How we spend our money determines the future economic landscape. Just think: when we are through the #covid19 pandemic, or if we ever have another crisis, what businesses would you like to see lining the streets of our children's future? What will the cyber-scape look like? What values will you support with YOUR money? It's a very valuable power you have and the key to our future.

1. The F Words

Friends. Family. Female Founded. I am fortunate to have a lot of #bossbabe women in my life who I look to for support but also always try to give them support in whatever way I can. If you have a friend or family member selling products or service as their livelihood, and either you could use/need it or could give as a gift, show your support by making a purchase with them at full price. Share their Instagram / social media accounts and news and help spread their love.

2. Local

In my neighbourhood, there are some truly fabulous specialty shops that I would never want to see close up. From my favourite cheese store, go-to gift shop, to our most-frequented restaurant and our favourite date night restaurant (links for those of you in Vancouver, BC!). With whatever spare money I have these days, I try to direct it to one of my favourite local options first.

3. BCorp

A B Corp certified company stands out to me as a company brave enough to be looked at with a microscope. It means they value transparency. It means they value ethics and diversity. It means they want positive change. If you're not sure what a B Corp is, I've pulled their brief explanation straight from the B Corp website:

Keep an eye out for this logo in your day-to-day and make a mental note. In my neighbourhood, I have 2 banks to choose from that are B Corp certified - perhaps you could consider moving your financial institution to one that upholds B Corp standards, perhaps there is a local grocery store you could shop at, or a clothing company. Have a look at their directory and you will be surprised by the number of fantastic brands that are a part of this movement (um, hello, I will happily support Ben & Jerry's!)

I highly encourage you to check out the list of businesses who are B Corp certified and if you can make a change to support them, please do!

4. Environmental Footprint

If reducing your environmental footprint is important to you, you will want to show support for businesses who purposefully create less waste in plastics and emissions. If there are businesses you frequent now but they do not add value to the climate, consider researching for an alternative service or product.

For example, when working full time, I appreciate a meal delivery service to cover me a few days of the week if I'm in a pinch. The requisites however, were that it needed to provide healthy, nutritious options with transparency on nutritional information as well as have a low environmental impact with the bags or packaging it was delivered in. I found a great one in Vancouver called Fed. Their intention to reduce the amount of waste or essentially eliminate waste from their business model, is what has me hooked.

Leave a comment below with the ways you vote for change with your wallet. What business have you found making change that you would like to shout out?