August is National Black Business month and there is no better time to be exploring the vast world of Black-owned businesses. There’s truly nothing more satisfying than knowing that you are putting your hard-earned money into your community and helping a business owner grow their venture to an even higher reach.
This National Black Business Month, we want to highlight all of the amazing Black women who are living out their entrepreneurial dreams with some of the most innovative business ideas we’ve ever heard of. Below are 9 Black woman-owned brands that are worth checking out this month — and every month! Check them out!
1. Hungry Bunny Virtual Donut Shop
Described as 100% cruelty-free cake donuts, Khloe Hines has been serving up her delicious vegan donuts nationwide since April 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hines says she used her time at home in quarantine to jumpstart her online shop and fulfill her dream of being her own boss. You can order from her extensive list of donuts, cookies, and even donut cakes in the comfort of your own home and have your delicious treats shipped directly to your front door.
2. Claude Home
After beginning her career in the fashion industry in New York City, San Diego-born Maggie Foster began to develop a love for interior design and curating vintage homewares. From this love, Claude Home was born. Described as “an online gallery selling collectable vintage pieces, contemporary artists from all over the world, and furniture design,” it’s the perfect place to find unique decor for your living space 100% online. And you’re not limited to the pieces featured on the website. As a part of the store’s services, they boast the ability to “find” or even “create your dream piece.”
3. Your Pharmacy Advocate
Historically, Black people — specifically Black women — have been given improper medical care. As this fact becomes more common knowledge and we search for solutions, there is nothing more important than being able to have a personal experience with a person you trust when buying pharmaceuticals and medications. Enter Your Pharmacy Advocate founded in 2017 by Dr. Jerrica Dodd to add a personal touch to purchasing pharmaceuticals and to fill “a void of direct, dedicated pharmacist support to practitioners and patients.” Designed to “offer you personalized care and consultation regarding your medication regimen,” Your Pharmacy Advocate is there to help patients understand the medications they are taking and how to use medicine to truly heal the body. The pharmacists at Your Pharmacy Advocate are there to answer any questions you may have about your prescriptions including how certain food and over-the-counter drugs interact with medicines.
4. The Budgetnista
Founded by former New Jersey preschool teacher Tiffany Aliche, The Budgetnista works with groups as small as ten to even thousands to offer lessons in financial literacy. Among Aliche’s most impactful pursuits through the Budgetnista is the ‘Live Richer Movement’ that specifically helps women — who called themselves the Dream Catchers — improve their finances. Overall, the movement has “collectively saved more than $250 million dollars and paid off over $200 million dollars in debt.”
5. Beads Byaree:
Created by Philadelphia designer Areeayl Goodwin Beads Byaree is “an innovative hand crafted jewelry line.” Now based in Brooklyn, Goodwin creates whimsical jewelry and clothing pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind. From a pair of bold earrings fitted with a candelabra to a regal-looking sheer skirt set, Beads Byaree is an innovative brand designed to elevate your look and take you out of your comfort zone. Her designs have been featured on several high-profile celebrities and editorials including Naomi Osaka’s historic Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover and Mj Rodriguez’s Style Caster cover.
6. Proper Gnar:
Proper Gnar is the very first Black woman-owned skate company. Created in 2012 by Latosha Stone, the brand stands to challenge the status quo of the skating world. “Latosha aims to banish the stereotypes” associated with skating and create a new face of skate culture. While skating is seen as predominately white and male, Latosha and Proper Gnar exploded onto the scene to turn that narrative on its head. Much of the art seen on Proper Gnar’s boards, hoodies, and accessories is the work of Ohio-based freelance artist Hakim Callwood. The art proudly places Black women at its center with boards displaying Black fairies, angels, and so much more. The brand’s art reflects it mission as it “empowers, uplifts, and showcases women, especially women of color, to jump onboard and skate.” Along with its products, Proper Gnar also hosts clinics and events to help open skating to all people.
7. Pear Nova:
Founded in 2012 by Rachel James, Pear Nova is a vegan and cruelty free beauty brand that specializes in nail care. Known for their high quality nail lacquers, Pear Nova products have been used on models in runway shows and have been featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things list. The brand celebrates all shades, skin tones and roots its mission in empowering women everywhere. They are described as “[drawing] inspiration from world wonders, runway designers, and remarkable women” including Beyonce, Ciara, and Tracee Ellis Ross—who James said she would choose to be the one celebrity to use Pear Nova products on the Red Carpet.
8. Golde
Started in her one bedroom Brooklyn apartment in 2017, Trinity Mouzon Wofford’s vision for Golde was to promote self-care through a line of superfoods. Their “products are a celebration of superfoods to effortlessly boost your daily routine, from morning smoothies to skincare.” The brand started out by only selling one product, the Turmeric Latte Blend and has since grown into an online store with a full-blown arsenal of nutrient packed powders and elixirs including pure matcha, coconut collagen powder, and a lemon-flavored water enhancer to fight bloating. Outside of edible products on the site, the brand also features award-winning skincare products like the Papaya Bright Face Mask. In 2019, Mouzon Wofford began to stock her Golde skincare at the Sephora, making her the youngest Black woman to have her products sold by the beauty giant.
9. Melanin HairCare
Founded in 2015 by sisters Whitney and Taffeta White, Melanin Hair Care was developed as a way to give Black men and women access to effective haircare products with high quality ingredients. Co-founder Whitney is known as one of the top haircare gurus on the internet with a YouTube channel that has amassed a following of over 1.2 million subscribers under the name @naturalp85. The brand is known for its host of hair care products including the African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo, the Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend, and high quality head-wraps. All products are made without parabens, sulfates, silicone or mineral oils, which make for the best styling experience for textured hair. Melanin hair products can be purchased directly from their website but are also available at Ulta Beauty.