Supporting women-owned businesses just got a whole lot easier.
Let’s be honest: Women are pretty amazing. From Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Amelia Earhart and Rosa Parks, the list of incredibly powerful and determined women who have helped shape the future of female empowerment is endless. If it weren’t for the women who took a leap of faith throughout history, many of the inspiring women alive today would’ve had an even more challenging time getting to where they are now.
Recently, there have been a lot of amazing female firsts to be appreciative of, too: the first female vice president of the United States, the first female chancellor of Germany, the first woman to head the European Central Bank, and the first female president of the European Commission, to name a few. We’ve come a long way, and it shows. But we still have some work to do, which is why we put together this list of women-owned businesses in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Make sure to support them this month—and every month.
Accessories
CJW
This brand, created by Christina J. Wang, designs everything from pajamas to face masks, but its scarves make for some seriously great conversation pieces. Exhibit A: This Chocoholic Mini scarf. It’s filled with everything chocolate—even chocolate labs, because let’s be honest, puppy prints should be everywhere. CJW also has scarves with designs of beauty products, plants, ice cream, cats, candy, more puppies, noodles, and Netflix movie night necessities. In other words, all the small joys in life turned into a fashion statement.
Gigi Pip
PSA: Fedoras have never gone out of style, and Gigi Pip’s collection is here to prove it—especially with floppy-brimmed styles like this Hannah Floppy Fedora. The brand was founded by Ginger Parrish in 2015 after she decided to turn her hat obsession into a business. That said, whether you’re in the mood to toss on a felt hat, straw hat, baseball cap, or beanie, we can pretty much guarantee there’s something here that will satisfy all of your fashionable hat needs (and complement your face shape, too). Did we mention that hat bands are a thing, too? Oh, and bags to match! Thank us later.
Susan Alexandra
OK, we need to talk about Susan Alexandra’s products and how they’re all handmade out of beads. We’re not just talking jewelry, either. Founded in 2014 by Susan Korn, this female-forward business crafts everything from cardholders and headbands to entire purses out of hundreds of little beads, like this whimsical Watermelon Dream Bag (because who doesn’t need a watermelon purse?). In case that’s not impressive enough, Susan Alexandra also lets customers customize their own jewelry with whatever charms and beads their heart desires. Supporting women-owned businesses is even more fun when you can support creativity at the same time, don’t you think?
Llani
Honestly, you can never have enough accessories, which is why Alana Oates’ brand Llani is such a great company. Seriously, you can find everything here, and it’s all made of high-quality materials, like suede, leather, and genuine shearling. One-of-a-kind handbags? Check. Headbands? Check. Jewelry? Scarves? Adorable handcrafted slippers? Check, check, and check. (Side note: Can we talk about how cute and comfy these super fuzzy Shearling Babouche slippers are?!) Not to mention, all of Llani’s design and production partners are based in India and are either female-founded or family-owned. Please excuse us while our wish lists suddenly become much longer.…
Alison Lou
There’s a reason Alison Chemla’s fine jewelry brand, Alison Lou, has gained so much traction in the editorial and celeb world, and there’s no question that the brand’s success is at least partially due to its jewelry being super trendy and stylish. First of all, Lou has an entire carbs-inspired jewelry collection. No, that’s not a typo. We’re talking penne, shell, and bow tie pasta, pretzels, loaves of bread, and croissants in jewelry form. Plus, the brand carries emoji-inspired pieces, like fire emoji studs and these Girl Power earrings that are perfect for International Women’s Day (or any day, really). Bonus points for the pieces not being more expensive than men’s accessories, unlike these other surprising things that cost more for women.
Celeste Watch Co.
There truly aren’t enough women-owned watch companies in the world, which is why Celeste Watch Co. is such a great business to support. The owner, Celeste Wong, has “been in love with watches and clocks for as long as [she] can remember” and has been wearing watches since she was four years old. In 2008, she decided to take a deep dive into the watch-making world. She purchased hundreds of old watches to deconstruct, organize, and put back together in different ways to create brand-new, utterly unique pieces. Now, her high-quality watches are made up of Swiss quartz, sapphire crystal, handcrafted dials, and vegetable-tanned leather bands, and they’re customizable, like this gorgeous Sailboat Watch.
