Shop Local: Mother of All Markets Re-Cap

One thing we love most about Iowa City is the #shoplocal mentality! Since our community has so many amazing moms and women running businesses of all sorts, all over the corridor, we knew that Small Business Saturday would be a fun time to gather a bunch of our favorites in one place for an EPIC afternoon of holiday shopping. Back by popular demand the 2nd ICMB Mother of All Markets took place on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in Coralville, Iowa. We showcased 34 unique vendors and they did not disappoint! We were thrilled to have over 300 shoppers come out to shop small and support local mom-run businesses. 

We encourage you to check out these amazing businesses and support the creative and driven women behind them as you finish your holiday shopping… and all year long! 

Usborne Books and More have a HUGE variety of books to offer to children of all ages. You can find books for ages newborn through high school age. Usborne Books and More has story books, activity books, chapter books, non-fiction, and SO many more! Over 50% of the books are under $9.99, so super affordable. These books are some of the BEST educational and fun books on the market today!

Angie’s Sew Crafty specializes in fun, hand-made, contemporary doll clothes and accessories for American Girl, Bitty Baby and Wellie Wisher dolls. Angie loves up-cycling old kids’ clothes and making special orders!

Many exciting changes have occurred this year, with more to come. Formerly known only for Jamberry, Dawn’s company has expanded to introduce BeneYou! She still has the nail art products you know and love for fun, confidence, and the least chemical exposure than any other brand. She now also offers hydration sticks to increase your water intake with purpose and a variety of products to help with other areas related to your health and wellbeing, including, but not limited to: better quality sleep, appetite control and weight loss, gut health, and skin care. 

Birch Harbor was dreamed up over a glass of wine between two friends – both with a passion for creating and supporting small businesses. With Bri specializing in glassware and home decor, and Libby in clothing, koozies and so much more, they truly have something to offer for everyone. The best part? If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, they love custom orders and creating that perfect item or gift for you!

Bright Light Design Studio is a shop based in Coralville that specializes in illustrations, watercolor, and hand lettering. She uses her illustrations and designs to make goods and gifts like tea towels, custom stationary, prints and stickers. She even takes custom orders! 

CIELO means “the heavens” in Spanish. Monica Berry crafts self care products and handmade clothing inspired by the heavens. Moon Warmers (neck wraps) and Moon Pillows (eye pillows) are microwaveable and filled with pure flax, dried herbs and flowers. She loves hearing from customers how her products provide relief from sore muscles, tension and anxiety. Monica is based in Tiffin and also designs and sews clothing for women and children during the warmer months.

Crafty Plus Wife specializes in apparel, home goods, and gifts. Everything is hand crafted and made locally. They offer a variety of vinyl and screen printed t-shirts for women and kids. A wide variety of hand glittered, painted, and dipped tumblers are also available for purchase. Crafty Plus Wife also carries car decals, can coolers, kitchen towels, throw pillows, and much more. They accept custom orders for all of their products as well.

Damsel in Defense by Shirley offers a variety of personal protection tools and alarms. These include cubatons, pepper spray, stun guns, concealment purses and backpacks, roadside assistance items, as well as child awareness and educational products. Damsel in Defense’s mission is to equip, empower and educate women across America… it starts with you!

Mom life is a little chaotic and we know it’s all too easy to put health and wellness on the back-burner — but Jessi, Renee and Jennifer (all local moms) can offer a BIG discounts on some amazing plant-based health and beauty products to help you and your whole family get and stay healthy year-round. Shoppers enjoyed free samples of the fat-burning Keto Coffee that everyone is raving about AND the kid-approved CHOCOLATE Greens that will help you sneak fruits, veggies and superfoods into your kids’ daily diet. Talk about a #momwin! Visit the website to lock in a lifetime discount with a flexible subscription box, or connect with Jessi on Facebook for a personal consultation and product recommendations based on your lifestyle, goals and budget. It’s time to TRY IT!

