These Small Businesses Will Kick Your Self-Care Up A Notch [A Not-So-Holiday Gift Guide]
One of my passions, besides talking self-care and wellness with every woman I come across, is supporting small businesses, especially businesses owned by women of color. Every year for Here We Grow, our annual self-care retreat, I deliberately look for companies helmed by black women/WOC for our swag bags. Since it's a retreat FOR women of color produced BY a black woman, it only seems right.In addition, my self-care box, Bloom Beautifully, featured black-owned businesses/WOC-owned businesses and there are so many doing dope things that I felt a need to round them all up and put them in a list.These brands have items perfect for gift giving. Order some now for the holidays or keep it bookmarked all year long for birthdays, family/friend celebrations and more!
1. Glory Scent
Rafaela Gonzalez is the founder of Glory Scent. She is only 22! She's a busy college student (graduating in December 🙌) but still has managed to grow her company at the same damn time. Her Argan + Rosehip Facial Oil ($27) is the truth. It has my skin glowing and moisturized all day long, with only a few drops. GO SHOPTry: Hyaluronic Gel Serum, $20
2. Finally Ginger
Finally Ginger is a Cleveland-based cookie company run by a mother and daughter team. I featured these cookies in The Self Care Box many moons ago and I just love their story. (And the cookies are DELICIOUS.) Why ginger cookies? Mama Carol wanted to give her daughter Erika a sweet treat and Erika didn't like chocolate chip cookies LOL. So she tinkered with ginger and now they have a full blown family biz. These are the stories I LOVE. Grab a gift box or some snack packs and taste them for yourself. GO SHOP.Try: Deluxe Cookie Sampler Gift Box, $48
3. Addictive Apothecary
I always say she makes the world's best body balms. The scents are out of this world. Just be careful if you're not planning on having any more kids. These will get you in trouble! Since we hooked up in 2016, Millicent has supported damn near everything I've done. I. ADORE. HER. And anytime I can use my platform to elevate her brand, I'll do it. Worth every penny. GO SHOP.Try: Cashmere body balm, $15
4. Lesley Saligoe Botanicals
One of my absolute favorites is Lesley Saligoe Botanicals. The way she lets her creativity come alive in her studio, developing bath and body products inspired by everything from Sade to Moonlight...it inspires ME. I love every single thing I've ever ordered from her shop. Plus, her blog showcases her knowledge as a master herbalist. She knows her stuff. GO SHOP.Try: Palo Santo Jasmine Mist
5. Sweet on You Beauty Bakery
Leslie is a generous and kind business owner who has some of the best smelling fragrances I've ever encountered. Her sweet potato pie bath crumbles are a must-have and her perfume oils are so long-lasting. GO SHOP.Try: Sweet Potato Pie Bath Crumbles, $8
6. Carmella Marie
Carmella Williams is the owner of Carmella Marie, an Ohio-based natural hair care and skin care line. When I tell you that she knows her stuff...listen. Her products are so moisturizing it's practically foolproof. Drench those curls. GO SHOP.Try: Flaxseed Gel, $15
7. Organic Bath Co.
Gianne Doherty, founder of Well Summit and Organic Bath, generously donated her delicious smelling PeaceFull body butter to #HereWeGrow18 attendees! Her skin care line is simple + clean and born out of love. It's been keeping my hands ash-free this winter. GO SHOP.Try: PeaceFull Body Butter, $10
8. Marie Hunter Beauty
So KéNisha Ruff, founder of Marie Hunter Beauty, gave each #HereWeGrow18 attendee a gift certificate to find her best shade. How generous! Not only does the brand have fantastic shades, but they are passionate about mental health as well, donating a portion of profits to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. GO SHOP.Try: Queen Intense Matte Lipstick, $22
9. Karess Krafters
Karess Krafters is a family owned business that's been blending smell goods since 2005. That's an eternity for an entrepreneur. She gave #HereWeGrow18 attendees some of her botanical foot soak and it hit the spot! Her massage lotions are bomb too. GO SHOP.Try: Tranquil Massage Oil, $18
10. My Tea Drop
Another WOC-owned biz that supported #HereWeGrow18 is My Tea Drop! Founder Sashee C. created these pre-sweetened, dissolvable tea drops that turn any cup of hot water into delicious tea. No tea bags necessary. GO SHOP.Try: Sweet Peppermint (Caffeine-free) or Cardamom Spice, $10
11. Positive Life Haven
My dear friend Denise of Positive Life Haven is a positive energy maven. She supported our annual #HereWeGrow18 retreat with rose quartz crystals from her shop, to get us started on our journey to healing. GO SHOP.Try: Sleep and Relaxation Crystal Bundle, $20
12. Meera Lee Patel Books
At this point, she should really look into having her own imprint. She's released two books in the past few years that got my mind right when it comes to self-exploration: Start Where You Are and My Friend Fear. (And she has a brand new one, Made Out of Stars, that promises to continue that streak.)Both Start Where You Are and My Friend Fear feature her gorgeous watercolor and make a beautiful addition to any bookshelf. But beyond that, reading Start Where You Are gave me confidence and My Friend Fear gave me a new appreciation for my trepidation. Both books are a long, hard (but fun!) look in the mirror, and I can't say enough good things about them!Try: My Friend Fear, $13
13. Thoughtfully Magazine
As a magazine journalism major in undergrad, I dreamed of creating a magazine like Thoughtfully. Each issue is a beautiful stroll through the best in wellness + self-care and the full page quote spreads are frame-worthy. GO SHOP.Try: Issue 11, The Detox Issue, $8
14. Good Thoughts Tea Company
I didn't discover that I loved tea until I was practically in my 30s. Growing up, we only had Lipton and such around the house and now that I'm grown, I'm bougie. Handcrafted tea blends make me so happy. And Good Thoughts Tea Company is such a great example of a company that does it right. Every blend I've sampled tastes like love + care in a cup.Try: Full Bloom Black Tea Blend, $10
15. Printwork By Toni
I'm becoming more and more interested in art for my home and Printwork by Toni has incredible, affordable geometric prints that I want to buy to beautify my home office. Check out her site and go buy something pretty. GO SHOP.Try: Illustrated State Print, $10-$13
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