Beauty and Cosmetics
The Brow Project
Big brows are in—and the fact that The Brow Project’s owner and founder, Nicole Blankenship, is fantastic at what she does explains why she’s “the South’s most sought-after permanent makeup artist.” Within four years, Blankenship accumulated an incredible following, full of celebs, press coverage, and an extensive wait list to see the brow guru. Blankenship and her all-female team are based out of downtown Dallas and offer permanent makeup services, like powder brows and lip tints, and cosmetic injectables, like Botox and dermal fillers.
Dermaflash
Dara Levy, founder and CEO of Dermaflash and self-proclaimed “girl boss,” opened her Med Spa in Chicago with dermaplaning being the basis of every treatment they did. After being in business for five years and performing more than 6,000 Dermaflash treatments, Levy decided to create an at-home, user-friendly sonic dermaplaning treatment in 2016 that could give anyone the benefits of professional dermaplaning at home. Depending on your skin-care needs, Dermaflash offers the Dermaflash Luxe for anti-aging, exfoliation, and peach fuzz removal; the less expensive Dermaflash One, which focuses on exfoliating and peach fuzz removal, sans the anti-aging component; and the Dermapore, which is a pore extractor and serum infuser.
Dr. Gio
Grace Okafor is a Nigeria-born and South Korea–based entrepreneur focused on bridging “the gap between African and Korea” through her Korean beauty brand made for women of color. Okafor’s brand, Dr. Gio, offers an Ultra 7 Brightening Foundation Cushion in seven shades, all of which are packed with collagen, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, SPF 50+, tea tree, niacinamide, vitamin C, and other ingredients that your skin will love. Some more perks? The foundation lasts up to 48 hours, isn’t easily transferable, never looks cakey, and is super lightweight. Check out more of the best Black makeup brands that everyone can use to get gorgeous.
Beautiful Me LLC
After earning an aesthetician license from Vogue Beauty College in Austin, Texas, Tracy Fleming started her own beauty and wellness spa, Beautiful Me LLC, in 2005. Her goal? To use a holistic approach to skin care where everything is taken into account, from her clients’ health history to their stress levels. Since being founded, the company has won several awards for its face and back facials, peels, dermaplaning, extractions, laser hair removal, micro-needling, waxing, brow and lash tints, and other services.
Róen
Despite being founded only a few years ago, Róen has already made a name for itself in the beauty world. The company’s CEO, Tiffany Thurston Scott, has always been fascinated with nature, holistic living, and beauty, but after doing some research on her favorite cosmetic companies, she realized that many of them were made with harmful ingredients. Soon after, Scott started researching how to create clean beauty products because, as her website notes, “health and beauty are not mutually exclusive…you can in fact wear bold and striking makeup without harmful ingredients.” Róen now offers shimmery eye shadows, lip balms, mascara, and brow pencils, all of which are formulated with ethically sourced, non-toxic ingredients.
The Feelist
Entrepreneur Shea Marie isn’t a newbie when it comes to developing successful, women-owned businesses. In fact, before she founded The Feelist in 2020, she was already the owner of Same, a luxury swim and resort-wear line. With millions of fans already following her on social media, it didn’t take long for Marie’s beauty business to take off, as well. The creation of her plant-based, clean beauty line was inspired by her own skin’s intolerance to chemical-laden products. “It really was CBD specifically that made me believe in the power of plant-based wellness and skin care,” she says on her website. The Feelist primarily carries CBD-infused products that are vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly. In case you were wondering, this is the difference between CBD and THC.
Bookstores
Semicolon
Name something more satisfying than walking into a bookstore and getting hit with that freshly printed book smell. You know the one we’re talking about. That’s exactly what you’ll get at Semicolon Bookstore and Gallery in Chicago. This Black-owned bookstore is run by Danielle, who carefully curates each book and piece of merch—like this Semicolon Graffiti Mug—alongside her team of bookkeepers. Bonus points for Danielle’s store putting an emphasis on the city’s street artists and having a gallery space dedicated to their work. Don’t miss these other Black-owned businesses you’ll also want to support.
The Bookworm
Calling all bookworms! This bookstore is perfect for anyone who loves curling up with a good book and escaping from reality while also supporting a totally woman-owned business. An independent bookstore located in Camarillo, California, it carries everything from classics and history to new releases and children’s books. Since it opened its doors in 1973, the quaint shop has been exclusively owned by women. In 2019, its keys were passed to its fourth owner, Julie Moore, who currently runs the store. While you’re there, pick up some books on these pioneering women who changed the world.
