SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On the corner of L and Front streets in the heart of Old Sacramento's waterfront district, a vibrant store proudly boasts a plethora of upcycled and handmade artisan goods locally sourced with natural and organic ingredients.
Hope Suson is the owner of the "purpose-driven" store Ecojoyous, which opened just months ago. It offers everything from handmade soaps and candles to eco-friendly household goods. Suson says she always wanted to create a storefront empowering buyers to choose sustainable options to enrich their lives.
"I have been an artisan for quite a long time now... and did a lot of interesting work creating things by upcycling and recycling. And I was always inspired by my family just wanting to make a difference," Suson said.
The storefront was a dream that couldn't have been possible with help, she explained. Suson received support for her business through the Calling All Dreamers program, produced by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.
She's also received support from the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce.
"It's been so empowering and such an invaluable thing to be part of (Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce). They've helped me with everything when I first got started here. They were literally here raising awareness about us being an Asian-owned business here in Sacramento," Suson said.
As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, Suson shared the chamber continues to offer a helping hand.
Right now, Ecojoyous is one of more than 30 local small businesses featured in the chamber's AAPI-Owned Holiday Gift Guide. The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce started the holiday guide initiative when small businesses were hit especially hard at the start of the pandemic. Since then, they've published a guide annually to support AAPI-owned businesses in the greater Sacramento region during the holidays.
“Our 2024 AAPI-Owned Holiday Gift Guide is more than just a shopping list — it’s a celebration of the creativity and resilience of over 30 local AAPI-owned small businesses," said Lauren Akabori with the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. "By promoting these businesses, we’re creating opportunities for our community to discover unique, thoughtful gifts while directly supporting entrepreneurs who are shaping our local economy."
"One-of-a-kind" is how Suson likes to describe her products.
"We are the very first and only refill store right downtown. So there are no stores that allow and offer a variety of eco-friendly goods as well as refillable goods," she said. "So, for instance, if you're looking for soaps, laundry detergent, fabric softener, toothpaste, all the things that you can get plastic free, this is where you would go."
Akabori said she hopes the guide will be a go-to resource for holiday shopping with intention.
"Every purchase made through this guide is a step toward uplifting small businesses and fostering a stronger, more inclusive local community," she said.
Suson emphasized shopping small also gives buyers a unique experience they won't get anywhere else.
"People might just decide to go to the big box store or go to Amazon, but when they're supporting small businesses, when they're coming into these wonderful shops, they can see all the hard work, all the passion that comes into the work and the heart... to put together such a shop," Suson said. "And every visit really does make a difference."
When you shop from one of the featured businesses in the guide, you'll have the chance to win a Southwest Airlines gift card! You can learn more HERE.