How Three Companies Are Using Social Media and Branded Merch to Help Small Businesses

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been covering news stories on how companies are coming together to support one another. Here's how three companies in particular—DS Projects, Leave Philly Alone and Lucky Prints—are using social media and branded merch to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

DS Projects 'Buy This T-shirt'

Late last month, ABC News had the story of Dylan Hattem, founder of DS Projects (the company behind @buythistshirt on Instagram) and others who selling branded merch and marketing it on Instagram to raise money for small businesses and larger relief funds.

Hattem and his company teamed up with ROAR (Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants) to create the branded apparel and items, which include “I f***ing love New York” T-shirts and hats, graphics of a rat on tote bags and T-shirts, and more. As for other promo products, there’s also a “New York City Candle” by Homesick and olive oil available for purchase.  

The Buy This T-shirt Instagram bio also noted that this week, money raised from the brand’s “I F***ing Love New York” capsule collection will be donated to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYVwZNj6Vm/

Leave Philly Alone

This isn’t our first time mentioning Leave Philly Alone. If you’re local to Philly, there’s an even better chance you might have come across their Instagram page. For those who aren't familiar, the company is donating $10 from the sale of each T-shirt to a local small business of your choice. 

From the website: 

ALONE TOGETHER...

A way for Friends, Clients, & Customers to directly support their favorite Philly small businesses impacted by the Covid-19 shut down while we safely shelter-in-place. $10 from each shirt goes directly to the business of your choice.

If you own a small business and would like to  participate (including city-wide organizations that can directly impact our residents in a positive and immediate way), please feel free to submit to: info@leavephillyalone.com

While we can’t be out supporting most of our favorite local businesses (yet) we can still purchase a T-shirt for $25. The shirts are available in plenty of neutral colors as well as red and olive, with simple but clean "Leave Philly Alone" text treatments across the front. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiJfk_jCFX/

Lucky Prints

The Chicago-based screen printer Lucky Prints shared an Instagram post back in March about its “No-Cost Online Fundraising” that directly helps small businesses, run through Printavo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B99oTSDFpJq/

Essentially, small businesses can send in their artwork and logos, and Lucky Prints helps with creating a website and products. The small businesses can promote the merch through their own channels, and every two weeks Lucky Prints prints and fulfills the orders, sending the proceeds to each business. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-IBmJllexs/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaxRDKDn_S/

As of May 20, the program has raised $30,000 to help small businesses in need.