‘Tis the season to start shopping small businesses for holiday gifts!
I was thinking about ways to support small businesses this holiday season, especially with the pandemic leaving many small companies struggling. As a small business owner myself I love supporting others, especially women-owned small businesses.
Now more than ever it’s important to shop small and support your local businesses.
So I have compiled this gorgeous list of small, sustainable, woman-owned businesses that are some of my faves and could really use your support during this holiday season of gift giving.
So without further ado, let’s get right into it.
Savor Beauty
Angela Jia-Kim was inspired by Korean skincare rituals to create cruelty-free, natural skincare products that are crafted by women out of New York. Each product is handcrafted in small batches using organic ingredients and they smell delicious! I love the cherry collagen peel and the manuka honey mask.
Make sure to check out their Holiday Gift Shop! They have an exclusive sale going on for some of their more expensive sets, as well as sets that are under $50 so no matter your budget you can find the perfect gift!
Glim and Glow
Tinika Green, owner of Glim and 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. They use recycled glassware when possible. Their products are perfect for enhancing your surroundings, setting the tone, and elevating your experience!
Clever Girl Finance
Bola Sokunbi’s Clever Girl Finance is a mission-driven financial empowerment platform aimed at providing women with the right products and services as well as financial guidance. Their resources are completely free and include personal finance courses, one-on-one mentor calls, articles, audio content, an incredibly supportive community, and more.
This is a great gift for young women just starting to learn about finances!
In addition to their free courses, they also sell these adorable hoodies and fabulous books that make for the perfect holiday gift!
The Silver Sculptor
Jo Simmons of the Silver Sculptor is committed to sourcing materials from ethical and environmentally responsible companies. She uses metals that are recycled and place importance in understanding where the gemstones they use come from, to ensure that those involved are compensated fairly for their labor and that they are environmentally mined or created in a lab.
Their jewelry is bold, contemporary, and elegant. Here are some of my favorites:
Bolé Road Textiles
Designed in New York and handwoven in Hana Getachew’s homeland, Ethiopia, Bolé Road marries ancient weaving traditions, passed down through the generations to today’s master local artisans, with a modern global aesthetic. All of their products are ethically sourced and lovingly crafted. Check out her Instagram account to see her beautiful products in her home.
Storehouse Tea
Since 2007, Storehouse Tea Company has been sourcing, blending and distributing some of the finest organic, Fair-Trade loose leaf teas available anywhere. They offer clean, fresh, high quality loose-leaf teas that are not only full of flavor, but also accessible to the American palate and priced for everyday enjoyment. Their teas are SO delicious and flavorful!
Make sure to check out their gift section for sets, mugs, pots, and beautiful teas!
Cause Roast
Cause Roast is a social good company that roasts specialty grade coffee and sells it online, enabling you to impact the world by giving proceeds from your purchase to a cause you choose.
Take a peek at some of their blends:
Bixby & Co.
I met Kate McAleer at the Tory Burch Summit and fell in love with her chocolate! Bixby & Co. is an organic chocolatier and chocolate-maker based in Rockland, Maine. They make bon bons, truffles, toffee, and even lobster-shaped chocolates! I loooove their Bixby bars, try the white chocolate pistachio!
Are you vegan? Well they have options for you as well!
Make sure to check out their gift guide for a fabulous selection.
Ojai Wild
Jann Sheehan of Ojai Wild produces body oils and colognes. Their hand-gathered materials are ethically sourced from trees, shrubs and fields grown on established estates and ranches all around California. These raw materials are then extracted and poured into glass containers. Each cologne is composed of the raw botanical extract married with a harmonious blend of essential oils and absolutes—some of which are aged up to 35 years.
Make sure you check out their sample sizes so you can try it before you invest in a whole bottle. They make great stocking stuffers! ;)
May Lindstrom
GAH! This may be some of the most decadent things you ever buy for your skin, and they are worth it. May Lindstrom produces skincare products and accessories that are perfect to incorporate into your self-care routine. Their collection is handcrafted using only the finest exotic and nutrient-rich ingredients that are organic, bio-dynamic, wild-crafted, cruelty free, sustainable, and/or harvested with social consciousness in mind. These ingredients are not tested on animals, nor are their finished products.
