Don't get me wrong, I love a good small business pop-up event, but it's always better during the holidays because it's the perfect time to buy gifts for friends and family. So when KD, founder of KD Hall Communications, asked me to host a holiday pop-up that would feature 10+ local businesses from Washington state that have completed the 6-week "Small Business Digital Accelerator Program," offered by Business Impact NW and sponsored by Amazon. There was no way I was going to say no.

Small businesses are the perfect way to create that generational wealth that many families want to pass down to their children because they didn't necessarily grow up with it. There were businesses like Queen Care, OOliva, MVP Hair Care, Seeking Ferments, and more.

It's safe to say I spent a good amount of my hard-working money there before I started hosting the second half of the event. But I think we all can admit it feels a little different when you spend your money on a "small-owned business" rather than, say H&M, or even Target.

The pop-up started with a Q & A with City of Seattle Deputy Mayor Greg Wong, the Office of Economic Development Director Markham McIntyre, SBA Region X Administrator Mike Fong, and Head of Community Affairs Taylor Hoang. Why do I note this? Because this wasn't just any pop-up, this pop-up had significant networking opportunities and even an opportunity to ask questions to people that cut checks a lot of small businesses want. It's important for us to be in these rooms not only to shop but to meet the very people who can help excel your business.

Check out some photos from the pop-up below, and see what I bought during the event.

Things I bought:

6 bottles of Kombucha from Seeking Ferments

Pamper oil, brown sugar scrub, perfume, and a candle from Queen Care

Hair growth oil from MVP Hair Care

Cleopatra bath, and bath melts from OOliva