Dalbit Paper Garden joined Buy Small to direct more of its purchasing toward independent suppliers instead of defaulting to large catalogues. The Seoul business makes notebooks and desk sets from recycled paper, and it wanted its sourcing choices to support other small makers. The team reviewed regular spending and identified paper, ribbon, and packaging as categories where local independents could meet its quality needs. It now requests quotes from small suppliers first and records the value of each order. During the first six months, 22 percent of supplier spending went to independent businesses, exceeding its initial one-in-five target. One new paper supplier also helped develop a lighter notebook cover that reduced shipping weight by 8 percent. The founders say the pledge gave them a measurable way to turn a general preference into a purchasing habit. They still compare quality and reliability, but make room for smaller vendors to explain what they can offer. Owner Park Min-jun reviews the spending share quarterly and shares the results with staff.
