I love to buy from small businesses and help lift other artisans, but I especially love supporting black-owned businesses and when they're run by women they score all the points with me!
Here are a small selection of our favorite black-owned businesses:
Effie's Paper Stationery and Whatnot
This is my go-to place for women empowerment gifts for myself, my friends, my nieces, my team! Plus my pal Kalyn Johnson Chandler is the CEO and I love to support my friends' businesses. :-)
At Effie's Paper, we believe that from the door to her desk, a woman should be surrounded by pretty things that make her heart leap! Our products are a unique mix of casual elegance, motivation and social conversation that make using them fun and engaging. Although named after Kalyn’s grandmother, Effie’s Paper::Stationery&Whatnot is not your grandmother’s lifestyle brand!
Glim + Glow
Tinika Green, owner of Glim + Glow, produces scented candles and reed diffusers made from renewable American Soy Wax, premium, phthalate-free perfume and essential oils and lead-free, all cotton wicks. She uses recycled glassware when possible. Their products are perfect for enhancing your surroundings, setting the tone, and elevating your experience!
Hobo Bags
Who doesn't love a good mother-daughter duo? This family-operated handbag brand was launched in 1991 by Toni Ray and her daughter Koren with the purpose of bringing authentic leather goods to the world that are made to last.
Bolé Road Textiles
New York based designer Hana Getachew started Bolé Road Textiles out of a desire to merge her love of Ethiopian handwoven fabrics with her career in interior design.
During her eleven years at a major New York City architecture firm Hana realized her affinity for vibrant colors and graphic patterns was a direct result of her upbringing in a home filled with amazing traditional Ethiopian textiles. Her designs for Bolé Road are an homage to that cultural inheritance and a reflection of her own personal global modern aesthetic.
I love her pillows in fun, geometric prints!
Zou Xou Shoes
Katherine of Zou Xou Shoes is dedicated to what's called "slow fashion." This means each pair of her shoes is handcrafted by Argentinian shoemakers using age old techniques and premium leathers. Produced in small quantities, the shoes are made to last and reduce waste and energy as part of responsible manufacturing practices in the slow fashion movement.
144 Collection
144 Collection began as a simple hobby for Lesia Griffin after taking sewing lessons. Lesia found that she loved creating patterns and designing handmade handbags. She creates handmade handbags, purses, wristlets, makeup bags, clutches, coin purses and baby gifts that are high quality. Each accessory is unique whether it is her choice of fabric or design. She loves color and retro prints.
The Winsome Apothecary
Courtney created The Winsome Apothecary after helping others to cure their ails. She would grab ingredients and whip up a quick oil for folks to use on their dry skin to heal it or run to the fruit stand and bag up herbs and fruits to boil in a tea. When making her products she does so when her energy is high, positive, and in a loving space so that it transfers. Everything she makes is to help you feel good. Your rejuvenation and wellbeing is her top priority.