Cream & Amber
If you’re looking for a bookstore with a twist, Cream & Amber in Hopkins, Minnesota, is the place. Founded
in 2019 by Kacey Hruby Wyttenhove and Katie Terhune, two college friends who share a love of books and beer, this unique shop combines Minnesota craft beer with new and used books for the ultimate book-shopping experience. Did we mention that Cream & Amber is a coffee shop that sells food, too? Yep, you can visit in the morning for some java, or in the afternoon for a craft beer, all while browsing for a new story to dive into.
Moe’s Books
If you’re ever in Berkeley, California, Moe’s Books should definitely be on your radar. The bookstore was founded in 1959 by the current owner’s late father, Moe Moskowitz. Since his passing in 1997, his daughter, Doris, has been running the shop. But even if you’re not in sunny California, you can still browse Moe’s collection of books and order online. If you’re into podcasts, they’ve got some of those, too. Telegraph Babylon discusses the “weird and wonderful world of bookselling,” while Moe’s Basement Series consists of more than a decade of recorded readings from the bookstore. If you love shopping local, check out the most beloved indie bookstore in every state.
Marissa’s Books
A shop with a charming story, Marissa’s Books feels like a hybrid of a full-service bookstore and an antique shop. Cindy Dumas was inspired to open her first bookstore after visiting another bookstore with her five-year-old granddaughter, Marissa, who was enamored by all the books. As Dumas’ business grew, she and her family had to relocate to a larger space to accommodate all of their new clients’ reading needs. The bookstore is now located in Salt Lake City and houses thousands of books, gifts, games, and more. Not in the Utah area? Don’t worry: Browsing the site is a breeze.
Clothing
Carve Designs
The story of Carve Designs starts out with two surf-loving friends and a shared frustration over how difficult it was to find board shorts. More specifically, board shorts that could “keep up with [them]—real women with real bodies and a real passion for adventure.” Fast-forward to 2003, when the duo, Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester, opened their first surf apparel shop. Since then, the brand has grown to include everything from swimwear to dresses and fashionable accessories. Speaking of which, can we take a moment to appreciate this adorable Adele Dress? It’s made with 100 percent organic, non-GMO, pesticide-free cotton, and you might want to pick up two because it makes a great eco-friendly gift.
Awoke Vintage
Awoke Vintage hasn’t always been a successful vintage shop based in Brooklyn, New York. In fact, it started out as a small market stall in Australia. It wasn’t until about five years later that the founder, Liz Power, opened her first NYC location. Since then, Awoke Vintage has become a hot spot for vintage finds—from flowing dresses and summery blouses to chic accessories and lots of denim. If you can’t make it to Brooklyn, the site offers free shipping on all orders within the United States.
AYR
If you haven’t already heard of AYR (pronounced “air”), let us introduce you to the New York City-based womenswear brand that’s been making headlines since 2014. AYR, which stands for All Year Round, was founded by three friends, Maggie Winter, Jac Cameron, and Max Bonbrest. They set out to create a brand with clothing that emphasized comfort and confidence throughout every season. AYR’s best-sellers are a toss-up between their button-down shirts and jeans, but you can feel confident in knowing that each article of clothing is high-quality and comfortable. That said, we’ll just leave this link to “the coziest sweater of all time” right here. No pressure.
Symbology
Symbology was created with female empowerment in mind. Its founder, Marissa Heyl, wanted to shed a light on how fair trade empowers craftswomen. After a research trip to India, Heyl was inspired to incorporate traditional art techniques into fashion. Since then, the brand and its unique prints have gained some serious traction. Whether you’re looking for a wedding dress, maternity wear, suits, jackets, or whatever else, chances are you’ll find it here. And the fact that the company is all about empowering women makes it even better. That said, there’s never a wrong time to shop for dresses, especially when they’re as cute as this Black & White Hibiscus Flower Maxi. Go ahead—you dese
rve it.
WildFang
The founders of WildFang pride themselves on creating a female-founded and women-run brand. “A woman has the right to wear whatever the h— they want and be whoever the h— they want,” the site says. Some of its best sellers? The “Wild Feminist” collection, unisex suits, menswear-tailored button-ups, and super soft workwear. Oh, and FYI, the days of not having pockets are over. Don’t mind us as we buy this eight-pocket (!!!) Essential Coverall in every color. This is a judgment-free zone, guys.
