5 Woman-Owned Brands We Love

To celebrate IWD this year we are making a donation to a Toronto-based charity, The New Mom Project. As a brand that supports Mom’s during their parenting journey, it’s important for us to help ensure that moms have the necessities they need to care for their babies.

We have been a team of almost 100% women for the last 10 years. Women have been the engine behind our company since inception and their health and wellness, especially over the last year, have been top of mind for us. We have begun developing a more robust health and wellness benefits plan to better support the specific needs of the women who work on our team. From mental health to extended plans for services that are specific to kids, to stipends for feminine hygiene products. We want our team to know that we are there for them, not just from a career perspective, but to support their own journey as women and Moms. Since COVID has been the ultimate test of workplace flexibility and working from home, we are also engaging in ways to roll-over a more flexible work schedule into the future. These are small things that ladder up to a much more supportive work environment for women.

We live in a time when it is extremely isolating and difficult for a new mom, pandemic or not. The importance of creating a village to support Moms is underplayed in our North American society. We are not meant to parent in isolation 24/7. It is often unmanageable and unhealthy. Once you have a village of women and often grandparents, partners and friends who support you during your journey of motherhood, you realize how valuable and empowering it can be.

We happen to have a lot of expecting Moms on our team right now and we recently gifted each of them time with a trusted Doula, whose sole purpose is to be there for questions and support once the baby is born. Hopefully, it will be another way that we can empower the moms-to-be on our team and give them the additional tools they need from their ‘village’.

When I started Marlo Bea I made it my mission to be a company that represented all girls with emphasis on girls of color. There are a lot of amazing hair accessory companies and most are owned by mamas like myself. However, when I saw these brands and the demographic they represented I saw beautiful little girls, but I didn't see girls that looked like mine or that looked like my nieces. My commitment to the next generation is to show them ways to empower themselves while being inclusive to those around them and celebrating diversity to its fullest! I believe that the best way to open a space and make people feel invited is to show them that there is room for them and room for everyone else too. (This is crucial for everyone, but especially women, because we have been told for so long that even when there is room, there's not enough for everyone, especially more women.)

My experience as a female founder so far has been a journey of self discovery. Knowing who you are and what makes you tick is something that you need to thrive as a company. It's important to have a great product, but in today's world it's even more important to have a connection with those buying the product or service. I don't have any major plans for IWD, but typically celebrate with films, music, books and of course food. I love learning about trailblazers and those who have paved ways for me to be in the position I am in today.

One of my biggest beliefs in business and life is not fighting the "boy's club" but creating a "girl's club." In that commitment, I continually look for new collaborations and partnerships with women-owned businesses. Recently, we collaborated with the Pleiades, a woman-owned company that offers boutique kid clothing that matched perfectly with the handwoven Sea & Grass Kids' Collection. For me, these partnerships are a celebration all year round.

I started Sea & Grass knowing that I wanted a portion of the profits for each bag sold to enrich the Areeya Scholarship Fund. This scholarship supports young girls and women with the costs of getting an education in Thailand. As a Thai American, I have had the privilege of being a part of both cultures and want to provide tuition, book costs, and support for young women striving to follow their dreams.

Women's power is everything. It sustains and supports me each day. As a woman entrepreneur, I work with a women-led team that I count on. The incredible talents cannot be underestimated. On my desk is a plaque that says, "Girl Boss." While being a "boss" isn't my goal, these words remind me to provide leadership that uplifts women rather than keeps them in the status quo.

As a nonprofit professional, I had built a career I was passionate about—one that focused on the arts, girls' education, social justice, and community organizing. However, after welcoming my son, all the plans I had laid out to ensure a good work-life balance fell through. I sought out the advice of a fantastic career coach, Lauren Laitin of Parachute Coaching. Lauren helped me think through how I could adapt my skills to fit this new chapter of my life. Working with her, I landed on something I'd never dreamed of before: starting a toy company.

As Founder of Little Likes Kids, I enjoy working with a team of talented artists, channeling my passions into creating an inclusive line of products that represent a diverse array of cultures and contemporary themes.

I appreciate the warm reception I have received from children’s shops like Maisonette. I can feel that folks are rooting for us as we help the industry offer high-quality toys that celebrate the wonderful diversity and cultural richness of today’s kids!

At Nativa every day is IWD. Our mission has always been to economically empower our women-artisan partners to use their skills and craft to create beautiful products while building sustainable futures for themselves and their families. Empowering these women artisans not only economically improves their lives, but also empowers them as contributors and often heads of households where women make family decisions and set examples for their children.

By spending time with our amazing artisans and their families, we have realized that when given the opportunity, every one of these women can thrive when their work is given meaning. This means giving them agency in their future and the future of their families. By paying fair prices for their work and encouraging the building of strong, sustainable chains of artisans, Nativa has lifted countless women out of poverty by normalizing fair pay for fair work and streamlining distribution. By partnering with Nativa, these artisans can expect to sell their products at fair prices on a large scale rather than selling their products at markets or other locations where they are bartered with and their time is often wasted.

Our daughters, and theirs, will learn by example that when women support each other incredible things happen!