Houston Strong: Ways to Shop Small and Give Back

Houston Strong: Ways to Shop Small and Give Back

AFTER AN ALREADY tough year, small businesses in Texas are banding together to give back to the community following last week's disastrous winter storm. Here's a rundown of some of the feel-good gear and great goods you can score, all while benefiting recovery efforts!


Fifty percent of proceeds from the sales of Em Gems Creations' Texas Strong bracelets will go to Kids Meals Houston. Each bracelet is $20, which means every sale funds five meals.

Now through Feb. 28, 100 percent of proceeds from limited-edition pressed-flower prints from Designs by Andrea will go to winter-storm recovery efforts.

Texas-based illustrator Emily Griffin designed a t-shirt — size-inclusive, and in five colors! — with all proceeds going straight to the Houston Food Bank.

While not a Texas-based biz, Alabama's Lolly Crayons has created red, white and blue Texas-shaped crayons for $3 each, with all proceeds benefiting Kids Meals.

Here's another tee, designed by Yami Mufdi and released via her Levavi athleisure brand. Sales benefit four organizations across the state: Feed the People, Para Mi Gente, Austin Mutual Aid and Mutual Aid Houston.

Dallas-based gift shop Sprinkled with Pink launched a new Texas-themed collection, and all proceeds go to Genesis Women's Shelter, providing shelter and resources for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Genesis was forced to close its doors last week for the first time in its 35-year history.

La Vie en Rose floral boutique will be donating 10 percent of all proceeds to Kids Meals through March 5.

People + Places
Exclusive Furniture’s Sam Zavary Credits Luck, Hard Work and ‘Mom’s Prayers’ for His Success

How did you get to where you are today? I am a firm believer that hard work and having dreams that you strive to achieve will motivate and inspire people to achieve their potential. Working hard, dreaming, and making sure to take advantage of every opportunity is something I learned at a young age. I credit God and God’s grace firstly, but I know that success is a direct result of hard work. I tell my podcast subscribers and followers to continue setting goals, evolving, improving, and planning, and I practice what I preach. I am proud to have started my business in the fastest growing major city in the United States, and I attribute a lot of the success of Exclusive Furniture to the family culture we create in the best city — Houston’s diversity, philanthropy, and innovation have helped me achieve a lot of the milestones in the furniture business (and the “low prices”) you see today!

Keep Reading Show less

HOLIDAY CHEER IS coming to Bandista, the Four Seasons hotel’s swanky speakeasy, in the form of a fun collab with Nashville bar Four Walls.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

You’ve eaten at Nancy’s Hustle, Tiny Champions, Better Luck Tomorrow, Milton’s and Lee’s Den. Now, you can explore the private warehouse of the design firm that created those spaces!

Keep Reading Show less