Where would you picture yourself going shopping? Would you be at a busy store full of people and companies mass-producing their products, or are you shopping at your local farmers market? Shopping locally can benefit everyone in your community, especially the businesses.

When you shop at these businesses, you get your products from people who care; these small business owners give you a more personal experience.

Going to a local Farmers Market or Craft Fair can change your perspective on where your products come from or how they are made. The owners of small businesses normally have a reason why they started selling. To show off their skills, give to friends and family, or even something to do for fun.

From skincare to woodworking and Jewelry to Jelly, the array of skills at these Markets and Fairs is prominent. Here’s an inside look at some local businesses around Massachusetts. 

• Logos and Kalos Woodworks 

Mr. Michael Colebrook is a professional woodworker, specializing in high-end Chessboards, Butcher Blocks, Cutting Boards, and charcuterie boards. When asked where Colebrook came up with his company name, he explained, “Logos and Kalos are actually Greek words. Logos means like word or reason and then Kalos means beautiful. So I try to make beautiful products with my woodworking.” Colebrook loves the beauty of his products and owes his staring to the products themself. One of Colebrook’s biggest adversaries is the price of the products. “Tools can be kinda expensive and so the cost of starting up was definitely a bit of an investment.” Each of Colebrook’s boards takes around 20 hours to make, so tons of work is being put into these high-quality boards. One of Colebrook’s biggest mentors and supporters is the owner of Quabbin Woodworks, Mr. Eric Ring. He also thanks his father for originally getting him into woodworking. If you would like to look more into Colebrook’s products his email is [email protected] 

• Blue Darner Granola

Mr. Chris Laursen owns Blue Darner Granola, a clean pancake mix and granola company. When asked where Laursen thought of the name, he said, “Blue Darner is a dragonfly and I like dragonflies so when I came across that I said that’s it, that’s the name.” This is Laursen’s 4th season selling his products. Laursen owes the founding of Blue Darner Granola to his kids, “when my kids were little they loved granola and I would get it from the grocery store, and then one day I read the nutrition label and realized just how sugary and terrible it is so I started making my own and eventually I got to this.” Laursen says one of his biggest struggles in his local business is simply being unknown. One of his highlights is that every bag he sells, 50 cents is donated to his local land trust, East Quabbin Land Trust. “So far, we have given over $2,000 since we started so we just help them out, which is a big highlight.” Buying from local businesses can support the owner and other companies like Laursen donating part of his profits to East Quabbin Land Trust. Laursen would like to thank his fellow vendors for always supporting him. If you would like to contact him, Blue Darner Granola’s email is [email protected]

• Lauren Olivia Jewelry Designs

Ms. Lauren Olivia founded Lauren Olivia Jewelry Designs, a handmade jewelry business. Olivia sells hand-forged, sterling silver jewelry. When asked about what inspired her she explained, “I used to live in Maui. So when I lived in Hawaii I started selling jewelry there and so I kinda took everything from there and brought it back home with me and said ‘I’m gonna start making jewelry’.” One of Olivia’s biggest adversaries is the economics of the world, It’s hard to sell something that isn’t a necessity. A highlight of her company is how she is upcycling things she finds at thrift stores. Some people she’d like to shout out for supporting Olivia are her friend and fellow business owner, Jess, and her mom. If you’d like to reach out to Olivia, her Instagram is @Laurenoliviajewelrydesigns.

• Skip’s Jelly

Mr. Skip Walker has been a proud owner of Skip’s Jelly for 11 years. When explaining why his business is named Skip’s Jelly he stated, “Oh boy, I’m Skip Walker, I was nicknamed Skip very, very young because I’m a junior. I have used it all through life, really,” said Skip. The delicious jelly stand was originally just a Christmas present for his kids, “I needed a Christmas present for my kids, they didn’t have a Christmas present yet, so I said I know how to make pepper jelly.” He put crackers, cheese, summer sausage, chocolate, and of course his famous pepper jelly in a basket for Christmas. “The basket kept getting heavier, and heavier, and heavier.” Skip makes all kinds of pepper jelly: jalapeno which is not hot, a jalapeno that has a slight bite to it, then we have hot habanero jelly,  a red bell pepper one, garlic which is not hot, and a cranberry sauce in the fall. “It’s kinda a niche business you don’t see many people doing pepper jelly,” commented Skip, “But they keep coming back.” Walker would like to give shout-outs to all the people who come to the local markets rain or shine to support their spectacularly delicious business. If you would like to support Skip’s Jelly contact the amazing Skip at [email protected]. 

• Sargent’s Kitchen

Ms. Karen Sargent owns the gluten-free baking company, Sargent’s Kitchen. When asked about where she came up with the name, Sargent explained, “ I can draw dragons pretty well.” She has been actively selling in farmer’s markets for around 12 years now selling gluten-free vegan gingerbread, allspice crackers, chocolate extreme cookies, and salsa kits. Different from some of the other businesses, Sargent’s biggest adversary is simply the weather at outside fairs. When asking the owner about her highlights, she said, “I’m the only Baker up here who does gluten-free so sometimes some of the other Bakers who sell things will refer people to me if they need gluten-free products.” Sargent would like to thank the people who have supported her in town. 

• Circle Life Skin Food

Ms. Cyndi Gauthier is a local business owner from Westminster who makes skincare-type products with her brand Circle Life Skin Food. Her story is truly an inspiration to all. When asked about how she got the name Gauthier said, “It was named because I have a child who is now an adult, she’s 27 and she has severe autism and she’s pretty much non-verbal but she can say some words and when she gets excited she yells “Circle Life” done this since she was very little. It’s like her Battle Cry of Joy that’s why I named it “Circle Life” because it makes me happy when she says it.” Circle Life Skin Food sells soaps, face products, body butter, scrubs, lip balms, body perfumes, and aromatherapy products. When she was asked about what inspired her to start she said, “Not working at the time, I wasn’t able to, I am a nurse that’s what I went to college for, but after being in the car accident I wasn’t able to go back. It took like a year before I was like medically cleared to go back to work and I just couldn’t sit around.” Gauthier says some highlights of her company are meeting other parents in Westminster since she wasn’t able to because her kids didn’t go to Oakmont. The story of Circle Life Skin Food is an amazing and inspiring story to all who hear it. If you would like to contact Gauthier you can see her website at circlelifeskinfood.com

From woodworking and Jewelry to Jelly, Michael Colebrook, Chris Laursen, Lauren Olivia, Skip Walker, Karen Sargent, Cyndi Gauthier, and so many more have done an astounding job creating these products that we all love. There are so many more small businesses out there that are just as amazing as these. Let’s take a step back to appreciate everything these small businesses go through to make unique products for everyone to enjoy.