IT’S THE SMALL THINGS Alex M. Eduque If you are at all a creature of habit like me, once I find something I like, I keep going back to it, and slightly freak out when I realize production is halted, or it is permanently (sometimes even temporarily) unavailable. As ECQ has once again been imposed on us, I am most certain that flashbacks of March 2020 came to mind – the empty grocery shelves, the fear of going out for fear of catching the virus, the inability to be able to get our deli and butcher favorites without leaving the comforts of our home, the list goes on. Fear not, because all of these, and more, are now available online in a single website which promises to deliver within Metro Manila in two to three days. From artisanal goods, to new normal essentials, deli goods, neighborhood butcher delights, frozen meals and even tech merchandise, Finds by Purple Tag has got it all for you. Husband and wife wonder team Alvin and Chiw Bailon were one of the many whose businesses were severely affected by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The dynamic duo behind a leading supplier in corporate giveaways, Purple Tag, and stationers extraordinaire Printsonalities, Alvin and Chiw both knew that the onslaught of the pandemic would mean a dip in their businesses – one that revolved around events that were no longer allowed for the most part, and whose landscape has changed dramatically to intimate gatherings, and the other where corporate giveaways are no longer prioritized. Harnessing their strengths and expertise through the years, they decided to pivot their platform and establish F!nds by Purple Tag which promises to bring the most “hard to find” and well-curated specialty goods to consumers through the power of e-commerce. Besides the multitude of goods that one is able to find, not to mention how well curated the items are that are literally only a few clicks away, what I, as a conscious consumer appreciate the most about this platform is how Alvin and Chiw are able to provide a stage for artisans and small business owners who otherwise would have a more difficult time advertising their goods and arranging for logistics to shine. They provide an avenue and seek ways to promote them sustainably and actively, giving them one less headache, but an avenue for sustainable income. In pivoting to sustain their own income in the midst of the pandemic, they were simultaneously able to ensure that many others would benefit as well. It is a business that enhances the lives of both the customers and vendors together – bringing to our homes the best in the market, while customers, as consumers are supporting local businesses thrive. It is a silver lining that we can all be grateful for in the midst of the looming dark skies this pandemic has brought upon us, and one we can readily support without worrying about possibly exposing ourselves. At the end of the day, life is but a cycle – of giving and receiving. What goes up, does come down, and what goes around, comes around. Karmic energy is real, and the better karma we manifest, I believe, the more the universe will bless us back with. In the same way that Alvin and Chiw ventured into somewhat unknown territories and took a leap of faith in order to survive, and sustain their existing businesses, I am sure many of us also have stories of pandemic blessings to tell. Nothing good comes out of merely sitting around, but hard work, and good hearts I believe, are always rewarded. To shop Finds by Purple Tag, log on to finds.purpletag.com