Zou Xou Shoes
Zou Xou shoes are gorgeous, decadent and I actually own 2 pairs. Katherine Theobalds designs are so chic and each pair 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. Also? Leopard print. That’s all I’m sayin’.
Tracey Tanner
OMG GLITTER!!! Tracey Tanner has been putting her unique spin on small leather goods for over a decade. With an emphasis on the highest quality leathers, detailed construction, and simple design, She creates needful pieces that are at once functional and beautiful.
From basic neutrals to show stopping and vibrant finishes, Tracey’s collection has something for everyone. A dizzying array of specialty leathers are carefully selected from the world’s most time honored tanneries and a consistent flow of new offerings every season creates an ever-changing collection that excites the utilitarian and collector alike. Her pouches keep my backpack in order.
Ivy’s Tea
Shanae Jones owns Ivy's Tea Co. -- a pop culture and Hip-Hop inspired holistic health brand. They have herbal tea and herb-infused sweeteners for the culture. They believe that adulting is easier when you're in your best condition - that starts with getting the nutrients your body needs to perform well.
They’ve partnered with Buy from a Black Woman to present this special collection of Trap China to celebrate Black Women, entrepreneurship, allyship, and Buy from a Black Woman, the non-profit organization that invests in Black Woman owned businesses. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the cups will go directly to Buy from a Black Woman to help the organization continue its work of empowering Black Women. Make sure to check them out!
Ivory Cotton Bar
Taneal is the mastermind behind Ivory Cotton Bar. They produce luxury cotton candies using only the finest certified sugars, natural flavoring, fresh toppings, and real fruit to handcraft all of their flavors. Mmm it’s the perfect solution for what to buy someone with a sweet tooth!
The Ivory Cotton Bar is Nashville's first organic cotton candy stop with over 60 flavors and 20 signature combinations like our peach cobbler aka the Johnnie Mae, Cookies 'n' Creme, Blueberry Pecan Cheesecake, Caramel Cake aka The Louise, Tennessee Whiskey, Red Velvet, Banana Pudding and Sweet Tea flavors.
Trade Street Jam Company
Ashley Rouse, owner of Trade St. Jam Co. is a chef, woman and minority-owned and certified business that started in a tiny apartment in North Carolina on Trade Street. Her passion for all things food grew into something more: a company built on the foundation of culinary innovation.
They teach jam classes to kids at underprivileged schools and aspire to use residual jams to feed the less fortunate, two efforts that are near and dear to the owner’s heart. The plum & rose jam is sooo good on buttered toast.
Encircled
Encircled makes thoughtfully-designed, versatile capsule wardrobe essentials. Owner Kristi Soomer believes that less is more when it comes to your closet and that how and who made your clothing matters. Her clothing is 100% produced in Canada and is ethically-made, sustainable, and sweatshop free.
They have two key design intentions: modern-basics which are well-loved, timeless silhouettes upgraded with superior fit, high-quality construction details and sustainable fabrics, and then versatile multi-way clothing that will transform your wardrobe, literally. They change form and effortlessly convert into various silhouettes, giving your closet more possibilities, with less. It’s so perfect for chic comfort!
And last but not least…
Metalicious
For the uninitiated, I only work with recycled metals and ethically-sourced gemstones to ensure my jewelry is ethical and sustainable. We offer unique, spirited jewelry that's both artfully made and aligned with your values. Every single Metalicious jewel is lovingly handcrafted, one piece at a time, in NYC.
Looking for a Metalicious piece for the holidays? Check out my latest Goddess Collection for stunning statement pieces, or my Gift Guide That Gives Back, where 30% of the profits are donated to City Harvest!
Here are some of my favorite pieces from my Goddess Collection to get you started:
Hope you loved this gift guide with heart! I love championing brands I believe in, who support the same standards and ethics as I do.
Let me know what you choose for your special people!
