We made it to the end of the year. Thank God! Not everyone did.
This holiday season is much different than last year and the years prior, and many people are figuring out just how to handle it. (To go to grandma’s house or not to go. That is the question.)
Although you may not be able to see your close relatives this year due to the coronavirus, you can still show them you care.
You do not have to spend money you do not have
I’m not one to believe that you need to spending money that you do not have. If the events the year has called for you to play it cool budget-wise, don’t let the commercials or radio ads convince you otherwise. My own work has changed drastically partly due to the coronavirus; however, others have been severely impacted financially in a negative way.
You can show love in other ways. Here are a few options:
- You can give a call. Call your loved one and wish them a happy holiday! Catch up over the phone and express your love in a safe way.
- Video conference them. Schedule a time to conference your family members. Bring the kids on, play some music, share stories! Make the most of the time you have by sharing memories.
- Send a card. This is the simplest avenue you can take. There are many ways to send a card, by mail, email, etc. There is a company on the list below that you can use to send a greeting card. How convenient!
…but if you want to spend…
To those who wish to give a special gift to a loved while also supporting minority-owned businesses, I got you.
How easy is it to just go to your nearest Ulta or Wal-Mart and pick up a random item to send to your sister or cousin. I completed this list of products made by black-owned business so you can make a more conscious decision this holiday season.
Why not support local business and those that help the community?
This list of businesses include products that I use in my every day or weekly maintenance, and others are those that I have found online through other sources. (But I can’t wait to try them!)
Why some black-owned products are more expensive
Just a note, sometimes it can be more expensive to “buy black”. This is because in many industries, black people, generally with limited finances, are priced out; meaning the cost to enter the market is so high that many black retailers cannot get a hold of products to sell in their stores. I have heard terrible stories of how Asian manufacturers of hair and beauty products are making the minimal quantity amount ordered somewhere around $50,000. Many black business can not afford that, and even if they could they would likely only be able to sell just that one product! They do this so that the retailer will need to pay more for lower quantities, which would make the re-selling price higher, which in turn bumps them out of the competitive market.
If black sellers have to pay more for their products, they in turn have to price the item more than those who got the item for cheaper. This is why many black-owned business have higher re-sell prices, because they are doing what they can given the structure of back-end business models that low-key keep black businesses at a disadvantage.
We make a way out of no way, we make our own!
However, this has not stopped black businesses from thriving in certain areas. It’s because of people making articles (like the one you are reading now) and others advertising black business that have kept some black-owned businesses afloat. But as you may know, many other businesses do not endure.
I do my best to patronize black-owned businesses where I am. And even though many of these businesses lack supply, we can still support them. Support these businesses locally and online.
I used to drive across the bridge and pay $5 toll to visit a black-owned beauty shop in PA. Since coronavirus hit; however, I have been limited to the current supply from online retailers that are still in business. Make an effort to support black-owned businesses today.
42 Black-Owned Shops You Can Support Today!
Decorative stationery from Indigo James Designs
Here is a list of black-owned businesses that have products you can use from head to toe. I do not receive any commission for listing any of these products. The products are listed in the following categories: general (for general or everyday use including those that can be found at a store near you), professional services, women, men and children. For business use for you to personal use, we got you covered.
Professional
Indigo James Designs – Stationery and crafts
Indigo James Designs is a black owned small business that creates crafts and stationery catered to the black woman.
Visit the shop. Click here.
Success Media Solutions – Video Production
Success Media Solutions is a full-service marketing firm that specializes in video production, social media management, local SEO and online advertising campaigns. Our mission is to help you visually tell your story and engage your audience.
Visit the website. Click here.
Page Design – Web design
Page Design is a boutique company that specializes in developing Shopify Ecommerce and Joomla!™ websites, and graphic design services.
For over 15 years we have helped clients build great web applications. Every web project is built using current web technologies and is tailor-made to fit unique requirements. Our aim has always been to deliver cutting edge web design coupled with rock solid web programming. We work with different types of organizations across a range of industries including retailers, charities, not-for-profits, schools, and individuals.
Visit the website. Click here.
Love Bug Studios – Fabric Shop
Creativity is our passion, our customers are like friends, and our products are made with the very best materials and care. Everything we do is infused with all the love and attention we can give, as though our family and friends were the ultimate recipients.
Visit the website. Click here.
Faith Hope & Love Candle Co – Candle Store
FHL Candle Co. is a faith-based company out of MD. We believe that we are the aroma of Christ, therefore we spread our scent by creating fragrant handcrafted products. Each one of our candles are strategically & divinely appointed a name that serves to encourage and strengthen one’s faith, hope and love in Christ.
