Spilling the Tea: How Big Corporations Stole Christmas – The Impact of Prime Culture on Small Businesses

The holiday season has always been a special time for us. As co-founders of Moody Teas, a Black, Woman, and LGBTQ+-owned business, it’s a moment to share the blends we’ve lovingly crafted, connect with customers, and celebrate the magic of thoughtful, intentional shopping. But in recent years, we’ve felt that magic start to dim, replaced by the relentless pace and pressure set by big corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. The holidays now feel like a chaotic scramble to meet impossible expectations—expectations that small businesses like Moody Teas simply can’t fulfill.

Let’s talk about how Amazon has changed holiday shopping, what it means for small businesses like ours, and how we can all make more meaningful choices this season.

Prime Shipping and the Unfair Advantage

Remember when shipping wasn’t instant? When people understood that small businesses couldn’t match the resources of a global giant? Services like Amazon Prime have conditioned customers to expect free, lightning-fast delivery, and small businesses are struggling to keep up. At Moody Teas, we do offer free delivery in the Chicagoland area and free shipping on orders over $35, but we can’t afford to ship smaller orders for free. Shipping heavy bags of tea is costly, and as a small business, we don’t have the scale to absorb those costs like big corporations do. The answer isn’t always received well.

For us to offer free shipping on every order, we’d have to raise prices significantly or take a financial hit—neither of which is sustainable. And let’s not forget the environmental cost of expedited shipping, which large corporations conveniently downplay. Moody Teas is committed to sustainable practices, and while we want to deliver quickly, we also prioritize keeping our environmental footprint low. Amazon’s shipping perks aren’t truly “free”—the costs are shifted onto small businesses and the planet.

The Discount Dilemma

The endless sales from big corporations like Amazon and Walmart have created a culture of expecting massive discounts. At Moody Teas, we’ve seen firsthand how this affects customer expectations. While we’re happy to offer modest holiday promotions, we can’t compete with big corporations’ race-to-the-bottom pricing. For us, every sale matters. Offering steep discounts isn’t just challenging; it’s a risk to our survival as a business.

The pricing models of corporations like Amazon and Target allows them to sell items at little to no profit, using data to optimize their bottom line. But small businesses don’t have that luxury. For Black, Woman, and LGBTQ+ business owners like us, the barriers are even steeper. We’re often working twice as hard to stay competitive in a system that isn’t built for us. When customers expect us to match Amazon’s discounts, they’re asking us to compromise the very values and quality that make us unique.

The Customer Service Paradox

Big corporations’ customer service (like Amazon’s) is designed to make returns and refunds effortless, often at the expense of small businesses. At Moody Teas, we pride ourselves on personal, thoughtful service, but we don’t have the resources to offer instant refunds or absorb the costs of every minor delay. Each refund impacts our ability to reinvest in inventory, pay our team, and grow.

When customers expect the same flexibility they get from Amazon, it’s a stark reminder of the unrealistic standards set by big corporations. Supporting a small business means understanding that we’re balancing quality, sustainability, and limited resources—as two dedicated co-founders.

The Impact on Local Economies

One thing Amazon can’t offer is community. When you buy from Moody Teas, your money goes toward supporting a local, Black, Woman, and LGBTQ+-owned business co-founded by two passionate entrepreneurs. It helps us grow, create jobs, and reinvest in our community. Small businesses like ours contribute diversity and heart to the marketplace, fostering connections that big corporations simply can’t replicate.

Every time someone chooses big corporations over a small business, it chips away at the fabric of our local economies. The holiday season should be a time to celebrate unique craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and community impact. But the dominance of corporations like Amazon and Walmart makes it harder for small, independent businesses to survive.

How You Can Help Small Businesses

Making a difference doesn’t require a huge effort—just a commitment to shopping thoughtfully. Whether it’s the holiday season or any time of year, here’s how you can support small businesses like Moody Teas:

1. Plan Ahead: Small businesses can’t always offer two-day shipping, so start your shopping early to give them the time they need.
2. Be Mindful About Discounts: Don’t expect deep discounts just because Amazon offers them. If a small business has a promotion, great! If not, remember that their pricing reflects the true value of their products.
3. Embrace Unique Products: Small businesses create one-of-a-kind items with care and intention. Celebrate the story behind your purchase.
4. Practice Patience: If there’s an issue with your order, reach out kindly. Small businesses are often juggling multiple roles and will do their best to make it right.
5. Support Marginalized Business Owners: Seek out businesses owned by underrepresented communities. Your support helps create a more inclusive marketplace.
6. Spread the Word: Share your positive experiences on social media, leave reviews, and recommend small businesses to friends and family.
7. Consider Gift Cards: Not sure what to buy? Gift cards let recipients choose something they’ll love while supporting the business.
8. Reduce Returns: Thoughtful shopping reduces the need for returns, which can be costly for small businesses.
9. Shop Year-Round: Small businesses depend on consistent support. Make a habit of choosing local and independent businesses throughout the year, not just during the holidays.

This holiday season and beyond, let’s reclaim the spirit of shopping small. By choosing Moody Teas and other small businesses, you’re making a powerful statement about the kind of world you want to support. Together, we can resist the pull of convenience and celebrate the passion, creativity, and care that small business owners pour into everything they do.