National Women’s Small Business month is here. While equal pay for women is still a bummer—with women making around 80 cents for every dollar paid to a man—the news around female entrepreneur is looking up. Since 1972, women-owned businesses have jumped 3,000%, according to AMEX’s 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses report. In honor of National Women’s Small Business month—and the closing entrepreneurship gender gap—we’re spotlighting some amazing brands run by women. Here’s our pick of 10 brands you can shop right now to support women entrepreneurs, especially women of color and other minority-run businesses.
Ooga Booga began as a tiny shop in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2014. The shop curates a unique selection of art, books, music, and clothing. Oh, and if you’ve ever thought about publishing your own art book, they have a free online database of art book printers.
Here Now Los Angeles is a go-to spot in Eagle Rock, Calif. for vintage clothing and custom clothing. The store also hosts workshops and live performances.
House of Intuition describes itself as a “metaphysical shop dedicated to helping people achieve healing, transformation, empowerment, and personal growth.” (Think: readings, healings, and workshops.) Their online shop also showcases a variety of items like candles, smudge sticks, bells, and tapestries.
If you’ve been looking for some cool fashion pieces to update your wardrobe, Melody Ehsani has got you covered. Her clothing and jewelry collection features streetwear casual staples with unique imprints and a nod to the 90s.
Santa Isla is an independent online boutique featuring handmade jewelry from Colombia. Think: intricate, beaded necklaces and dangling earrings in bright colors and traditional patterns.
Bethany Yellowtail’s clothing designs are inspired by her Native ancestry as part Apsaalooke (Crow), Tsetsehestahese, and So’taeo’o (Northern Cheyenne). Aside from shopping her dresses, skirts and tops, you can also shop a curated selection of items designed by other Native designers in the Yellowtail Collective.
Looking for a way to make your mani a conversation starter? Cha Cha Covers are nail decals featuring pop culture stars like Cardi B and iconic artists like Friday Kahlo.
Colombian designer Carolina Baena’s jewelry designs are a mix of bold, statement-making necklaces, chokers and earrings. The company also has a non-profit component which helps fund local projects.
Gadea Pérez-Andújar handcrafts each of her jewelry pieces for Kisiwa designs. Her style is minimalist, understated, and inspired by ancient jewelry designs.
Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar began Norblack Norwhite after traveling to India to trace their cultural roots. There, the duo became fascinated with traditional, Indian textile designs and dying. Their online clothing shop features a mix of colorful, multi-dyed skirts, dresses, tops and shorts.
Oh, and if you’re looking for even more women-owned small businesses, peep our list of 50 Women-Run Small Businesses.
