Shine On Boss Babe

Using Wedding Style Registries to Support Your Business

Did you make a registry when you were getting married or when you were having a baby? Maybe you put together multiple to give your guests more of a choice. I had two registries set up when I got married asking for all kinds of shit from household essentials to things I thought were cool but will probs never use (thanks everyone for the THREE TORTILLA WARMERS*! )

We’re so happy and willing to ask others to spend their money and time on us when it comes to these personal milestones, but why aren’t we putting that same effort into asking for what we need and want when it comes to our professional ones? 

How many times have you known someone starting up their own business or side hustle and had no idea how to support them in the process? Is liking their content enough? Should I buy something? What do they need from me? What if there was a way for women starting and running their own businesses to put together a registry of things they need not for a wedding or a baby but to keep their business dreams alive? Fantastic news, ya’ll. There is.

Shine Registry was founded by Emily Wazlak in 2016 with the mindset that if you can ask for a gravy boat when you’re getting married, why can’t you ask for office supplies or networking connections when you’re starting a business? And you know what, she’s right! Starting a business is hard, it’s lonely, and it’s overwhelming, why not make it easier by reaching out to our community with a list of all the ways they could better support us on our journey?

Shine Registry is super simple to use, if you want to create your own business registry you can sign up here. You’ll have the chance to write up a little something about your business, what stage you’re at in getting it running, and then you get to do the fun part: come up with a list of what would be helpful to you. They break it down into three categories:

Small Things - things that take no real time or money like following your social media or sharing posts

Little Stuff - things that require a bit more of a time or money commitment like helping to establish connections or making a small purchase

Big Asks things that would take the most time/money for your supporters to fulfill like volunteering their expertise or helping fund a major purchase

Here’s what my list looks like for a better idea.

Want to support a registry? Just sign up for an account, check out the over 200 international registries currently set up, and click the items you are able to fulfill. If more discussion needs to take place between you and the founder to fulfill the item, your contact info will be sent to the founder to get in touch. 

I truly, no bullshit, love the entire concept behind Shine Registry. Giving women entrepreneurs a place where they can ask for all the things they need but set up in a way that so many of us are use to from weddings and baby showers is total genius! It makes asking and supporting more familiar and honestly, more accepted. It no longer feels like you, as a business owner, are asking for hand outs and those supporting can feel like their contributions are actually helpful, wanted, and needed.

If you have the extra time and/or money to help support the business dreams and goals of women entrepreneurs, head over to Shine Registry right now and give these ladies some business love! And if you’re feeling extra generous (SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT) I would be hella grateful for you to check out my registry too. 

Have questions about starting your own registry? Want to tell us about your business or about a business you support? Share it in the comments below!

*I only asked for one tortilla warmer…I’m not some tortilla maniac