Avacraft, a kitchen cookware company born here in Plano, was selected as one of 66 small businesses across the nation in the gift guide.
As shoppers prepare for Small Business Saturday, one Plano-based company is getting national attention for its role in the holiday retail season.
The Connected Commerce Council (3C) has released its annual Small Business Holiday Gift Guide, highlighting products and services from entrepreneurs across 30 states. The curated list is designed to give small businesses an important year-end boost during a season many depend on to offset rising costs and fluctuating consumer spending.
Among this year’s featured brands is Avacraft, a Plano cookware startup that has steadily gained momentum in a traditionally slow-to-change industry. Founded by wife-and-husband team Asha and Jinesh Thakur, Avacraft built its reputation by responding directly to customer feedback and addressing common frustrations in the cookware market.
Avacraft’s stainless-steel mixing bowls, nonstick pans and everyday cookware have earned a loyal national following, especially among home cooks seeking long-lasting alternatives to mass-produced products. Their growth has been fueled by online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer sales, helping the startup expand its reach without relying on traditional retail distribution channels.
This year’s 3C Holiday Gift Guide includes dozens of small businesses offering items ranging from affirmation journals to shippable ice cream pints and regional specialties like Louisiana seafood. The guide aims to make it easier for shoppers to discover independent brands while supporting entrepreneurs who continue to navigate economic challenges.
“Small businesses have faced — and overcome — serious challenges this year,” said Rob Retzlaff, 3C executive director, in the announcement. He said the organization hopes the guide will help small businesses start the new year strong.
Small Business Saturday, created in 2010, has grown into a major shopping event, generating more than $200 billion in sales since its inception.
Our gift guide also features small businesses, all of them located in Plano. Check it out here.