The candles at Faith Hope & Love Candle Co. are hand poured with love. We create small batched, hand crafted 100% natural soy wax candles, with phthalate free fragrance oil and lead & zinc free flat braided cotton wicks.
Faith Hope & Love is detailed into every candle we create and is the foundation of how we operate. When you support FHL, you are supporting a woman-owned small business that support other woman and small businesses and a percentage of the proceeds will also support Women and Children of Domestic Violence.
Visit the website. Click here.
General Use
Iyoba handmade – Natural Body Care
We are an environmentally conscious brand, and we are working towards zero waste. Our promise is to deliver products that make people feel good inside and out, by implementing recycling, green practices, and conscious minimalism. We create product that doesn’t harm animals, people, and environment because we believe in the harmony between nature and living beings.
Visit the website. Click here.
Golde – Wellness Food & Beauty
Our products are a celebration of superfoods to effortlessly boost your daily routine, from morning smoothies to skincare.
You can count on us for formulas that are always 100% natural and vegan-friendly, with superfood ingredients you can recognize and trust.
Visit the website. Click here.
Nubian Heritage – Body, Face and Hair Care
Nubian Heritage got its start on the streets of Harlem. Fresh out of college and without jobs, Richelieu Dennis and Nyema Tubman set out to bring the healing traditions of African Black Soap and Shea Butter to the community they loved. Short on experience but full of passion and determination, they mined their knowledge of culturally authentic healing traditions to create natural skin and body treatments to share with their families and community. That was back in 1992, and they’ve held fast to that commitment every day since.
Passionate about sharing the healing possibilities in Nubian Heritage soaps and other products as well as the cultures they come from, Dennis and Tubman were guided by their community’s demand for wellness products that spoke to their unique needs. Expanding their reach for the rich healing philosophies of ancient cultures, their passion spread to communities around the globe.
Visit the website. Click here.
PUR Home Cleaning Supplies – Home Cleaning Supplies
We are dedicated to creating natural and safe household cleaning products that can be used by anyone, giving special consideration to selecting ingredients that are plant-based, biodegradable, sulfate-free, and non-toxic.
Visit the website. Click here.
Claude Home – Vintage Home and Decor
Claude Home is a vintage home and decor brand founded by Maggie Foster. The 23-year old founded Claude Home after working for top magazines as an assistant. She turned her Instagram hobby into a full-blown business in addition to opening an East Village showroom.
Visit the website. Click here.
General Use Items Available at Major Retailers
Iman Cosmetics – Cosmetics
IMAN Cosmetics is much more than a makeup brand—it serves as the premier cosmetics and skincare collection designed for all women with skin of color. Offering over 10 best-selling foundation shades, IMAN works to meet the skincare needs in African American and multi-cultural makeup that other companies were lacking. This black-owned beauty brand features a full line of cosmetic and daily skin routine products to embolden your everyday look no matter where you go. From primer to lipstick, IMAN offers the most variety in makeup for black women.
Visit the website. Click here.
Mielle Organics – Hair Care
Since inception, Mielle Organics’ products have taken the hair care market by storm. After mere months, Mielle Organics was widely recognized for its results-driven products and excellent customer service.
Mielle Organics launched in 2014 with the creation of the first Mielle Organics product, the Advanced Hair Formula, a unique proprietary blend of herbs, amino acids and minerals to support healthy hair, skin and nails, and immune system. After popular demand, Mielle Organics began producing products customers demanded with the introduction of the the Mint Almond Oil, acclaimed for its scalp sensation and root stimulation that aid in hair growth and provide illustrious shine.
Visit the website. Click here.
TGIN – Hair Care
Chris-Tia Donaldson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thank God It’s Natural (TGIN), a manufacturer of natural hair and skin care products, currently sold in Ulta, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Sally’s Beauty, and Walgreen’s. In her role, she oversees all aspects of day-to-day operations, sales, and strategic partnerships.
Visit the website. Click here.
The Mane Choice – Hair Care
We are an electrifying revolution in the hair care industry created by a Physician and Registered Nurse DUO. We built our company on the foundation of research and the “beauty, health, science” approach (enhance beauty and health with a scientific background). We are a premium multi-cultural healthy hair growth and retention company.
Visit the website. Click here.
Karen’s Body Beautiful – Hair, Body and Bath
Entrepreneur and educator Karen Tappin is one of the billion-dollar beauty industry’s shining stars. As the founder and CEO of Karen’s Body Beautiful, she transformed her natural hair and skin care line from a modest home-based business into a blossoming enterprise with robust internet sales and mass-market distribution.