Thunderpants USA
The original Thunderpants brand was created in New Zealand in 1995. But the story of Thunderpants USA didn’t start until ten years later when an American woman named Celeste tried out her first pair and became obsessed. In 2008, Celeste opened a boutique in Portland, Oregon, called Radish Underground, which is where she started selling Thunderpants products so Americans could enjoy the comfy goodness, too. In 2016, Celeste licensed the NZ brand and officially founded Thunderpants USA. In case super comfortable undergarments aren’t appealing enough on their own, Thunderpants’ designs are what makes the brand really stand out. For proof, check out this bralette covered in sloths. We know, pretty great, right?
Food and Beverages
The Granola Bar
With zero prior restaurant experience, Dana Noorily and Julie Mountain opened The Granola Bar in Westport, Connecticut, in 2013, and what started out as a granola company ended up being so much more. The duo refers to their women-founded business as a “modern diner…at the intersection of healthy and indulgent.” The Granola Bar now has five locations throughout Connecticut and New York, all of which have a different charm and vibe to them than the others but still serve up the same delicious eats. Some must-tries? The Turkish Latte (an irresistible combo of vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, espresso, and milk) and their famous avocado toast.
Marvel Cake
This Campbell, California-based boutique bakery has crafted desserts and pastries for some pretty big names, including Google and PayPal—so, as you could probably guess, its baked goods are *chef’s kiss* magnifique. Maryam Menbari created Marvel Cake in 2009 and opened her French patisserie in early 2020. The company has taken on pastry chefs with degrees from some of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world. If you’re in the Silicon Valley area and are wondering how to navigate all of Marvel Cake’s goods, trying a Choux a la Creme is a fantastic place to start. Trust us on this.
The Cupcake Bar
So, this place is called The Cupcake Bar. Need we say more? We will anyway. Lori Schneider, the “Chief Cupcake Officer” of the company, launched the bakery in Austin, Texas, in 2007. The other members of her three-woman team? Kimberly Carrillo, Director of Event Operations, and Janie Mote, who touts the loving title of “Janie of All Trades.” It might be called The Cupcake Bar, but this women-run business sells more than just cupcakes. You’ll find Doughnut Bars, Roaming Treat Bars, Caramel Apple Bars, and more at the events that they host. The best part? Everything is customizable.
Little Drunken Chef
Founded in 2015 by Bonnie Saran, Little Drunken Chef is a tapas bar, casual eatery, and oyster bar all in one. Self-described as “the eccentric lovechild of all things delicious, from all places exotic,” it’s the go-to spot to satisfy almost any of your food cravings. In the mood for tacos and empanadas? They’ve got it. Wings and burgers? Sure! Ravioli and chicken bolognese? Definitely. Plus, their oyster bar is filled with shellfish sourced from both the East and West Coasts. There are currently two locations in Mount Kisco and White Plains, New York.
Laney & Lu
Nestled away in Exeter, New Hampshire, Laney & Lu was founded by Jennifer Desrosiers in 2015 and has been abiding by the motto “Eat consciously, live vibrantly” ever since. The restaurant’s dedication to exclusively sourcing from local, organic farms and merchants makes it especially notable. In other words, you won’t find any antibiotics, hormones, or irradiated ingredients in any of its foods or drinks—just pure, healthy goodness. Desrosiers works alongside Stef Heitz, Chief Creative Officer, to serve up delicious smoothies, wellness elixirs, “transformational lattes,” sandwiches, salads, and other locally sourced eats. In the area? Bump the Superfood Mushroom latte to the top of your must-try coffee list. It sounds weird, we know, but mushroom coffee is actually delicious and good for you, too.
Hair Care
Yelani
If you have curly locks and are looking for a totally chemical-free hair care line, please give a warm welcome to Yelani. You won’t find any carcinogens, silicone, sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, or other chemicals in Yetunde Jude’s products. With more than 20 years of hair care experience under her belt, she combined her knowledge and admiration for natural products to create a product line exclusively for curly hair. A good starting place if you want to put Yelani’s products to the test? This Trial Hair Product Kit, which comes with a conditioning shampoo, clarifying shampoo, hot oil treatment, and leave-in conditioning spray.
