May 1st-5th is Small Business Week. We want to say thank you for your continued support over the years and recognize being in our corner isn't always through purchasing. It looks like sharing, saving, or liking photos, recommending us to your friends and family, and celebrating our wins with us. When we strive to make a difference in the community, encouraging women of all backgrounds to relish who they are, our work moves beyond influence in the physical sense. It reminds others of the light they possess. To kick off Small Business Week, we've compiled a list of retail, goods, and services from black-owned small businesses as a reminder of what's possible when we believe in our dreams.
Consider showing support the next time you shop retail, purchase goods or hire services from the following black owned small businesses.
* = local to the Austin area.
GOODS
Black Girl Sunscreen wants you to know Black can crack, and you also have the power to prevent it. BGS hit the market in 2016 to provide melanated women with a clear drying SPF 30 sunscreen. Their skin protectant is infused with natural ingredients and is available at your local Target or Ulta. Tuck a tube into a set of our carry-all pouches for protection at home and on the go.
Founder Mikaila developed a fascination with bees after getting stung twice in one week when four years old. After some encouragement to enter a youth entrepreneurial competition, she remixed a special family recipe with some honey and Me & Bees Lemonade was born. Since first appearing in contests, the lemonade can now be found in Whole Foods, Kroger, The Fresh Market and other national retailers.
The Coy Collection is here to fill the lack of whimsy in your life. Sequoyah Johnson's inspiration behind the collection is to insert joy into life's rituals with brightly colored tumblers, cow print mugs, and cry baby busts. Johnson kicked off our inaugural Conversations with Strong Women by dropping gems like the reminder "there are no awards for suffering." Watch to gather your whole life.
Black Pearl Books makes its priorities known. The independent book store located in Austin, Tx, outlines who they are here to serve and the values they uphold right on their welcome page. Supporting this locally owned business supports the continued success of public gathering spaces and lectures, festivals, and events geared toward education.
Blow Candle Co.'s selection of candles allows you to set the mood and support women's rights. Scents range from romantic Cocoa Butter Kisses featuring warm spices to citrus favorite Grapefruit Mangosteen. And proceeds from the aptly named Pussy Power candle benefit the 501c3 organization, Lillith Fund, to directly support women impacted by Texas' legal assault on women's rights. Blow Candle Co. also made our birthday dinner incredibly special when we turned eight earlier this month. Guests departed with a Blow Candle Co. 9oz in their gift bag. Thanks again, Monique!
Uncle Funky's Daughter creates products for kinky and curly textures. Do you struggle with frizz and finally want long lasting defined curls from natural products? Uncle Funky's Daughter has been providing an alternative to traditional hair care lines long before being green was the new black. Learn all about your hair type and explore new styles on their site to truly learn how to best care for your hair.
SERVICES
Founded in 2021, The Braided Hous is on a mission to reclaim and revive the Black hair experience. Stop by their Eastside location for education, events, community space, and hair.
This East Austin beauty oasis believes in the power of plants to harness beauty. The team over at eleMINT transform lives through skin health and wellness for clients to live empowered, bold, and purposeful lives. Protect your skin from the sun after you visit with the Sarabi Reversible Bucket Hat.
The Tidee Squad creates better organizational outcomes for busy decision-makers by decluttering spaces and building systems for continued success. Check out their Instagram for organizing tips and best practices.
In addition to bespoke floral designs to elevate weddings and luxury events, The Flower Note also fulfills floral subscriptions for the person who loves a new bouquet weekly. We've proudly collaborated with Danielle and her team as they provided the floral art installation during the co-hosted International Women's Day Brunch.
The Creative Peach Studios provides social media, graphic design, photography, interior design, and home styling services for residential and commercial clients. Founder Annisa's blog and fiery red hair are simply fringe benefits.
RETAIL
The New Origin Shop is a haven for those who enjoy artisanal finds at affordable prices. The online shop conveniently places prioritized categories like Black Owned Business or Made in Austin on their website's navigation to know exactly where your dollars are going.
It's unlikely you have yet to see one of Shayla Janel Hill's reimagined thrifts modeled on her statuesque frame. With consistent drops of perfectly stylized coordinates, the multi-hyphenated fashion entrepreneur turned her love for thrifting into a six-figure business. Shop cute separates and her book, The Art of Resale, where Hill outlines her entire approach to the industry. We love a generous Queen.
Using 14k gold-filled and semi-precious stones, Latreacia Moneé handcrafts dainty pieces to accompany you during life's special moments. The mom of three discovered her passion for design at six years old and continues to create collections featuring bracelets, necklaces, and earrings from her studio in Austin, TX.
Dominique Kirven prides herself on selling thrift and vintage pieces that do not give off a second-hand feel. What started as a hobby of selling clothes from her overflowing closet on Instagram grew Thrifted Feels into a full-blown business. Running a sustainable fashion boutique comes with its challenges. As Kirven notes, following her dream in fashion beats feeling burnt out working for big box stores.
Shop contemporary co-ord sets, thrifted vintage pieces, and one-of-a-kind custom pieces all in one place. Veronica Hood leads the Austin-based fashion boutique and first became interested in sustainable fashion in 2013 after taking a course at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. If you love color, you've found your spot. The brand's purple and green web layout clue you into the chromatic offerings of the clothes. Enjoy!
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