The world of small business is very big. There are many businesses that you can see on the street, with their lights lit up at night, flipping their open signs in the morning. But there are a lot of business that you can only reach via the Internet. During the month of November, there is an extra focus on shopping from local businesses thanks to Small Business Saturday, or #ShopSmall, that happens during the Black Friday - Cyber Monday weekend. Tin Shingle has launched a new series on our blog that gives online businesses an opportunity to show us their local. We have asked members of Tin Shingle to submit photos of their physical locations and how they work within the community to help you get to know them better.

Kisstletoe In San Diego, CA

Meet Susan Winkie, the founder of Kisstletoe, a handmade, one-of-a-kind necklace that contains real mistletoe - preserved for kisses all season long! You could wait to be at a party under a door with just the right person, and you could carry a pendant around your neck to take out the magic of mistletoe whenever you needed it.

Susan lives near the ocean in San Diego, and harvests the mistletoe in the Cuyamaca and Laguna mountains in San Diego County while wild turkey and deer mill around.  The mountain community is quaint and services the populous of San Diego and Los Angeles. Susan says about their seasonal local economy:  "People flock there in the Fall to 'get their apple on' – and just because fall is such a lovely time of year out there." City-folk often venture into the mountains to take a break from the crowds.

Where Is Your Local?

"My local is in the mountains, in my garage, outside on the patio furniture and in front of a desk." Susan and her family harvest the mistletoe, and then bring it back to her backyard patio to trim the mistletoe. Once that is complete, the "cap and pour" stage takes place in Susan's garage. Once the product is finished, Susan spends her time at her desk adding inventory to her online shops on Etsy and Amazon (she is awaiting approval at Amazon Handmade), and promotes Kisstletoe to reach new customers using tools and training at Tin Shingle.

Community Involvement

Being somewhat remote, Susan does not mingle with other businesses often, but is involved in her community by way of donating Kisstletoe pendants for silent auctions, pancake breakfasts, raffle giveaways and the like – especially now that the Holidays are near.  Kistletoe is also proud to give back to The Malala Fund.

Members of Tin Shingle can submit their businesses to be featured in this series.
Please see your Buzz Building Opportunities in your PR Center for details.