2020 will go down in history as the year the world stopped being what we were used to living in daily.  We stopped basically everything we loved, and unfortunately, many people lost people who they loved.

 

In 2020, we are more attached to the internet than in any year prior. Travel stopped. Eating in restaurants stopped. Shopping in person stopped. Retail stores closed down for months, and to survive, many retail stores had to turn to online sales to survive the economy. 



Callahan's of Calabash Opened an Online Store During COVID in NC


For my OutaboutNC community on Instagram, my focus is 100 percent on North Carolina, the same place where I have called home for a lifetime. When I started my #OutaboutNC chats on IGTV in late March, getting to know the individuals behind North Carolina's businesses put a little spark in my step in 2020.  


These local businesses have had to pivot with some developing an online store for the first time ever. Even I have somewhat pivoted in a new direction during COVID as my HouseStalker YouTube Show shoots halted, and travel and leisure content became limited. 


I've put more emphasis on working with brand affiliates, which align with my lifestyle such as my passion for clean beauty education/advocacy with Beautycounter. This beauty and skincare brand is a leader in the Clean Beauty industry with a Never-List of about 1800 questionable or harmful ingredients not allowed in its products.  My Beautycounter affiliate is now a primary source of revenue to support this blog over sponsorships, enabling me to keep the majority of my OutaboutNC and blog content editorial. 




Beautycounter wrapped up a three-month partnership with Sephora, and awareness about health over beauty is now greater than ever. More and more companies are cleaning up their act and making more products safer for consumers. My #BetterBeauty VIP group on Facebook shares all brands of Clean Beauty and helps educate consumers to make better choices at all price points. I also offer flash sales and discounts. 


For my latest #OutaboutNC project, I hand-picked vendors throughout North Carolina to work with me on a virtual holiday pop-up market for three weekends in October, November, and December. My longtime friend, Kim Prejs, of Teach Learn Style.com, is also sponsoring the event with her main affiliate, Zyia Active, a new favorite brand. 



The NC Small Biz Holiday Pop-Up


NC Small Business Pop-Up Participants

Wellness by Ari, located in Matthews, NC. Ari candles are made using 100% natural ingredients, starting with organic hemp wick and beeswax. 

Curry Wilkinson Pottery, located in Burlington, NC. This NC artisan specializes in jewelry, gifts, and pottery decor made on-site in its pottery studio. 


Hometown Goodie Boxes, based in La Grange, NC, This online shop specializes in gift boxes filled with NC made food/products. 


Callahan's Of Calabash,  located in Calabash, NC. This popular gift store has 35,000 retail space and has been a staple on the North/South Carolina border for forty years. Callahan's debuted its new online shop in 2020.  


Our October pop-up shop will be hosted in a special online Facebook group, and we will also share some items on Instagram. Join the pop-up shop on Facebook. Also, respond to our event RSVP as well so more people can learn about it. 


We will be having a few other vendors join us for our November and December pop-ups. 


Each vendor will be hosting a giveaway for one of the events. In October, everyone who joins the October 9-11 pop will be registered to win one of our two October gifts. 


This adorable fall patchwork pumpkin gnome from Callahan's will look great in your home for a festive fall.




Hometown Goodie Boxes has put together an exclusive goodie box for one lucky winner who attends the pop-up. 




The winner will enjoy a hot cup of tea from Asheville Tea Company. Working closely with local growers, Asheville Tea creates unique blends using botanicals, herbs, and other natural ingredients. From the piedmont area of NC, Lindley Mills organic muffin mix is healthy, easy, and delicious! A 10th generation organic specialty flour mill, Lindley Mills'  Muffin Mix is great alone, just add water, or toss in your favorite fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips. Top off your hot muffin with delicious peach preserves from Deans Farm Market in Wilson, NC. A local working farm, Deans Farm, gathers local produce at its peak, capturing the essence of that peach taste. 


We look forward to you attending the October 9-11 OutaboutNC Small Biz Holiday Pop-Up.

Sponsored by Beautycounter with Leigh Powell Hines and Zyia Active with Kim Prejs

Beautycounter and Zyia Active: Two Great Brands










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