Women still are the minority of business owners in an all-boys club of CEOs, CFOs, and company leaders. I am dedicating 2024 to supporting and uplifting women-owned businesses. You will too with these six woman-owned brands ranging from personal care, home goods, and even baby products for the new moms.
For the Mamas
Proudly
Owners: Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade
You love their sweet family: Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, and their cutie pie Kaavia. The Wades wanted to create a brand that focused on melanated babies from hair care, skin care, and diapers. Therefore Proudly was born. A brand that carries diverse, earth-friendly, and dermatology and pediatrician-approved products. I tested their two popular bundles for hair and skin on my nephew.
The Hair Care Collection 4-Piece Bundle contains a shampoo, two conditioners (heavy and medium), and a detangler. Each product contains star ingredients like grapeseed oil, murumuru butter, mango butter, jojoba milk, rosemary extract, and marshmallow root to nourish the littlest curls. The cherry on top is the sweet vanilla scent that leaves my nephew’s hair smelling sweet on the daily.
Bath time goes streamlined with the Proudly Skin Care Collection 6-Piece Bundle. Washing away germs and dirt is easy with Gentle Baby Wash containing jojoba oil, aloe, lavender & chamomile oil to help aid in relaxation. A few pumps of Hydrating Baby Lotion will soothe any dry, tight skin with their gentle formula. Apply extra nourishment with All Over Balm (for colder nights) or the Nourishing Hair & Body Oil (for cooler days). Top off the bedtime routine with Calming Spray with calming lavender and chamomile. Babies will find peace with Proudly products.
Loulou Lollipop
Owners: Eleanor Lee & Angel Kho
Best friends from birth: the twins Eleanor Lee & Angel Kho conjured up their adorable baby brand of Loulou Lollipop. With a clear focus on stylish yet joyful designs, the sister duo is making a mark in the market for baby clothes.
For my baby nephew, I dress him in the Moon Bodysuit. This cute one-piece is a caramel color with moon motifs and an ultra-soft touch. Your baby will be sleeping peacefully thanks to this bodysuit.
My youngest niece loves to dance around the Waffle Skater Dress in Blush Pink. This toddler-friendly dress has long sleeves, pretty bow detailing, and a cozy waffle material that looks amazing in photos. She deems it as her “princess dress” and insists on wearing it every day. I adore Loulou Lollipop’s high-quality clothing and the female twin power behind this brand.
P.S. Dog Moms
Bundle x Joy
Owner: Jessica Berger
I say “dogs are a girl’s best friend” and Jessica Berger, owner and founder of Bundle x Joy, agrees. Her company celebrates all elements of candy color pastels, sparkles, and yummy treats for our fur babies. My sweet girls, Liberty and Justice, went gaga over their precious package full of glorious goodies.
Bundle X Joy – Dog Toys
Liberty plays with the Puppuccino Dog Toy on the regular and Justice obsessed over the Narwhal Dog Toy. Bundle x Joy’s toys are supremely soft, look aesthetically pleasing, and these two particular toys have built-in squeakers. I love the joy my dogs get from playing with Bundle x Joy’s toys.
Bundle X Joy – Vibrant Dog Kibble
Meal time consists of the Vibrant dry food blend made with salmon and delicious flaxseed, pumpkin, apples, carrots, and cranberries. The best part is the probiotics that ease my dogs’ digestive tracts. No grains or poultry are found in the recipe. I will have to restock very soon for my girls since they gobble every bit of Vibrant kibble.
I am a snack girl and naturally, my dogs love a treat or two or three… and that is where Adventure Bundle comes in clutch. This bundle is a trio of jerkies. Justice does her tricks promptly when she gets a whiff of Leash & Load (Beef Superfood Jerky Bars). Liberty is a fan of Rise & Shine (Chicken Superfood Jerky Bars) and gives me major puppy eyes every time I go to the pantry to grab myself a snack. Ride & Vibe (Salmon Superfood Jerky Bars) is a safe bet when I head with them to the dog park and share among their doggy friends.
