We are back with another independent business interview this week with the contagiously enthusiastic Jakob from Love Local Collective, or LLC. LLC is on a mission to support, promote, and strengthen local businesses by sharing awareness and encouraging consumers to shop locally.
So it will be interesting to hear what Jakob has to say from his experiences connecting with many, many small businesses, and what he thinks the future holds!
♥ Jakob’s Interview ♥
Describe Love Local Collective in three words: sharing the love.
How long have you been running your business? We set up as a company in June 2018.
What inspired you to start your business? And what keeps you going? I grew up in Liverpool, which has roughly over 500 independents. My family and I would often visit our local independents for coffee, brunch, lunch or dinner.
You will always get better services, quality and passions with independents. Corporate or chain places never have staff who care about what they do! Shopping locally benefits SO many more people. Spread love, shop local.
And what keeps me going? The face of people when I’ve given them access and help to our 30 thousand monthly readers. I just love helping local businesses thrive and grow!
What are a few of your fave local producers that you’ve seen since starting LLC? I’m in the fortunate position to have met many wonderful local makers. From jewellers to hairdressers. Makers to the best makers of food. A personal favourite of mine is V is for Veggies. She makes the most incredible vegan cakes ever! I'm not even vegan! :-)
What do you think the future holds for shopping? I think we have difficult times ahead, which is why I've set out to get even more businesses involved so we can get people to shop locally instead of spending their cash with the corporate giants.
What’s the best bargain you ever bought? It has to be when I got a load of pallets from a building site! I then made our bed out of them. Long story short I bought the builders some beers for their hard work! A pallet superking bed. Winning.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? I’ve had numerous surgeries on my back. And setting up this company and going away from “normal” life!
What’s your biggest fashion faux-pas? I used to work for AllSaints when I was younger. This was before I decided to start a local revolution! We decided to wear some women’s shorts for the day at work! Brace yourselves, photographic evidence below!!
Find Love Local Collective online here and on Instagram here.
