Black women owned businesses to shop today

Looking for amazing Black women owned businesses to shop? Read on!

One of the things that is becoming clearer and clearer is how my spending lacks diversity.

I love to shop. (If you’ve been around for a while – this is shocking news, I know.) In the past, I used to skip small businesses, valuing the ability to buy more for less than putting that money to work to see more businesses succeed.

One of the lessons learned from this quarantine season is how powerful it is to shop small. How small businesses work the hardest, and can see the least return. I am honing in on supporting individuals – figuring out making typical purchases from smaller businesses instead big ones.

But for the most part until now – those small businesses have been owned by people who look like me.

Wait – why does it make a difference to shop with Black women owned businesses?

Why does the color of skin or the gender of the person who owns the shop matter? Why should I take that into consideration when I shop?

Here’s why:

Median black household incomes were 10 times less than median white household incomes in 2016. 

A severe wealth gap creates a lack of opportunity in credit lending and financial backing for Black-owned small businesses. 

On average, Black women in the US are paid 39% less than white men and 21% less than white women. 

Black women-owned businesses earn an average of $24,000 per firm compared to an average of $142,000 earned among all women-owned businesses.

Women of color headed up 89% of new businesses every day for 2018-2019.

Basically, these women have fought harder and defied more odds to pursue their dreams and put their incredible products out into the world. 

If that isn’t worthy of respect and support, I don’t know what is. 

Plus this is an amazing way to experience new products and support the Black community as a whole.

Am I telling you to completely change your spending habits? No. Am I saying someone’s skin color should be the deciding factor in how or what you shop? No.

The goal is to be open-minded, inclusive, and cheer on women who are doing big things. Consider what you purchase regularly, where you purchase it, and how you can diversify more to try something new, to support a small business and a real person. Consider how you can live out your values (maybe put your faith in action?) through your everyday spending. 

Amazing Black women owned businesses to shop today

My typical spending, outside of groceries, usually relates to these categories: clothing and style, beauty, wellness, home, and paper goods. You’ll find a lot of those here.

Also, these shops specifically reflect a lot of the values I strive for in my spending. Those values include clean and non-toxic beauty, sustainability, ethical sourcing, and minimalism. So impressed by the ethics of these companies, and how passionate their owners are.

Aliya Wanek

LA-made, environmentally conscious clothing.

Beauty Bakerie

Cruelty-free, long-lasting, smudge-free makeup (in super fun packaging).

Blk and Green

An all-natural marketplace featuring health, wellness, and beauty products by Black artisans.

The Brown Bookcase

An online bookstore founded by 9-year-old Rylei, who aims to add more inclusivity and representation in available book selections.

Everly Organics

An organic CBD product company with beautiful packaging. (My new favorite is their Bee Calm honey.)

Golde

Superfood-powered skincare and wellness products. (I’m eager to try their Matcha Tumeric Latte.)

Gracemade

An ethical and modest clothing company where faith and fashion meet. (Use my referral code ‘ ZMO0P7XZED-2 ‘ for 15% off!)

Grace Eleyae

The prettiest assortment of satin and silk-lined caps (or slaps, as the brand calls them), hats, pillowcases, and more. Why? Because satin and silk keep your hair healthier and hydrated.

Gypsy Freedom

A boutique full of sustainable, ethical, and socially conscious fashion finds. The owner Cearesa is just one of the kindest, most genuine people you’ve ever met, and she will personally help you narrow down your closet to outfits you’ll actually wear.

Kaike

Minimal, safe ingredient products with a goal of celebrating the skin you’re in. (Their Frosting and Lip Frosting are on my list to get next!)

Lace and Pearls Jewelry

Classic, minimal, and feminine pieces. Asa is a fellow blogger at Lace & Pearls, and she has such an eye for styles you can wear anywhere. 

LeneNicole Candle Company

Soy + essential oil candles (that have just the right amount of scent to fill a space but not overwhelm) in pretty packages, plus candle accessories. They ship fast, and the owner is so kind. 

The Lip Bar

Vegan makeup, known for their bold lip colors that magically look good on all skin tones, and Fast Face makeup kits. All the respect for founder Melissa Butler, who was rejected from Shark Tank, only to build her own empire and become a force to be reckoned with. (You can even shop this brand at Target! Does it still count as a small business?)

Lucky and Lovely

Cute, stylish and empowering gear for women entrepreneurs (especially those in clean beauty). The owner, Melanie, also owns Everly Organics above, and shares beauty business tips at her blog, Lucky and Lovely.

Mented Cosmetics

An inclusive beauty line that started with two women looking for the perfect shade of nude lipstick, and decided to make their own. (That’s friendship goals, right there.) 

Morgan Harper Nichols

Words of wisdom and inspiration as beautiful, moving art. If you’re on Pinterest, I guarantee you’ve come across some of Morgan’s work. You can find prints, stickers, tees, and more in her shop.

Nikki Cade Studio

Absolutely gorgeous artwork designed by travel, and known especially for her decorative globes. (She even has designed the prettiest passport holders and luggage tags for Anthropologie.) 

The Tiny Closet

Handmade, small batch, sustainable, capsule wardrobe-ready fashion that is just plain chic. 

The Tiny Tassel

The most ridiculously cute, bright, colorful, and unique jewelry and more. Serious vacation vibes, featuring delicate beading, and, of course, tassels. You can just see owner Mimi’s personality shine in her creations, like her hot pink flamingo earrings. 

Tori Belle Cosmetics

Bold and voluminous magnetic lashes. I’ve never tried them, but wow, do they create a stunning effect!

Tree Fairfax

Handmade leather purses, wallets and accessories. They are absolutely classic and would make sturdy everyday bags. 

Undefined Beauty

Non-toxic and non-irritating products that are changing the narrative about CBD beauty. Their Collective also sells beauty products from Women Of Color-Owned businesses.

Valerie Madison Jewelry

Ethical diamond and gemstone jewelry in elegant and timeless designs. 

YayDay Paper

Colorful, joyful and contemporary printable stationary and stickers – which makes them inexpensive and instant gratification. (My eye is drawn to their Fresh Squeezed Planner Bundle.) Amber is the creative force behind this company – she blogs at Damask Love and was featured on NBC’s show Making It. 

Zou Xou Shoes (Pronounced “zu zu”)

Beautiful and practical shoes that are ethically handmade in Argentina. I love the owner Katherine’s perspective – that “everything we purchase affects another human being somewhere, and that impact should be a constructive one.”

This is not an exhaustive list – there’s obviously a lot of amazing Black women owned businesses out there. But bookmark this page for more! I’ll be updating and adding as I go. 

What Black women owned businesses are you shopping lately? 

Photo Credit:

1 – Canva

2 – Lauren Fleischmann on Unsplash

3 – Canva

4 – Canva