These treats are made in the USA and are made without corn, wheat, or soy. Pet parents can rest easy knowing no artificial ingredients or preservatives when into these scrumptious bars. Bundle x Joy has a 3% give-back to fund women in entrepreneurship which. I will be sure to snag Liberty and Justice products from Bundle x Joy from now on.
Self Care Insider:
Authentic Ego
Owner: Christina Brooks-Potts
Adult acne is super common yet many products are geared to teenagers… not Authentic Ego. Founder and owner Christina Brooks-Potts, pioneered her company to help others like her who deal with troubled skin.
Their best-selling duo are staples in my skincare routine. Tidy Pores Water Jelly Lipid Peroxidation Serum With Stabilized Vitamin C is a silky smooth formula that protects delicate skin from breakouts, oxidative stress, and irritation. Application is simple: use after cleansing and enjoy the cooling sensation of the serum. I love the Vitamin C (made from Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate) which helps to brighten my skin without inflammation.
Super Sensa Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Pre & Postbiotics is the most innovative moisturizer I have come across as a woman with oily skin. This moisturizer’s nourishing formula contains niacinamide, peptides, and Tremella snow mushroom which work in tandem to hydrate without a heavy feeling and no surprise pimples. Authentic Ego is female fuel skincare for the 21st century so grab a bottle or two.
Effie’s Paper
Owner: Kalyn Johnson Chandler
Black Girl Magic is easy to manifest with Effie’s Paper, a small NYC-based brand founded by Kalyn Johnson Chandler. Kalyn was a fashion stylist who later became a stationery and graphic designer. Effie’s Paper appeared in publications like The Washington Post, The New York Post, Essence magazine, HGTV, and Apartment Therapy. You can find Effie’s Paper at Macys.com, Walmart.com, and Etsy.com for all your paper needs.
This Black-owned female company has the cutest products that bring a smile to my face every time I flip through my Black Girl Magic Notebook with its thick pages and a gorgeous gold and black cover. When I go to write my dreams and goals I use the company’s diamond pen made with sparkling rose gold metal.
In fueling my dreams I never miss a beat with my Black Girl Magic travel mug filled with herbal tea or hot coffee. The mug holds the heat in my drink for twelve hours and is super cute in my car’s cup holder. Shop this Black female-owned business from Kalyn Johnson Chandler this year.
Ceremonia
Owner: Babba Rivera
Curl care can feel like a chore but Ceremonia makes wash day a sensual spa experience in the shower. Babba Rivera, a Latina with gorgeous coils, created Ceremonia to honor her culture and encourage curly girls to embrace clean beauty.
Their Deep Moisture Wash Day packs a punch of moisture (the conditioner winning Byrdie 2022 Eco Beauty Awards) to thirsty, thick curls like mine. I adore the easy-to-handle pump. It allows for the perfect amount to be dispensed everytime. The formula contains superstar ingredients like Aloe Vera Juice, Caffeine, Castor Oil, Babassu Oil, Patauá Oil, and Cupuaçu Butter aids in hair growth.
For leave-in conditioner, the Pequi Curl Activator captures my heart and strands. The lightweight yet hydrating formula constantly enhances my curls with Pequi, Castor Oil, and Murumuru Butter. My frizz is gone even despite me wearing wool winter hats or throwing on my hoodie when it is drizzling outside.
I have to refresh my curls and water will simply not do… but the Açaí Style Refresher will. The powerful fruit essence in combination with passionfruit and aloe brings the shine, moisture, and bounce back to my hair on days 4, 5, 6, and even, 7. Any product to prolong my wash day is a star in my curly hair book. Ceremonia’s products all share their signature citrus yet sweet scent that lasts for days. Babba Rivera outdid herself with this colorful and curl-friendly collection of products!