Visit the website. Click here.
Lip Bar – Cosmetics
The Lip Bar is a vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand that exists to help change the way you think about beauty. Every day people are being told how to be beautiful – so we’re here to remind you that you don’t have to change. You Are Enough!
Visit the website. Click here.
Mented Beauty – Cosmetics
From our original nude lipsticks to eyeshadow palettes to blushes, each of our makeup products is perfectly pigMented to match your skin tones. We want all women, from light to tan to dark skin tones, to feel like they have makeup that actually works for their complexions, so we’ve created the shades to help accomplish that.
Visit the website. Click here.
Black-girl sunscreen – Sunscreen Company
Our story begins with the need for melanin women to have a sunscreen brand that caters exclusively to them.
From carrying expensive umbrellas to the beach and downright neglecting to go outside all together, our founder thought it was time to create a natural non-white residue sunscreen brand for women of color.
Visit the website. Click here.
Uncle Funky’s Daughter – Hair Care
We will support women, men and children in their quest to confidently showcase their beauty…NATURALLY. We will provide a system of high quality, affordable beauty solutions globally that address the needs of the diverse world, while helping to protect the earth’s valuable resources. Our community will be uplifted through charitable initiatives, and we will inspire our team members to bring their best selves each day.
Visit the website. Click here.
Women
Luxe Glam Boutique – Fashion Brand
Luxe Glam Boutique is a trendy, affordable, and stylish fashion brand. We have a wide variety of the latest women and kids fashions. We have home essentials to make your house smell like a home. Priding ourselves on being a family- friendly company.
Visit the website. Click here.
Nikki & Mallory – Handbag Company
Nikki&Mallory is an artisan-made collection of bohemian inspired leather and non-leather handcrafted goods. Offering small batch, made-to-order production, each piece is created with originality and authenticity. In an effort to reduce waste and embrace the push towards sustainability – a small percentage of the leathers used are up-cycled and/or re-cycled. With natural vegged tanned leather being the preferred leather of choice. This mission to source local, eco-friendly materials is an on-going effort to reduce the use of chemically treated leathers.
Visit the website. Click here.
Tote & Carry – Luxury Luggage and Bag Brand
Tote & Carry is an affordable, minority-owned, luxury bag brand specializing in fashion pieces and travel sets designed to elevate any look while protecting the environment.
Visit the website. Click here.
Demi Blue Natural Nails – Vegan Nail Polish
Michelle L. Robinson is the Owner of DEMIblue Natural Nails, LLC, and creator of DEMIblue™ 10-Free Vegan-Friendly Nail Polish Collection. She has serviced the healthcare and education industries for over 18 years.
Visit the website. Click here.
Blossoming Bluerose – Faith-Based Mental Health Products
Blossoming Bluerose provides content for black women on mental health, self-care, empowerment and physical and spiritual wellness from a Christ-centered perspective. Visit the product store for gifts and personal items to inspire you and your loved ones.
Visit the store. Click here.
Ginger and Liz – Vegan Nail Polish
Ginger + Liz Colour Collection™ is the popular brand of vegan friendly and toxin-free nail lacquer with a devoted base of style setting customers and celebrity fans. The collection was created in 2010 by Ginger Johnson and Liz Pickett, friends that bonded over all-things beauty with a particular love (or what some might call an obsession) for nail lacquer. The ladies also made a strong connection over their personal journeys to becoming vegan and vegetarian and how it positively affected their overall health and beauty regime.
Visit the website. Click here.
Cocotique – Beauty Subscription Box
COCOTIQUE is a deluxe beauty box subscription service for women of color. We find the best beauty, self-care, wellness and lifestyle products targeting your unique needs and desires and ship them to your door each month. Dana Hill, Founder and CEO, created COCOTIQUE to simplify the search and discovery process and save you time and money.
Visit the website. Click here.
Melanin Hair care – Hair Care
Haircare and Lifestyle Brand by @Nap85 (Whitney White), Natural & Toxic-Free Hair Products.
Visit the website. Click here.
Nubian Skin – Hosiery Brand
I completely understand how frustrating it can be when you can’t find products in your own nude. Try Nubian Skin, the lingerie and hosiery brand for women of color.
Visit the website. Click here.
