International Women's Day
Well here we are, March 8 - International Women's Day. This year this day seems even more important with everything going on in the world. Today I want to focus on strong women who run their own businesses and do so while supporting other women and being strong, and kind and confident examples of what it means to be a business owner.
*Today's #DayWithoutAWoman is about recognizing the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system--while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity. We recognize that trans and gender nonconforming people face heightened levels of discrimination, social oppression and political targeting. We believe in gender justice.
Anyone, anywhere, can join by making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, in one or all of the following ways:
Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor
Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).
Wear RED in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman
So today I want to celebrate a few of my favourite women owned businesses. Every day we vote with our dollar so spend wisely, shop local, support women and minorities and buy from brands whose values and practices you believe in. So without further ado, here's 10 female owned businesses I think you should be supporting this Women's Day and every day.
1. Poppy Barley
An Edmonton based startup, Poppy Barley is a footwear and accessories company founded by sisters Kendall and Justine Barber. Poppy Barley is a brand that I know myself and many others look to as they set such an incredible example of how to run a business well and stay true to your core values and ethics at the same time. As a brand, Poppy Barley has single handedly changed the way I view retail and made me realize the power we have as consumers.
Erinn is the owner and designer behind Shop The Skinny, a shop for cool kids bringing in styles from all over Canada and Europe. Erinn is not only designing and manufacturing her own line right here in Canada but she does all this, running everything from manufacturing her line to packaging the orders and getting them out the door while being a mom to 3!
3. Sahajan
Lisa Mattan is the woman behind Sahajan, an ayurvedic beauty company that makes the most luxurious skincare products. After walking in on her two year old slathered in her face cream, Lisa realized that if the products she was using weren't safe enough for her daughter, why would she use them herself? Sahajan makes incredible skincare that is natural and organic that's safe and it works!
Jen is the owner and beauty mastermind behind Bella Casa Day Spa. Jen offers her range of services from makeup artistry, microblading and aesthetics all while focussing on making you feel like your best self. Beauty comes from the inside out and Jen is such a sweetheart who will pamper you with care.
5. Fabloomosity
If you've ever met Janine, then you know it's impossible not to fall immediately in love with the woman behind Edmonton's most beautiful flowers. Janine is kind and generous and to top it all off, she's hilarious too! She's an innovator in the floral industry and an absolute gem of a woman who I love to support.
Jessie is the mom of two and woman behind the eco friendly watch line Berg and Betts. Jessie saw an opportunity to take scrap leather that would be sent to the landfills as waste, and use the beautiful pieces as straps for her watches. Berg and Betts has grown from Jessie making these watches herself in her own basement to now being carried at Holt Renfrew!
Kayley is the creative mastermind behind Wrinkle and Crease, a line of stationary that ranges from hilarious to heartwarming. She's a kind and funny woman who creates her pieces with love while supporting her community through charitable causes and supporting other women. Kayley was one of the first people to reach out to 204 Park when we started and I'm proud to be supporting her 3 years on!
Thrive Causemetics has an incredible story. Karissa, the owner of Thrive was working for L'Oreal's luxury division creating beauty products for YSLand Lancome when she lost her best friend to cancer. Inspired by her dear friends' spirit, Karissa started Thrive Causemetics to be a beauty brand with a cause. Wanting women who are undergoing cancer treatment to not just survive but rather THRIVE, Karissa has created a line of safe, non toxic beauty products and her business operates on a one for one model. For every product purchased, one will be donated to a woman undergoing cancer treatment.
Amelia is the absolute sweetheart behind the beauty brand Mint and Daisy. She makes her luxurious bath salts, body scrubs and lotions (and more!) in her home studio with love and care. As a small business owner, when her daughter was born she had to keep working along with a newborn and that work ethic and determination shows in her products. She values safe and natural beauty free from chemicals and that's something I can get behind!
Chantelle is the woman behind Fringe and Feather. She makes the most beautiful wall hanging and weavings in her home studio here in Edmonton. In addition to wall hangings, she makes jewelrey and accessories with crystals. She's a busy mom of two who makes every piece herself with love and care and is an absolute gem.
These are only 10 of many of the women owned businesses that I love and adore and there's so many I couldn't include, here's a few more...
#CommunityOverCompetition
Think before you spend. Vote with your dollar. Support your community, support women, support working moms and support those who share the same values you do.