KEEP Collective is line of personalizable and meaningful jewelry. What is your story? Michelle can help put your story in the spotlight and help you design something beautiful and unique.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or activity to keep your kiddo occupied on the long trip to grandma’s house? Grab a portable play-set from KITTD! Available locally or on Amazon with Prime shipping (because they’re moms too), KITTD is the brainchild of two area moms who were sick of seeing their kids on electronics…so they created the antidote! KITTD playsets are portable, pocketable activities and games designed to keep kids busy, engaged, and unplugged anywhere they’re on the go! KITTD products are perfect for travel, restaurants, church, and sibling events – anywhere kids are waiting!

Lori Ann’s Candies is a chocolate candy home business, ran by a mother daughter duo. They offer a wide variety of handmade chocolate truffles, candy bars, caramels, turtles and much more. All made with their hands and their hearts.

Grace in Chaos and All Mom Buns+Arrows feature LuLaRoe. Which is great quality, fun, comfortable clothes and an amazing experience and community with Darci Jo and Jen. The prints and patterns change constantly to keep with current fashion trends and you will probably never see the same pattern twice so if you see something you love you better snatch it up quick because you will probably never see it again!! Darci Jo and Jen’s boutiques are busting at the seams with skirts and dresses sizes XXS to 3XL, a wide variety of tops – tunics, tees, and baseball shirts, leggings (ooooo….the LEGGINGS), and little girls’ dresses and leggings. All cash and carry items, no waiting! Perfect for starting or finishing up that Christmas shopping or snagging yourself something special!

MONAT’s ingredients are naturally-based, safe, pure, and sustainable. It combines the power of nature with innovative technology. MONAT only uses the highest quality, plant-based ingredients from natural sources like botanical extracts, essential oils, and vegetable proteins. MONAT supports the reduction of hair thinning, prevents oxidative stress, and adds long lasting shine with unprecendented anti-aging results for the hair and skin. Every product is clinically tested and proven to create an environment for stronger, healthier, younger looking hair. Visit KatieY.mymonat.com to start your healthy hair journey today!

Mr & Mrs Tea makes all natural, hand crafted, loose leaf tea blends.

Nielson’s Honey Farm sells local pure Honey, flavored honey and other hive products, including lip balm and lotions!

As a Norwex independent sales consultant, I get the privilege of sharing safe and effective household and personal care products to homes across the United States. Did you ever think it would be possible to clean 95% of your home with just a few cloths and some water?! Norwex microfiber is proven to remove 99% of bacteria from surfaces with proper care and use! But our BEST item in the catalog is the opportunity Norwex provides to their Consultants! I’ve been with Norwex for almost 7 years now and I still get soooo excited to share these amazing products with people! Norwex has been a true gift to my life both financially and in personal development. I’m forever grateful for my friends introducing me to this company.

Julie Barron of Our Cozy Nook Essential Oils took attendees through the simple steps of incorporating holistic health into their family’s routine. Julie and her team focus on education, 1:1 support, community, & oil safety. Julie is a wife, mom to 3 young kiddos, and a cancer survivor! She uses her experiences to help guide and support others as they walk their path of natural health. She works to help folks incorporate natural wellness alongside their traditional Western medicine practices. Her number one tip is to let the process be intuitive; don’t overthink it!

Paparazzi accessories offers fun, fashionable & affordable accessories for everyone!

Women are constantly giving, giving, giving.  They give time to their family, friends, job, and if there’s any time left, they donate it other places, as well.  But where is their time?

We all deserve to take some time for ourselves, too!  Women deserve to be pampered and taken care of the way they pamper all those around them.  Perfectly Posh isn’t just about really great, naturally based products.  Yes, we love those things, but what this big fun, crazy company is really all about is YOU!  We simply pamper!  All products are made in the USA, they are naturally-based, cruelty free, and priced $25 and under!  I have been a consultant with Posh since the day it started and I believe in it as a company and its products.  I offer home spa parties, private pampering sessions, on-line orders, customer bundles and more!

