To our buds,

As we reflect on the end of Small Business Week, we didn’t want to take this as a holiday. We want to be transparent in a time where that may feel more and more scarce. Small Businesses Aren’t Fine. We’re Fighting. Fighting to keep our own and others in our communities the ability to stay afloat..And honestly, it feels like the right time to speak directly to you—not as a brand, but as people who get it.

We know what it’s like to feel small in a world that moves fast and forgets the details. To feel like your values, your identity, or your way of doing things aren’t part of the “plan” that gets prioritized. Especially now, with policies rolling back environmental protections and cutting support for humanitarian efforts—it’s beyond frustrating. We’re watching years of progress disappear while decision-makers keep pretending the world isn’t burning. And it’s clear: we need more accountability, not less.

And let’s not forget—we’re only a few years out from the start of a global pandemic that rattled the very foundation of not just ours but the global economy. We still remember the fear, the uncertainty, the sleepless nights. And like so many others, we adapted, we made tough calls, we held onto our purpose when everything around us felt chaotic.

Add to that the new tariffs and economic turbulence, and it’s easy to feel like the odds are stacked. When you’re a small business, a shift in supply costs or a delayed shipment can mean real consequences. Every dollar, every hour, every decision counts.

We’ve only been doing this for ten years—but those ten years have taught us how to keep going when things don’t make sense. We built O’Douds to offer an alternative. To make sensible, sustainable self-care for anyone and everyone—no exceptions. To be the most clear- that includes our LGBTQIA+ community, our neighbors of every background and belief, and anyone who’s ever felt like they’ve had to fight twice as hard to be seen, heard, and cared for.

And if you’re feeling that uncertainty right now, you’re not alone. Recession talk, instability, burnout—it’s enough to make anyone feel paralyzed. But here’s the thing: small steps do matter.

Visit that weekend market in your neighborhood. Stop by that pop-up shop you've walked past five times. Choose the handmade soap over the mass-produced one next time you're out. Send a message to your friend running their Etsy store. These aren't grand gestures, but they build something real—a community that supports and uplifts its own.

We’re proud to be a part of that. Not as the loudest voice in the room, but as a steady one. You’ll find us in local shops, on your bathroom shelf, at that queer-friendly barber down the street who knows your name and pronouns. We're in it with you.

So, to every person who has shown up, shared our story, or simply chosen a product made with intention—thank you. You remind us why this work matters.

We’re here, we’re staying, and we’re growing—together.

— The O'Douds Team