During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the females who have come before us, the ones who stand by us today, and all of the future generations to come. There are many ways to fight for equality and the representation of women in leadership positions, and one of them is to use your shopping power. Women make the vast majority of household financial decisions, which means that where you spend your hard-earned cash makes a difference. While not every single dollar can always go towards the support of female-founded companies, your everyday purchases can move the needle if you simply make a conscious effort to support your fellow woman. From health and beauty to fashion and motherhood and beyond, these 12 women-owned and operated businesses are oh-so worthy of your purchase. (And to all our HerMoney entrepreneurs, we love you! To be featured in an upcoming article, please email us at editor@hermoney.com.
GimMe Snacks
Founded in 2012 by Annie Churn, this healthy snack company is the second success of this female entrepreneur. (She sold her first multimillion-dollar company, Simple Gourmet Asian Cuisine.) She now offers one of the most popular seaweed snacks on the market; the first USDA-certified, non-GMO verified seaweed snack, to be precise. In order to make her products, she had to convince South Korean farmers to change their practices. Talk about influence!
Try this: Sea Salt Avocado Oil
Fernweh Editions
Founded in 2020 by Larissa Pickens, this line of travel-inspired, hand-poured soy wax candles will help you fulfill your wanderlust, no passport required. The name itself means ‘a longing for faraway places’ in German, and Pickens’ hope is that the fragrances will transport others to the destinations they desire. Think: lavender fields in the Mediterranean, a fireplace in New England, or a snowy forest in Alaska.
Try this: Creme Brulee Candle
JJwinks
Founded in 2018, this is the brand you want to go to if you’re looking for super-comfortable and chic loungewear. They’re dedicated to sustainability, and their eco-friendly practices have avoided 52,067 of driving emissions, saved 949,768 hours of bulb energy and 8,664,515 days of drinking water. Plus, the comfort alone will make you want to say goodbye to fast fashion forever.
Try this: Slumber Party Top
Lobe Love
Founded by Jenn Loyd in 2020, this earring subscription service hopes to give women confidence with affordable statement-making accessories. As a stylist herself, Loyd handpicks every pair offered by the company, so you know you’ll receive something worth showing off.
Try this: Lobe Love Earrings
Luli Bebé
Founded in 2017 with a mission to provide luxury diaper bags for a modern mama, Luli Bebé makes certain you don’t have to fork over thousands of dollars to transition to the next stage of your life in style. Founder Arpi Kachatryan was inspired to create her company after having her daughter, and watching her sibling welcome a daughter at around the same time, in a different country. This inspired Kachatryan to look for ways to bring European flair to the North American market, so that every mama could parent in style.
Try this: Monaco Diaper Bag
Air & Anchor
Founded in 2020 by Rachel Ajaj and her husband Omar, this dynamic couple makes everything in their generational family-owned factory in Rhode Island, which Rachel’s grandfather initially founded. They also partner with locally-based artisans and craftspeople to create other lifestyle goods.
Try this: Cuff Keeper Necklace
Loulou Lollipop
Founded in 2016 by twin sisters Angel Kho and Eleanor Lee, this company wanted to provide comfort and safe adventures for babies. It was a cause close to their heart, considering they were separated at birth in China and didn’t reconnect until they were six years old. Recently, they were selected for the entrepreneurship program, EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women in North America.
Try this: Muslin Quilts
Proof
Founded in 2020 by a trio of sisters — Jodi, Lori and Kari Caden — this company offers leak-proof period underwear. It’s so reliable, one pair holds up five tampons’ worth or ten tablespoons of liquids, plus it fights odors and wicks moisture. They’ve already been successful as entrepreneurs, as the co-founders of Belly Bandit, a maternity and postpartum brand.
Try this: Brief
Fuchsia Shoes
Founded in 2016 by Afshan Abbas, this Seattle-based sustainable footwear brand creates gorgeous — and comfortable! — shoes that Pakistan artisans create. Not only does this create job opportunities overseas, it also allows others to support countries (and women!) in need while also feeling confident in their kicks.
Try this: Black Peplum
Sunday Night Foods
Founded in 2021 by a former communication executive, Eileen Gannon turned her long-time passion into a full-time business. She launched this unique line of shelf-stable, premium chocolate dessert sauces from her home base in Iowa. You can add a dollop on anything and everything — from treats and baked goods to oatmeal and more.
Try this: Sweet Rich Chocolate Sauce
The Sculpt Society
Founded in 2017 by Megan Roup, this digital membership allows women to work up a sweat and improve their health from home. Rather than making fitness about ‘before and afters,’ she focuses on finding joy in the process and celebrating your body. You can discover a wide variety of low-impact yoga, meditation, dance carotid and sculpting classes in their 400+ video library.
Try this: Sculpt Society Subscription
Cure
Cure was founded in 2019 by entrepreneur and Harvard MBA Lauren Picasso after training for a triathlon, when she realized she struggled to recover from long workouts. She couldn’t find an electrolyte enhancer that wasn’t packed with sugar, so she made her own. Now, it helps athletes and at-home exercises alike.
Try this: Variety Pack
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