Pickle Creek Herbs is an organic herb farm in Southeast Iowa whose mission is to show how amazing herbs can be when they’re grown by passionate farmers who love their plants, their community, and their soil. The Pickle Creek farmers grow herbs, berries, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic that they use to create artisan herb-infused olive oils & vinegars, soap, salves, and balms. They take the process from seed to store, making everything by hand and using original recipes. Try their herbal creations and experience the difference that Iowa-grown makes!

Rural Roots Boutique is a women’s clothing boutique that can be found on Facebook. They are based out of Washington, IA and were started by 2 sisters, Katie Quinn and Carly Schneider. Rural Roots Boutique offers a great selection of women’s tops, dresses, jeans and more.

Scentsy has something for everyone! Choose from over 90 Scentsy Bar scents to warm in a warmer. The Disney Collection matches exclusive scents with the Disney characters you knew as a child. Scentsy Go is a cordless and portable scent delivery system that is convenient for any age. Scentsy diffusers are beautiful and come with a lifetime warranty. Show your skin some love with nourishing formulas in a variety of fantastic scents. Scentsy cleaners tackle the toughest cleaning jobs around the house. Laundry is no longer a mundane chore with the Scentsy laundry line. Kids love the collective buddies with scent paks or Scentsy buddy clips. Stop by to sniff and see all of the new fall and winter scents and products for yourself!

The Purple Wagon is a culmination of a mom and daughter’s love for handmade and quality baby apparel and accessories. Wanting to create fun, quirky, and unique designs and prints for all the babes in their lives, Karlee and Danielle seek out the softest and stretchiest, but trendy, fabrics from which to make their products. Babes deserve to be super comfortable and ridiculously adorable simultaneously, and TPW onesies, tees, slouchy pants and bloomers, bonnets, headbands, bibs, blankies, paci clips, teethers provide exactly that.

Wildtree is an organic food company focused on helping busy families get back to the dinner table. Are you a supermom who is out of ideas? Tired of making the same 5 meals every week? Has no time to cook? Is running out the door each morning with barely a cup of coffee for breakfast? Wildtree to the rescue! Our amazing app helps you quickly choose meals your family will LOVE, make a grocery list so you can shop local, and provide quick and easy recipes that even your kids can make! Download the Wildtree App today and use code Y9P6U.

Writings On The Wall goes beyond the ordinary! We love to bring your concepts to life in the form of customized wooden wall signs. We specialize in challenges and enjoy working with each customer to help fulfill their ideas. The letters and design elements can be either raised wood or etched in the back board or a combination of both! Our goal is to provide you with a customized piece that will make a bold statement and focal piece in your home or office! They make great gifts too! Find us on our public Facebook group page at https://m.facebook.com/groups/173784300103249 or give us a call at (319) 360-2229

Heather is an independent presenter for Younique, a modern, naturally-based makeup and skincare company. She is able to work from home sharing makeup tutorials demonstrating creative methods for enhancing one’s natural beauty. She is very passionate about this line of beauty products because their mission is to uplift, empower, and validate women from all over the world. She also loves that they support the Haven Retreat, which supports women who have been sexually abused as children. As a survivor of childhood sexual-abuse, this has placed a strong “why” behind the passion Heather has developed through her business over the past 4 years.

ZYIA Active is a new lifestyle Active Brand that was launched 18 months ago in Salt lake City, Utah! ZYIA with Ali sells high quality active wear, comparable to other competitive active wear companies, but for a better price! ZYIA was started by 3 women who saw a gap in the active wear industry and wanted to create a line that sold the items through Reps (like Ali!) in order to bring women together and uplift, encourage and support one another’s success. ZYIA has sizes ranging from XXS- 3XL and offers leggings, sports bras, men’s wear, as well as athleisure items. Ali also loves bringing ZYIA to in-home parties, so if you would like the opportunity to earn some FREE or cheap ZYIA items just for hosting a party, please contact her for more information!