Local start-ups, 'unique' products join holiday shopping wave

DALLAS – Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is another shopping success called Small Business Saturday.

Dallas start-ups are cashing in.

They rolled out the welcome mat on Saturday and are campaigning for your business during this season of giving.

Deep Ellum's new pop-up retail space called Unbranded hosted an event designed just for them.

"We're brand new," said Carly Nance, a budding businesswoman who set up shop inside Unbranded. "We just launched in August actually."

She and Rachel Bentley were college friends turned business partners.

"Right now it just tons and tons of work," added Bentley.

The pair co-founded The Citizenry, a globally-inspired home décor brand. They create limited-edition collections with artisan entrepreneurs across the world.

Small Business Saturday helps local entrepreneurs during the holiday shopping season. Jenny Doren visited with the local business owners. WFAA

"It is high risk, but it's high reward because you get to pour your heart and soul into something," explained Nance.

Small Business Saturday is a day devoted to people just them.

American Express launched the movement five years ago to help local businesses rise above a down economy. Shoppers like Margie Kayser and Tammy Trammell started opening their wallets.

"When you come to an event like this, you can get a gift for someone that no one else is going to have," said Trammell. "They're unique."

Kayser couldn't agree more.

"I'm supporting any young artist because I have two artists in my family," she said.

Several other budding artists and mom-and-pop shops celebrated Small Business Saturday and cashed in at the Design District Market at the Community Beer Company.

The folks there were quick to say shopping small can have a big impact. Sixty-eight out of every $100 spent at a local business are pumped back into our community.

Jake McKnight loves that figure. He's the founder of Haus of Growlers which sells cool growlers and apparel online.

"I run the business here out of my apartment in Dallas so there ya go," he chuckled. "The typical American dream."

For McKnight, however, it's no longer just a dream. It's reality.

"I lived on my brother's couch for about four months when we first started and it's come to this now," he said. "I mean it's scary, but at the end of the day, I wouldn't have it any other way."