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I am a fairly new business owner, so that basically means I have no idea what I am doing. Yup, I will be the first to admit I have no idea how to run a business. What I do know is traveling and hunting for treasures. Those are my two most favorite hobbies on the planet. Just so happens that Petra de Luna Shop mixes my favorite things! What I didn't realize or even set out to do was to build up other businesses and communities while I was at it. Not that I was against it; it just wasn't on the forefront of my mind when I started this. However, now more than ever, I have a deep desire to help build up businesses and communities. 
You see, one of my major goals for Petra de Luna is to open a brick and mortar here in San Diego. I can't do that yet because rent is simply too high. We can't afford to pay high costs of living at home and work. There was a time when parts of San Diego were so sought after for shop space that vacancies simply did not exist, but small businesses had a chance if they moved quick enough. Fast forward to today; the same areas have vacancy signs everywhere and because rent has shot up 20% in less than 2 years, small business owners can't afford a piece of the brick and mortar pie. So, we continue to hustle online and work events if we can. It helps bring in some money, but it's not the same as building relationships & community around you. 
When I tell people this goal of opening a brick and mortar they often say, "Just stick with online. That's where the money is at." I didn't start this JUST to make money. I wanted to create a life...for myself and my kids. I didn't want to be told whether or not I could go to my children's school events or beg for time off. I wanted to make some extra money, yes, but my main focus was to be able to keep the unity of our home protected. Now, as time progresses, the urgency to protect the life in my home is stronger than ever. I am also realizing I want to help protect other businesses and families as well. I'm not sure if it's true but 90% of all new businesses fail in the first 5 years! That's crazy! Fingers crossed we don't show up in that statistic.
To be completely honest, my ultimate goal is to have a warehouse shop that can house at least 30-40 other small business owners and makers who are looking for a location to sell. A small business market essentially...That way we are building each other up and creating an economy for ourselves. We can ignite each others businesses and build community while we weave our way through our journeys. Along the way I plan to continue to buy from small makers and business owners throughout the world. 
Building business and creating community. Kind of a theme I'm starting to see here...
As always I wanna know what you guys and gals think? Am I biased? You bet. I love being a business owner and I love supporting other small business owners. What do you think? Can we spend our $ to build up families...communities and businesses? Or is it all hopeless hogwash? Will Amazon continue to just take over the world? Let me know!