The owner of a small cookie shop in New York is standing up against influencers who expect free products in exchange for promotion. David Maffei, the owner of Halfsies Cookie Company, recently shared a conversation he had with a bride-to-be who wanted free cookies for her bridesmaid bags in exchange for promotion on social media.
The bride-to-be, Ana Montealgre, described herself as an influencer and requested a collaboration with the cookie company. However, after reviewing her profile and seeing her small following, Maffei declined the offer, stating, “Sorry, you’re not an influencer.”
Maffei has been vocal about the issue of influencers expecting free products from small businesses and has shared his interactions on social media to raise awareness. He emphasized that his cookie shop is a small family business with limited resources and cannot afford to give away products for free.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Maffei explained, “In this economy, we are all trying to stay alive. We have to be very intentional with who we send promotional mailings to — whether it be a charitable cause or legitimate influencer.”
The incident has sparked a debate among social media users, with some supporting Maffei’s decision to protect his business and others questioning the entitlement of influencers expecting freebies. Despite the controversy, Maffei clarified that he is not against influencer marketing but is against opportunistic individuals taking advantage of small businesses.
As the story continues to gain attention online, Maffei remains firm in his stance and hopes to shed light on the challenges that small businesses face when dealing with influencers seeking free products. He encourages other small business owners to be cautious and deliberate in their promotional efforts to avoid being taken advantage of.
Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting local businesses and being mindful of the impact of influencer culture on small, independent shops. Maffei’s actions highlight the need for transparency and fair business practices in the age of social media marketing.