NuMe
NuMe’s founder, Sabrina Maren, hasn’t always had gorgeous, frizz-free hair. In fact, she started NuMe in 2009 because she was tired of struggling to style her unruly locks every day. Now, the NuMe hair product line carries high-quality straighteners, curling wands, dryers, accessories, and other hair care products that will leave your hair silky smooth. Regardless of what kind of look you’re going for, there’s probably a NuMe product for that. Take this all-in-one Lustrum Bundle, for instance. It includes a curling wand and five interchangeable 100 percent tourmaline ceramic barrels, as well as a heat-resistant styling glove, paddle brush, styling mat, and travel case. What else could you need?
Captain Blankenship
Having grown up spending her summers by Maine’s ocean tides and dense forests, Jana Blankenship was inspired to start Captain Blankenship out of admiration for nature’s healing qualities. “Cold-pressed organic plant oils, flowers, seaweeds, sea salt, and organic essential oils bring us back to the primary experience with the land and sea,” her site reads. The New York-based, women-run beauty company offers body, skin, and hair products that are all plant-based and made with organic ingredients, like this Sea Shine Shampoo and Conditioner bundle. The bottles are even made with ocean-bound plastic, so you can feel confident that you’ll be benefiting your hair and the environment. If you love this idea, you should also check out these brilliant products made from recycled ocean plastics.
Taliah Waajid
Taliah Waajid created not one but five hair product lines: Natural Hair Care, Protective Styling, Curly Hair, Children’s Hair Care, and Uncle Jimmy products for men. Her female-forward business is based out of Atlanta, with the brand keeping “curly, coily, kinky, and wavy hair textures” in mind while crafting products to help maintain those luscious locks with naturally moisturizing, conditioning, and cleansing agents. One of Waajid’s top-rated products on Amazon is her Black Earth Products Tight Hold, which helps keep frizz in check while defining those gorgeous natural curls, sans any flaking.
Crave Naturals
Trying to brush through your unruly, knotted hair in the morning is the last thing you probably feel like doing, especially if you’re running a little late. Enter: Crave Naturals, a woman-founded hairbrush company that puts an emphasis on actually enjoying brushing your hair—and not damaging it in the process. Kristen Heaton founded the company “after feeling unsatisfied with what seemed like every brush on the market that would pull, hurt, or even break [her] hair.” Crave Natural’s best seller? The O.G. Glide Thru Detangler. With tens of thousands of rave reviews on Amazon, this brush is perfect for any type of hair and will glide right through it. Tangles? Never heard of her.
Health and Wellness
Omstars
Let’s start with the fact that Omstars describes itself as “Netflix for Yoga.” We know, sounds pretty great, right? Now, throw 3,000-plus on-demand classes and 300-plus courses into there—all of which are available whenever you need them to be. Or maybe you prefer to work with an instructor, and if that’s the case, there are live and interactive Zoom video chats you could join, too. Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a tried-and-true yoga enthusiast, like Omstars’ founder, Kino MacGregor, the world’s first yoga TV network definitely has something for you. (Not sure if yoga is for you? Here are some signs your body and mind are begging you to practice it.)
Relaxation for Body and Mind
With more than 30 years of experience, Barbara Miller is no stranger to the world of massage. After graduating from Jin Shin Ryoho Acupressure and Massage School in Santa Monica, California, in 1988, Miller moved across the country to suburban Connecticut and started her own one-woman massage business, Relaxation for Mind and Body, in 2003. Swedish massage is Miller’s base, along with acupressure and trigger-point therapy, and she personalizes each of her clients’ massage experiences to meet their individual needs.
Body & Sole Wellness Spa
When was the last time you got a professional foot massage and treatment? And no, we’re not talking about the one you sometimes get with a pedicure. Dawn Durocher, a licensed nail technician and certified master pedicurist of almost 20 years, owns New Hampshire–based Body & Sole Wellness Spa, which puts an emphasis on the importance of foot care. Durocher uses her background in diabetic/geriatric foot care and works alongside a podiatrist to determine the best foot treatments for each individual. Of course, you don’t need to have any health-related concerns to book a treatment and give your feet some good ol’ TLC.
