Well, hello there and welcome back. I am Stephanie Safarian and you are listening to

episode 140 of the Sustainable Minimalist Podcast. If you shop regularly on Amazon or at another gigantic retailer, I am willing to bet you do so for one of two reasons.

The first reason, of course, is price. It is often the case that the big players in the capitalist

game offer the cheapest prices. Why pay more when you could pay less, right?

The second reason is convenience.

The Amazon's and the Walmarts of the world

have the logistics in place, as well as the manpower and in the coming years

perhaps they will also be the first to have the drones to offer extremely speedy shipping and

quick customer service. The little guys? Not so much.

It's crazy but last week I ordered a gift for my cousin's bridal shower and

when I got to check out the shipping time

stated 14 days. That's two weeks. Consumers in 2020 have been primed by Amazon and that pun by the way was intended to

expect two-day shipping. Fourteen days seems extra long to wait in comparison doesn't it? The reality is that

supporting the small and the independent businesses when you can is a sign of

respect for the real people who took real risks to start them.

Comedian Hassan Manage has a quote that I love and it is that quote independent businesses give cities their shape, texture, color and taste, often literally.

Today's show is founded on the premise that small businesses matter and it's on us, it's on you and it's on me, to support them financially and not so financially. Today I am speaking with Chris Joseph.

Chris is a co-founder of Ecotiva.com an online store that sells eco-friendly

products. In our conversation today, Chris and I

discuss the challenges small businesses face as well as how we can help support

them. Enjoy the interview.

Chris, thank you so much for coming on the Sustainable Minimalist

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