When you pickup a product with a “Made in the USA” logo on it, you should feel a sense of pride. Buying goods made in the US helps keep Americans on the front lines of innovation so we can stay competitive in the global market. But more than just feeling a sense of pride and patriotism, there are four other very important reasons you should feel compelled to buy American made:

1. Producing jobs: Yes, this one is rather obvious, but it's also incredibly impactful. The loss of American manufacturing jobsover the last 15 years has had a staggering effect on the US economy and the job market. Purchasing American-made products furtherensures that companies will keep their manufacturing efforts in the United States and employ American workers. And it doesn't stop there since the success of US-based manufacturing companies can affect other parts of the US economy (construction, financial, energy, etc.) and create jobs in other sectors. The Economic Policy Institute reports that 1 U.S. manufacturing job supports 1.4 jobs in other sectors of the U.S. economy.
   
   
2. Environmental Concerns: Purchasing U.S. products just makes environmental sense. American-made products carry a much smaller carbon footprint than products produced overseas. Shipping products around the globe comes at a high environmental cost due to plane and ship emissions and buying U.S. products dramatically cuts those costs down. 

         Another concern is that other countries do not have the type of           
         environmental restrictions on emissions and other pollutants that we do in
         the U.S. so the manufacturing of those products could be causing greater
         damage to the environment and the people working in the facilities.

3. Labor Practices: Much like with the environment, many countries do not have labor laws in place that guarantee that employees are working safe conditions. From unsafe work environments, to unhealthy air quality, to child labor, the number of human rights issues that come with many products produced overseas is troubling.
   
   
4. Quality: When you see a"Made in the USA" sticker or logo on a product, you know that you have your hands on a quality good. Companies that manufacture products in the U.S. have full control of the process from the materials being used to the way products are being constructed. This complete oversight over the manufacturing process results in a quality product that cannot be matched by outsourcing.  

Small Batch takes great pride in the fact that nearly 100% OF ALL GOODS that line our shelves are made right here in the States. This is not a new concept for us. It is the cornerstone of our business and the model we will continue to follow.

That is not to say, however, that Amazon is not in our recent browser history. That would be a lie and our UPS man would call us out on that. However, we do wholeheartedly support our local makers and artists who are providing high-quality, beautiful goods that we curate for special gifts we know our clients will love.

We love getting the opportunity to talk with them to place orders and get excited knowing that we are helping support not only the maker, but their families as well. A lot of the people we work with have kids the same age as ours, know someone else who lives here, has dreams and ambitions similar to ours. We know their struggles as small business owners because we have them too. We also know how much EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE, no matter how big or small, helps make a difference in their lives because it makes a huge difference in ours as well.

When you buy local, you’re helping a family buy a home, a child go to school and play a sport or an instrument, new parents who work and also shop and eat local to put dollars back into their communities, a mother and father who play active roles as community and group leaders ~ all for the greater good of where they live.

It’s this sense of community and partnership that is essential to the American dream. It’s more than making a fortune for yourself; it’s making a difference for others along the way.

We are proud to support and appreciate high-quality craftsmanship from artists and makers in other parts of the world as well, but at Small Batch, we’re focused on showcasing high-quality craftsmanship from right here at home.

*NOTE: Excerpt regarding the 4 important reasons to buy American is from Dan Ericson at Ericson Manufacturing.