Men
Mpire Barber Belt – Barber Gear /Grooming Company
We are Mpire Barber. A new company to the hair industry bringing you the world’s first fully equipped barber toolbelt! We believe that it’s not other industries but it’s our own industry that is innovating new products to help our craft. Our passion will always be to help others and to bring innovative tools to our profession that can relieve stress, add value, and provide education for hair professionals today. The Mpire Barber Belt is the ultimate barbe’rs assistant for barbers and grooming professionals. This brand-new product will help barbers save 5-7 minutes off each cut, minimizing turning to station by 85% and relieving the stress of performing a mobile cut. You’ll avoid incidental fall of clippers, misplaced items, and a hazardous workspace. In the shop, onset, during house call, in the grocery store, or in mall, let everyone know you are invested in your profession, and you mean business. Enjoy the experience of keeping your tools, implements, and supplies on your hips, always right there with you.
Visit the website. Click here.
Darryl Brown – Fashion Brand
Based on the ideals of community and the spirit of empowerment, Collection 1 will embody the essence of the blue-collar worker: constancy, strength and deep roots. You’ll find the collection hosts classic silhouettes, crisp construction and the juxtaposition of durable and distinguished materials.
Visit the website. Click here.
Scotch Porter – Men’s Hair, Face and Beard Brand
We’re married to the idea that men should be able to take care of themselves and not have to break the bank. That we shouldn’t have to use products packed with harmful chemicals just to look and feel like a boss.
Visit the website. Click here.
Grown Man Beard (Bling and Beard) – Men’s Grooming
Beard apparel, products and Faith based bling tees. Grown Man Beard has become a household name for bearded guys everywhere.
Proudly sporting the GMB apparel and beard grooming products. We are always excited to hear the wonderful reviews and pleased clients.
Visit the website. Click here.
Frederick Benjamin Grooming – Men’s Grooming
We’re here to disrupt the industry standard for men of color. It all starts with our process: we handpick only the most nourishing ingredients, rejecting common approaches, and innovate our products to cater to you. Because, to us, men’s grooming is more than a market opportunity; it’s a cultural one designed to elevate how we are perceived—and, most importantly, how we perceive ourselves.
Visit the website. Click here.
Children
Kido Chicago – Children’s Clothes and Toy Brand
Kido is a combination of our most clever and colorful ideas and the affirmations we give to our children every day. Shop kid books, toys, activities, clothes and more.
Visit the website. Click here.
Playpits – Children’s Grooming
Play Pits is a Mother’s solution to providing a kid-friendly, all natural hygiene option for children with active lifestyles. Chantel’s first customer, her son Kam, was so proud of his Mom’s first batch of Play Pits that he spread the news about the new creation like wildfire.
Visit the website. Click here.
Mahogony Books – Children’s and Young Adult Books
MahoganyBooks is a local independent bookstore that believes in social entrepreneurship. We take a leadership role in the African American community by promoting reading, writing, and cultural awareness as tools to improve self-esteem, self-love and ultimately our communities to enrich the lives of motivated individuals.
Visit the website. Click here.
The Black Toy Store – Children’s Toy Store
The Black Toy Store is your online destination for hand-picked, curated children’s toys, games, books, and gifts that reflect the beauty and diversity of the African diaspora.
Visit the website. Click here.
Little Likes Kids – Children’s Toys
At Little Likes Kids™ we understand that no gifting moment should come and go without an opportunity to share items with your child that reflects who they are. So, we create toys and playful images that reflect kids like my son and his wonderfully diverse gaggle of friends.
I Created Little Likes Kids™ Because No One Else Did, For My Henry …And Yours.
Visit the website. Click here.
Healthy Roots Dolls – Children’s Dolls for Girls
Healthy Roots Dolls is a toy company that creates dolls and storybooks that empower young girls and represent the beauty of our diversity.
Visit the website. Click here.
Brown Toy Box – Children’s Toys
Our mission is to normalize Black excellence and create prosperous career pathways for Black children through STEAM education, cultural representation and educational play.
We will create a world where Black children see themselves positively represented throughout the spaces they experience and that they know they can be and do anything they set their minds to doing and becoming.
Visit the website. Click here.
LePetit Organic – Children’s Clothing Brand
Diversity and inclusivity has always been important to us, and it was lacking in many of the brands we’ve supported over the years. As a result, we decided to do something about it using our business savvy. Over the years, we’ve supported many small and large shops alike, whose mission and focus differed from ours.
We are thankful for the companies and customers who have understood and supported our mission and our recent changes. As we continue to grow and expand, our mission–diversity and inclusivity–has not and will not change as we bring you our vintage-inspired designs and products.
Visit the website. Click here.
Happy Mango – Baby Boutique
Eco-friendly baby boutique.
Visit the website. Click here.
Have you tried any of these brands? Share your experience and leave a comment below!