Ritual
Simplicity, cleanliness, and science is the name of the game at Ritual. Founded by Katerina Schneider, Ritual created a daily multivitamin for women called Essential for Women that has zero filler ingredients and is totally transparent about what goes into each supplement. In addition to 18 multivitamins, Ritual has 50-plus prenatal and postnatal supplements for women, as well as vitamins for men and children. Oh, and the COO, VP, and SVP are all women, too—you know, in case you needed more of a reason to try out these awesome, female-forward multivitamins.
The Power of Elderberries
When Jessica Lowery suffered a terrible flu episode, she was desperate to find the most effective natural alternative to help relieve her symptoms. That’s when elderberries first made their way onto her radar. “I started making my own elderberry syrup because I wanted control over ingredient quality, safety, and taste,” she says on her website. “And from this, the Power of Elderberries was founded…unexpectedly.” Since then, the woman-founded company has moved its products into wellness stores around South Carolina and also offers nationwide shipping. The Power of Elderberries can be consumed in either syrup or gummy form. (You’ll also find candles, hats, PopSockets, totes, and other goodies on the website.)
Home, Gardens, and Decor
54kibo
After hosting a Ghanaian naming ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, Nana Quagraine was inspired to share the beauty of her African culture with the world through the lens of interior design—and so, 54kibo was born. The contemporary African interior design business took off in 2018, selling one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture and decor accents, all crafted in South Africa. Curated with totally sustainable and 99 percent handmade products, 54kibo places an emphasis on the importance of spotlighting traditional African artistry techniques, like weaving, beading, and woodwork. One of Quagraine’s favorites? This Woven Mirror, which will elevate your decor instantly.
Drea’ Custom Designs
Located in New Orleans and founded by Andrea Julien, Drea’ Custom Designs specializes in custom window treatments, with each detail hand-picked and crafted to meet whatever design you’re envisioning. Drea’ does everything from solar shades and plantation shutters to wood blinds and sliding panels. Bonus points for them making it work for almost any budget and still delivering the highest quality of window treatments! Did we mention they even sell
designer pillowcases? And in case anyone’s wondering, this Chiang Mai Black Throw Pillow is on our wish list.
Goodies LA
Where do we start with Goodies? Its collection of ceramic, marble, and wooden kitchen “goodies” are perfect for just about anything—and everything is super affordable. The mastermind behind the simple yet chic products is Rhea Carlisle. In her first-ever on-screen interview with LawFlip in July 2020, Carlisle explains that despite establishing a successful business, she’s never been one for the limelight and wants to humbly redirect the attention to her products and team rather than herself. With that in mind, let’s talk about these gorgeous marble coasters. You get a set of six with a case for just $25, and they’re pretty much guaranteed to look great anywhere.
MoonBeam Gardens
Contrary to its name, MoonBeam Gardens is so much more than just a gardening business. The Connecticut-based, NOFA-certified company was founded by Bonnie Sassano-Troy in 2000 with the goal of “[helping] people attain a more organic and sustainable lifestyle.” Having grown up in suburban New England, Sassano-Troy was all too familiar with the amount of work necessary to maintain a home and yard throughout four seasons. So, as her gardening business took off, she started offering more services, including fall and spring cleanups, custom landscape design and maintenance, building raised garden beds, masonry work, and, perhaps most notably, beehive installations.
Sable Candle Co.
When Courtney Jones started her candle company, Sable Candle Co., in 2016, she expected it to be a small side business, but it didn’t take long for people to start spreading the word about it. Now, the Michigan-based candle company ships out its candles nationwide, exclusively using ethically sourced, premium ingredients to craft each hand-poured soy candle. Totally vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and petroleum-free, these candles offer hours of natural fragrance without emitting toxins or harming the environment. Each candle’s fragrance is uniquely its own, like this Juniper + Rose Black Jar Candle that touts notes of juniper, berries, rose, and water lily.
Lula’s Garden
If you’re looking for something lively to spruce up your home, look no further than Lula’s Garden. Founder Liraz Birnbaum started her company after she spent more than a year creating a planter–gift box hybrid. Evidently, her creation was a success, and she now ships out the locally sourced succulents and memorable gift boxes all around the country. Just remove the top of the gift box—and voilà! Adorable, ready-to-go succulents. No need to replant or find a vase. Lula’s Garden offers Petite Gardens, Original Gardens, Deluxe Gardens, and Premium Gardens (only offered in the L.A. area). Our favorite? This adorable Verdant Garden, which houses three medium-sized succulents. Bonus: Succulents are houseplants anyone can grow. (Really, anyone!)
