One of the easiest ways to show more substantive support for feminism than sharing a #GirlBoss hashtag is simply to shop from women-owned businesses.
Though the number of women entrepreneurs in the United States continues to row and revenues earned by women-owned small businesses rose 68 percent in 2019, per CNBC, they still earn only a fraction of what their male counterparts do. Start-ups with all-women leadership garner only 3 percent of venture capital funds, according to Inc., due to a variety of factors from a venture capital "bro culture" to ingrained biases.
True gender parity in the entrepreneurial sector may still be a distant future, but it grows a little closer with each small-business success story helmed by a leadership team of women.
We've rounded up seven of our favorite products from women-owned businesses, seen below.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.
1. Bolden
Nigerian-born duo Chinelo Chidozie and Ndidi Obidoa's skincare and beauty brand Bolden is specifically formulated for melanin-rich skin, addressing the needs of brown and Black women who have been largely ignored or overlooked by the beauty industry. "People say 'black don't crack' but you need to take care of your skin - there's a lot of education to be done around the need to protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays," Obidoa said in an interview with Elle.
Bolden Brightening Moisturizer SPF 3o, $30, Amazon
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2. Luna Sundara
Luna Sundara, the earthy wellness brand founded by native Peruvian Sandra Manay, delivers artisanal Latin American homewares, crafts, and spiritualist remedies to a U.S. audience, including Peruvian pottery, essential oils, and incense.
Luna Sundara Palo Santo Smudging Sticks, $10, Amazon
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3. Parachute
Founder and CEO Ariel Kaye created the direct-to-consumer bedding brand in response to a dearth of high quality household basics that were also affordable and easy to find in the market. Parachute quickly became a go-to source for attainable luxury bedding, offering sheet sets in classic percale and sateen weaves as well as trendy linen. The brand has now expanded beyond linens to include other home essentials, including its popular down mattress toppers, small decor items, and even furniture.
Parachute Percale Venice Set, $240-$340, Parachute
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4. Floom
The transformative flower delivery service, founded by Londoner Lana Elie in 2015, partners with small florists all over the U.K. and the United States to connect customers with skilled, local experts in one online marketplace. Floom's partner florists are carefully curated for quality, ensuring every order receives attentive, customized service and one-of-a-kind arrangements from an indie florist - allowing you to support your local community without an arduous research process.
Floom Pothos, $35, Floom
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5. Natalie Gaynor Designs
Textile artist Natalie Gaynor turned her love of embroidery into a business, and shares photos of her finished pieces as well as short tutorials with her 20,000 Instagram followers. The artist-turned-entrepreneur-turned-teacher sells unique hand-stitched hoop art depicting everything from romantic florals to cheeky messages to custom gifts, as well as embroidery kits perfect for beginners learning the craft.
Natalie Gaynor Designs Hand Embroidery Start Up Kit, $50, Etsy
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6. The Honey Pot Company
Founder and CEO Bea Feliu-Espada says she started her line of natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable feminine hygiene products after living for months with bacterial vaginosis that would not go away. "One night, an ancestor visited me in a dream and gifted me with the power to heal myself," she writes. The result is Honey Pot, whose products range from cleansing wipes to tampons to maternity pads.
The Honey Pot Clean Cotton Regular Absorbency Pads, $10, Amazon
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7. The Mighty Patch
The Mighty Patch is Hero Cosmetics' signature product, a tiny, magical hydrocolloid sticker for spot-treating occasional acne. The patch goes on the burgeoning zit before bed, and as you sleep it absorbs the pus that would have formed a whitehead, flattening your blemishes with no popping required. The brand's co-founder and CEO, Ju Rhyu, says she had a hard time finding effective acne treatment for her sensitive skin before she discovered hydrocolloid patches - and now she's on a mission to spread the word.
The Mighty Patch Original, $13, Amazon