I don't want to be "the sustainable alternative to Amazon."

This post first appeared in our weekly Make Waves Mondays email series on November 28, 2022.

Okay friend, so there's something that's been on my mind for a while and I think it's about time that I finally try to put it into words and share it with you in this format.

I don't want to be the “sustainable alternative to Amazon.”

This is something that has kind of been circulating in the zero waste shop space for quite a while now. I get a lot of emails from new organizations that are creating website platforms under the premise of being “the sustainable alternative to Amazon.”

I see influencers sharing posts about where to buy products from “sustainable alternatives to Amazon.” 

And honestly, even when I first started A Drop in the Ocean I definitely believed that in order to really make an impact I had to be, essentially, the sustainable alternative to Amazon. 

That I had to provide ~all the things~ to ~all the people~ and be ~everywhere all the time~ and really be that massive kind of organization in order to make any sort of impact. 

And now as we're coming on our four-year anniversary of A Drop in the Ocean I'm realizing that I just don't actually want that.

Like, at all.

What I want for A Drop in the Ocean - truly, at the core of what I want for this shop - is not to be the place to get all the things all the time.

It’s to be the place that you know you can rely on for the best zero waste soaps around.

The place with the refillable laundry detergent that you can't live without.

The place that you trust to always tell the truth, not hold back, and have products that are worth standing behind 100%.

I know our products intimately. I use every product in our shop (except for like, maybe two things). I use them every day. I’ve talked to the owners of these products. I’ve publicly interviewed many of them so you can get to know them, too.

Because our products aren’t made in some warehouse somewhere.

They’re made in small boutique shops. In kitchens. In living rooms. They’re made by hand by real people trying to make a real difference.

So why would I want to become a massive corporation and lose touch with the parts of this business that truly root us?

Is Amazon convenient? Sure. I guess. If you’re trying to buy “all the things.”

But I don’t think we need all the things.

I believe there’s a world where we can slow down. Put value back into the things we buy and the things we own. Support companies that respect our core values and buy products and services from them that reflect those values.

My goal is to support you, friend.

So when you look around your home you think to yourself, “Dang, I’m living a life I’m proud of,” because you - and the things you use every day - are so in alignment with what’s most important to you.

Now, I’m not out here shooting for perfection.

I’m not “perfectly zero waste.” Not even close. I’d never expect you to be perfect, or even try to be. But those small positive changes we can make, can breathe life into us.

So when you’re shopping at A Drop in the Ocean, I want to be that safe space where you can trust that I’ve personally tested and vetted every product. Where you know you’re getting truly sustainable essentials, never greenwashing.

And how could I do that if I wanted to become “the sustainable alternative to Amazon”?

Do I want to see this shop grow? Without a doubt I do. I’ve got big dreams and a big vision for the world and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I’m not one to give up.

This shop is gonna keep making waves.

But do I want to be lumped in with the Amazons of the world? Heck to the no. I’m not gonna give Bezos that power.

I want to be the one and only A Drop in the Ocean. Doing things differently. Always.

So, friend. Let’s rethink the phrase “sustainable alternative to Amazon.”

Let’s stop comparing small, sustainable, and ethical companies to Amazon at all.

Let’s instead find the visionaries doing their own thing.

The creatives building the world they want to live in.

The small business owners solving real-world problems for real-world people.

And let’s support the hell out of ‘em.

Are ya with me?