjoy straight from home.

It stinks of sustainability! Fussy is reinventing deodorant for a more sustainable future by encouraging consumers to make a simple swap from disposable deodorants for a lifelong, refillable case. Their plastic-free refills smell gorgeous (tried and tested) and are crafted from natural ingredients that care for your skin.

The female-founded skincare brand Neighbourhood Botanicals is redefining beauty with sustainability at its core. Their formulas are crafted in London using cold-pressed oils and natural ingredients, ensuring quality and care in every product. In 2021, they achieved carbon-negative status, and their biodegradable refills help protect five trees with every order.

Ingrained Oil is an alcohol-free perfume brand designed for sensitive skin, redefining fragrance with care and intention. Their mission is to empower individuals, creating scents that serve as a daily reminder of self-belief and greatness.

Founder Millie launched Human Beauty with a mission to make makeup accessible for everyone, empowering people to use it as a tool to build confidence. Their products are designed to be easy to use without compromising on quality. With innovative, easy-to-grip packaging and video tutorials, Human Beauty ensures that everyone can embrace makeup as a form of therapy and self-expression.

Lomi is transforming the way we deal with waste! Their innovative machine turns daily food scraps into natural, garden-ready fertiliser. Say goodbye to fruit flies, smelly bins, and constant emptying! With Lomi , you get an easy-to-use, odour-free solution to nurture your kitchen and the planet.

Molekule air purifiers are tackling indoor air pollution with their mini air purifiers that not only look sleek – they are helping families create a safer, cleaner home.

Smol is the cleaning brand that delivers big-brand performance without compromise. What sets them apart? Their products are free from harsh chemicals, perfect for sensitive skin, and come in 100% plastic-free packaging. With Smol , you’re cleaning your home and the planet!

Nkuku is dedicated to making a positive impact with their beautifully crafted homeware. They use natural, reclaimed, and recycled materials while preserving traditional crafting methods. A large majority of their items are handmade in India, and they collaborate with Frank Water Charity to improve living standards and provide safe water to communities. Not only does this support local communities in India, but it also means every item tells a story.

Some of the businesses we’ve mentioned are participating in Black Friday, while others are running their own Green Friday initiatives! It’s not to say that small businesses shouldn’t offer discounts to encourage orders, but it’s important to support brands you love all year round.

And that doesn’t always mean buying. Sharing their social media posts and telling your friends why you love them costs nothing to you, but could mean a lot to the people behind these amazing businesses. They’re working hard to make the world a better place, and your support goes a long way.

If you enjoyed this blog, sign up to our Five Insites Newsletter for marketers, where we also shout a small business every week!

The Insites Team