Corey Paige Designs is all about unique, hand-drawn designs and whimsical art based on popular themes including fashion, travel destinations, teen activities, college spirit and more. Corey Paige’s expressive style combines bright, colorful imagery, icons, patterns, and words. You’ll find them on a range of products from clothing and accessories to home decor, stationery, gifts, and more. Most recently, she teamed up with Happi Crafts to launch a Happi Vibes coaster set, to celebrate Women’s history month and support other female founders. Corey also creates custom commissioned art, perfect for the woman who’s impossible to shop for.
Pet Care
SquishFace
Before anything, can we acknowledge how cute the name “SquishFace” is? Yes? Great. OK, moving on. In case you didn’t know, those folds that some dogs have (yes, we’re looking at you, bulldogs and pugs) can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can ultimately lead to infections and other complications. Enter: SquishFace Wrinkle Paste and Wrinkle Wipes. Say goodbye to trapped dirt and germs, tear stains, and tail pockets, because these plant-based products work like magic—and it’s all thanks to the brand’s female founder, Tiffany Burris. Trust us: This will become one of the pet products you can’t live without.
PetCakes
In 2009, Melinda (the CEO of Lucky Paws and creator of PetCakes & YumYum Bones) adopted Ciao Bella, a deaf Jack Russell and Italian Greyhound mix. Soon after, she started developing healthy cakes and ice cream for pets made of human-grade ingredients—because let’s be honest, our pets deserve birthday cakes, too. The all-natural treats are super easy and quick to make and require no additional ingredients. Whether your furry friend is a fan of pizza, pumpkin spice, carob, cheese, or another flavor, there’s a good chance PetCakes will have something that’s pretty much guaranteed to be pet-approved.
Petique
We want the best for our fur babies, which is why nontoxic and sustainable toys and supplies are super important to helping our pets live healthy lives. That said, please give a warm welcome to Petique, a women-owned business that’s been developing eco-friendly and nontoxic products for more than 30 years (think: pet beds, toothbrushes, strollers, etc.). The idea started with Petique’s owner, Kathy Tsai. “What sets [Petique] apart from others are our stylish yet environmentally friendly products that are completely safe for animals and humans,” Tsai told VoyageLA. She’s not wrong about her products being stylish—just look at this Lux Pet Carrier.
Pomchies
Pomchies’ story has an unusual beginning—in a swimwear factory. Heather Logan, the founder of Pomchies, used to sell children’s swimwear in Australia when her factory started looking for ways to use leftover scraps of fabric. And so, the idea for Pomchies was born. While the company still sells stylish scrunchies and headbands for humans, it also offers products to a canine clientele with its PomPooch line. Snag a cute leash pom or a dapper bow tie and your pup will be the most stylish on the block.
TruDog
After TruDog founder Lori R. Taylor’s beloved fur baby, Truman, was diagnosed with a terminal illness at a young age, she set out on a mission to try to make sure that kind of heartbreak didn’t happen to anyone else. Taylor turned to the food she was feeding her pup—and realized it was filled with processed scraps that were anything but human-grade. Taylor’s determination to create a healthy pet food brand led her to create TruDog by TruPet. The brand offers “nourishing freeze-dried raw dog food, dog food toppers, supplements, and a wide variety of limited-ingredient—oftentimes only one ingredient—treats,” like this Crunchy Munchy Beef Bonanza Dog Food. Here’s more on finding the very best diet for your dog.
KeriCure
Putting a Band-Aid on your pets’ cuts and scratches isn’t exactly an easy (or realistic) task, which is why KeriCure came up with an all-natural solution to keep your pets safe from infections: nontoxic liquid spray-on bandages. The mild formula is totally safe for dogs, cats, and small animals, even if licked. KeriCure also offers a spray and an antimicrobial silver barrier for horses, livestock, and large animals to reduce inflammation and bacteria. KeriCure didn’t start out as an animal product company, though. In fact, the founder, organic chemist Kerriann Greenhalgh, initially started the business after being frustrated with the inadequate over-the-counter wound care available for humans. Next, check out the mom-invented p
roducts that are pure genius.