9 Small Businesses Owned by Women of Color
Hi, everyone. I hope you are safe and well. This past week was dedicated to Black Lives Matter and the life of George Floyd. I wanted to amplify their voices and share as many resources to helping the movement as much as possible. Moving forward, I will continue to sign petitions, support the movement, and educate others on the inequality of colored people.
I’m Mexican-American, so supporting those of color has always been a priority to me. I will never understand the hatred and racism that happens every single day towards Black and Brown people. I’ll always spread love, awareness and support to those of color and the communities.
Today, I specifically wanted to share 9 amazing small businesses owned by women of color. From clothes, skincare and beauty these are all brands started and owned by Black and Latinx women. I’ve recently read stories from people of color who didn’t want to show their faces in connection with their brand because they were afraid no one would buy from them.
I would never judge someone’s brand or business based on their race or color of their skin and neither should others. Businesses owned by people of color should be celebrated and supported.
Furthermore, intersectionality has always been very important to me, so I wanted to showcase businesses owned by women. I will be sharing their websites, Instagram accounts, what they sell, and the business owners themselves.
Due to the pandemic, small businesses were financially affected the most so please show them some love!
Support small businesses, support Black and Brown businesses, and support women!
Small Businesses Owned by Women of Color
1. Starlow
Starlow is a fashion clothing store owned by Founder and CEO Valerie Estrella. She curates and designs each clothing launch to perfection (very aesthetically pleasing). If you love neutrals then you’ll love Starlow. It’s a “California Girl” style with a chic twist. They have everything from tops and dresses to accessories and Starlow exclusives. Valerie is also a social media influencer who models all of the pieces!
2. Viva La Bonita
A women’s lifestyle and apparel brand owned by L.A. native Rachel Gomez. Viva La Bonita is a brand created for all the women who are fearless and features products inspired by the Latina community. It’s a brand centered around empowering Latinas and catering to their lifestyle. They sell t-shirts, mugs (one says “I cry as hard as I work”), posters, hats and more.
3. Golde
A superfood and beauty brand co-founded by CEO Trinity Mouzon Wofford. It’s a wellness brand that keeps everybody in mind. An independent, Brooklyn-born brand that prioritizes health and beauty. Their most popular products are Pure Matcha sourced and grown in Uji, Japan, and a Clean Greens Face Mask that detoxes, clears, and soothes sensitive skin made from 100% pure, edible superfoods.
4. Wasi Clothing
A sustainable, ethical clothing brand designed and owned by Vanessa Acosta, a Bolivian-American. The textiles she uses are sourced from South America and handmade from scratch (clothes & artwork) by Vanessa in her studio in Los Angeles, California. This Latinx owned business was created for every size, color, ethnicity and gender. From apparel and accessories to amazing artwork, culture is apart of every piece.
5. Retro Rhapsody
A gorgeous collection of timeless vintage pieces. From a victorian inspired vintage mesh blouse and statement pearls earrings to vintage Italian leather lace-up shoes, @smallneeds finds it all. She’s in love with the hunt and showcases her treasures in such a beautiful way you can’t help but to want it all. She finds the most unique vintage clothing pieces I’ve ever seen!
6. Shop Jitana
If you love Boho home decor, then you’ll love Shop Jitana. It includes decor such as stunning macrame, plant hangers, baskets, unique chandeliers, and more! It’s the Boho interior design of your dreams. The shop is curated by Denise – @thejitana. She named the shop Jitana, gypsy in Spanish, because of her free-spirited lifestyle.
7. Briogeo
Haircare products that are clean, 100% cruelty-free, with no harsh sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, DEA, or artificial dyes. CEO and Founder, Nancy Twine, created a haircare brand that was made for every hair type in mind. Briogeo offers a simplified two, three or, four-step custom routine to volumize, repair, defrizz, or nurture. Take the quiz to find out your perfect regimen!
8. Mented Cosmetics
Are you still trying to find your perfect nude lipstick? Well, Mented Cosmetics will help you with that. Founders KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson believe no one should struggle to find makeup that suits their skin tone. From foundation to lipstick, they want all women, light to dark, to be able to find their perfect shade. The lipsticks are cruelty-free, vegan, non-toxic, and paraben-free. Find your perfect shade here!
9. Hija de tu Madre
A colorful and fun Latina and Latinx inspired fashion and accessories brand created by its community in mind. Founder and Designer Patty Delgado wanted to create a brand that represents American and Latinx culture. “Make Jefa Moves” is its slogan that makes any Latina/x feel empowered and confident. It’s on water bottles, notebooks, and earrings! You’ll also find desk supplies, accessories, jewelry, and apparel products.
The conversation on human rights does not stop here. I encourage everyone to stay educated, do research, and to pass on your knowledge. Here are more ways we can help the Black Lives Matter movement. If you know of any more Black or Latinx owned businesses, leave them in the comments!
Until next time,
FTC: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links at no extra cost to you.
This is such a niche post at a time like this. I will be following each of the accounts you mentioned!
Just rushed to go follow smallneeds on Instagram, I love it!
Amazing content. Women of color are doing extraordinarily well
Love this post. If you ever do one again, I would love to be part of it. I am an Indian and I own an online women’s clothing boutique. I launched it about a month ago 🙂
Leave a link here! All small businesses are welcome to post their websites here (:
I’m interior decorator and just started offering some services.
http://www.petitehappenings.com
I love this. I love all these businesses. It’s so important to make sure that the voices coming from POC are heard!
Love this post. I hope to purchase something from one of these businesses!
I love this post. Looks like I’ll have to do some shopping!
Thanks for sharing this list!! Definitely a new fan of Jitana!
Needful content. Keep creating content like this! Tons of love for you
I appreciate your intention, but I am not so sure that using the Black Lives Matter movement to promote Latina businesses is wise. I am all for supporting fellow women, but this detracts from the cause of amplifying black voices.
My intention was to not use the BLM movement to promote Latina businesses . My intention was to share small businesses owned by Black and Brown women because I’m a Latina myself who knows that they are both drastically affected by police brutality and the pandemic. I wanted to show support, appreciation and love for a minority group (Black & Brown women). I apologize if it was viewed as anything else.
Thanks for sharing this post. I am definitely checking out Jitana as an online interior designer. Please let me know if you find out about more home decor businesses owned by women of color that I can source from!
Great finds! Shall add this post to my Mix account later today! Thanks xxx
Such a great post! I’ll be checking out these businesses!
Amazing! Thank you so much for this!
Thank you for putting this list together. I can already tell from your little previews that there are some incredible products to check out from these businesses. I am going to spend some time digging into each one now!
I love this! Thanks for sharing <3