National Small Business Week Highlight: Family of Things

Fox 42 KPTM Article

by Mckenzy Parsons

OMAHA, Neb. (KPTM) — National Small Business Week celebrates about half of America's workforce and one of the driving factors running America, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.

Small businesses can range from brick-and-mortar stores to online only stores.

A small business in Omaha provides independent makers, designers, and manufacturers a space to sell their products while promoting wonderful objects with their origin stories, according to founder Sara Jacobsen.

The store located in Little Bohemia at 1234 S. 13th St. #203 sells a wide variety of products ranging from kids toys to kitchenware to storage.

Sara took inspiration from both her Masters Degree in Designed Objects from the School of Art Institute in Chicago and her time spent in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and 13 years in San Francisco.

She opened her doors during the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021. To handle the everchanging world of COVID, she has both in store shopping and online shopping.

Since the declining numbers and the nicer weather, business has been picking up, Sara said.

To make matters better National Small Business Week is the first seven days of May.

Small businesses give unique life and energy to our community, and recognizing the grit and effort that goes into helping build that community is essential," said Sara. "The shop wouldn’t exist without the great support of our local customers and neighbors, so having a week dedicated to small business feels like a celebration of all that’s unique and special about Omaha and specifically our wonderful Little Bohemia neighborhood that has several awesome small businesses. Hopefully it will encourage people to seek out small businesses around them to support in their neighborhoods and others.

To celebrate National Small Business Week, Family of Things is doing a giveaway of some of their brands: Los Pablanos, Bathing Culture, and Everyday Oil apothecary goods on Instagram @familyofthings_shop

Even though owning a small business is tough and tons of work, Sara feels it is so rewarding.

I love talking to customers in the shop - sharing my story, hearing theirs, and sharing the stories of the objects and makers we carry," she said. "I love the idea that all of the things we sell in the shop are going to great homes to be loved and lived with well. Having lived in many other cities, I am grateful to be back in Omaha with the shop, support and community here.

To take a look at what Family of Things has to offer, visit their website famofthings.com.