I should have thought of this earlier. I really should have.
But however belatedly, I think it would be great to create a sort of directory here at the blog for the businesses of supporters of Living Freedom. And other freedomistas.
In particular I was thinking about businesses that do national or international shipping and might be good places to go Christmas shopping. But it goes beyond that.
NFI on my part for any of these; I just think having a directory of businesses within our Living Freedom community is a good idea.
Two come to mind immediately:
- Hi Mountain Seasonings makes those wonderful jerky- and sausage-making kits and ships them all over the world. The Hummels, who own the company, have been staunch supporters of this blog (and of canine rescue efforts) as long as I can remember.
- The Fudge Factory may be the best-loved chocolate shop in Arkansas. While they don’t have their own website and are primarily a local/tourist business, they will take phone orders (501-624-2190) and ship across the U.S. I can attest to the scrumptiousness of 10 varieties of their handmade fudges (not primal; so sue me). And once again, the owners of this business are supporters of the blog and have helped big-time in dog rescue.
Another long-time reader and supporter has a farm-supply store. But I don’t know whether he does, or wants to do, business beyond his local area. (If you do, R, just speak up!)
And of course there is no bigger supporter of this blog than Backwoods Home magazine. Which has, among other things, a general store. Without BHM, this blog wouldn’t exist, so lordy me, BHM deserves our support and business.
Although old friend of liberty Katherine Albrecht doesn’t own the privacy-enhancing StartPage search engine, she represents the company. Aside from the huge privacy benefits, using StartPage or its European affiliate Ixquick.com gives a vote of confidence to Katherine.
I don’t want to leave anybody out! So if you’re a reader and/or supporter of this blog and you have a business (big or small) that could serve a national or international clientele, drop a comment with links or other info.
(Comments with links sometimes don’t get automatically approved, even from regular commentors. So be patient and I’ll keep an eye out for them.)
We do ship nationwide everyday… but our franchise brands won’t allow us to ship outside of the U.S. In my business, I get to talk (and hopefully sell) to a wide array of folks each day; from full time recreational RVers, to off-grid folks, to Joe homeowner needing backup power. I’d love a spot in the Freedomista directory! Those would be my kind of customers!
I just have the stuff I sell online.
Still working on finding a manufacturer for my clothing line. I think there’s some kind of industry-wide email boycott, because of the couple hundred I’ve tried to contact, only 2 ever replied, and that was to say they don’t work with satin.
Will this Directory be kept here (as a link), on a separate website, in print (say, as a catalog), or some other means of listing?
Pat, I was originally just thinking about making this blog post into a directory as people added contact info for their businesses. But then I got to wondering how to keep it visible.
So I don’t have answers yet.
I know there have been other freedomista business directories over the years. May still be some, for all I know. I’m not sure any of them have brought a lot of business to the people listed.
My original thought was just to encourage blog readers to do business with blog supporters — no big project, just a small thank you. But this bears more consideration.
Ellendra — It’s a damn shame you’re having that struggle. I know nothing about the economics of the clothing business. Are you trying to get someone to manufacture your line so that you can then sell the items yourself? Or are you trying to contract with someone who will also market your creations?
Ragnar — If you’ve got a website or want to give other contact info for your business, you can do it here if you want to. But Pat brings up good points. Maybe this does need its own site with more formal listings than can be done in this format.
DullHawk — As a proud possessor of a “Time’s Up!” DullHawk flag and copies of a couple of your books, I can highly recommend your goods. I thought Indy Pindy was a terrific children’s book.
I had once thought of a website for freedomista businesses, along with a bartering page for those who wanted to trade products, services or personal items. Also a page for communications – a way to meet up, or make other personal contact (with simple code or secure email so real names would not have to be listed online).
But I have trouble with setting up a website.
Our little family business sells the well know brands of super quiet inverter generators and we invented (back in 2001) and manufacture the wireless remote start systems for said generators. http://www.hayesequipment.com
Cool idea. Just send the Hi Mountain page to a friend who wants to start making sausage.
Sometime in the near 6 month future (assuming the world doesn’t end LOL < sarcasm) I'll be starting over from scratch in one place again….I would so prefer to spend my money with people who really deserve it, so I will be watching this closely…
Ellendra, that is typical so don't take it personally…but don't give up, keep trying (sometimes multiple times with the same people)….they may not be able to handle it for their own reasons and not necessarily because of your designs or anything like that…..it seems like everyone is waiting with their breaths held to see what's gonna happen next, so it's all at a standstill right now….
jed — Nice bit of networking. I’ve never used their sausage-making kits. But have used several Hi Mountain jerky kits. So easy. And lots of good flavors to choose from. I sometimes customize them by adding a little more pepper or somesuch. But the way they’re set up makes it easy for anybody to get started.
And the people couldn’t be better.
Ragnar — Thanks for the link. Sure do like those little generators. And your family invented remote, wireless starters for them??? Kewl …
Claire: Right now I’m looking for someone to just do the manufacturing, although if someone did want to take over the marketing I’d let them. I just know that I can’t do that much sewing. I tried and wound up with 3-day hand cramps in both hands, one of them clear up to the elbow! Lesson learned.
Naturegirl: Thanks for the encouragement. I’m not taking their rejections personally, but, I do keeping thinking that this might be why so many companies outsource. I want an American company so I don’t have to deal with the language barrier, and I *really* don’t want to have to read through import regulations!
I will admit to feeling a tiny bit of schadenfreude when one of the factories that ignored me announced they were shutting down due to lack of customers.
I, for one, would LOVE to have a hardcopy of the list when it gets put together.
While I am only a Luddite by poverty, I cannot afford the “Smart Phone” monthly bill or the outright initial cost of such a Luxury, I would still rather support folks who are awake to the potential SHTF situation.
Which means that IF I am away from my hovel and my desktop I would need a hardcopy of the listing to be able to support these fine folks.
I wish I had a product, service or skill I could advertize here but alas I am a “Jack-of-all-trades” and Master only of ships, and their safe maneuvering, on the open oceans. [Steam, Motor or Sail]
Count me IN at any rate.
gooch
Thanks, gooch. But so far, there’s been so little interest that I don’t think it’s likely to happen. There once were other such lists online that freedomista business people could add themselves to. But whether those even exist now, I don’t know.