Photo: Getty
Women of the past and present are paving the way for future female business leaders. According toa recent study, 40 percent of United States companies are women-owned, representing 12.3 million businesses. Plus, there are 114 percent more women entrepreneurs than 20 years ago.
Below, learn more about some of our favorite brands, their products and the amazing entrepreneurs who created them.
10 Grove
Shop at:10grove.com
Act + Acre
Shop at:actandacre.com
Akola
Luxury and impact are at the core of every piece ofhandcrafted jewelry from Akola, which means “she works” in a local Ugandan dialect. Founder Brittany Merrill Underwood’s brand now employs over 200 women from rural villages in Uganda and teaches them leadership and financial literacy skills. Its pieces are made from locally sourced, sustainable materials, like upcycled cow horns, that give back to the earth and are representative of the heart of Africa.
Shop at:akola.co
ĀTHR Beauty
“I’m a stickler forbeauty products without talc, andthe eyeshadow palettesthat founder Tiila Abbit created for Athr Beauty are unparalleled (as a former Sephora exec, she would know). They’re fully recyclable and feature just plain beautiful colors that are easy to blend, pigmented without being intimidating, and wearable for any occasion. Its mascara, though, is my latest obsession:The Big Bang formulareliably delivers fluttery, full, dark, long lashes, and it stays put without theproblematic PFASin many long-wear formulas.”
— Rachel Nussbaum, commerce beauty editor
Shop at:athrbeauty.com
Averr Aglow
If you’ve ever felt like you’re in an uphill battle with breakouts that seem to just keep appearing on your face, you’re not alone. It’s what led Camille Chulick, who struggled with acne for 16 years, to create Averr Aglow, a line ofnatural-based skincare products. Each item in the acne and anti-aging lines is packed with dozens of active ingredients that help clear up skin and restore its overall look and feel. Skin that is healthy, glowing and blemish-free? Yes, please.
Shop at:averraglow.comand amazon.com
Avre
Shop at:avrelife.com
Awe Inspired
Shop at:aweinspired.com
AYR
Shop at:ayr.com
BaubleBar
Shop at:baublebar.com
Birdies
Flats that are secretly slippers? Yes, please! Bianca Gates and Marisa Sharkey founded Birdies in 2015 to create stylishandcomfortable footwear that women can wear at home and beyond. Each pair of flats is made with the brand’s signature seven-layer technology for soles so comfortable, you feel like you’re walking on clouds. Birdies shoes havegraced the feet of celebritieslikeMeghan Markleand Sarah Jessica Parker.
Shop at:birdies.com
Blueland
You don’t need to rely on single-use plastic when cleaning your home thanks to Sarah Paiji Yoo’s company, Blueland. Her brand reimagined a variety of products, from hand soap to laundry detergent to toilet cleaners, as concentrated tablets and powders that can be dissolved in reusable containers. The result? Nearly 2 billion single-use plastic bottles eliminated from landfills and oceans since 2019, according to Blueland.
Shop at:blueland.com
Briogeo
Shop at: briogeo.comandsephora.com
Cuyana
Shop at:cuyana.com
Draper James
Shop at:draperjames.com
Dudley Stephens
“Dudley Stephens founders (and sisters) Lauren and Kaki took a timeless classic, the turtleneck, and reimagined it, making it even more versatile. Their line features recycled materials and incredibly comfy, cozy fabrics. As someone who’s always cold, I reach for mine all the time. I’ll throw it on with a pair of leggings in the morning to run out and grab coffee, and then pair it with jeans to wear to the office. I love that everything is easy and comfortable, but polished, so I look put together with zero effort.”
—Jessica Mattern, commerce editorial director
Shop at:dudley-stephens.com
Gigi Pip
Shop at:gigipip.com
Hero Cosmetics
—Nina Huang, lifestyle commerce writer
Shop at:herocosmetics.us
Isa Tapia
Shop at:isatapia.com
Jennie Kwon
Shop at:jenniekwondesigns.com
Kinn
Jennie Yoon launched her fine jewelry company, Kinn, in 2017. Based out of Los Angeles, she specializes in “modern heirlooms” that are meant to last a lifetime. Kinn’s pieces use 100 percent solid, recycled gold and feature certified, conflict-free gemstones.
Shop at:kinnstudio.com
Kitty & Vibe
TikTok-famous swimwear company Kitty & Vibe is known for its colorful prints and inclusive size range. But did you know that founder Cameron Armstrong created the company with a never-before-seen sizing tool that offers two revolutionary sizes to fit big and small bums more comfortably? With new “vibes” coming out every season, you might want to stock up on these flattering swimsuits before they sell out (again!).
Shop at:kittyandvibe.com
Knickey
Shop at:knickey.com
Lana Jewelry
“So many celebs have worn Lana Jewelry’s statement hoops and delicate chains (Beyoncé,Jennifer Lopez, Madonna,Miranda Lambertand Cameron Diaz… to name just a few!) but for us Chicagoans, Lana Bramlette is just a local girl made good. And what she’s made is really good — I always have my eye on something I’m saving up for, and I’ve worn some pieces of hers for more than a decade.”
—Alex Apatoff, executive editor
Shop at:lanajewlery.comand nordstrom.com
Left On Friday
Shop at:leftonfriday.com
Live Tinted
“Live Tinted founder Deepica Mutyala is a human gem, and her passion for showcasing under-represented beauty standards comes through in every product the brand launches. Itsmineral sunscreenis one of the most lightweight I’ve ever tried, and itsdark circle-canceling Huesticksmake under-eye shadows effectively disappear. The latter features squalane, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E to moisturize away crepiness, so it’s all pros, no cons.”
—Rachel Nussbaum, commerce beauty editor
Shop at:livetinted.comand ulta.com
M.M. LaFleur
Shop at:mmlafleur.com
Ma’am Shoes
—Jennifer Chan, commerce writer
Shop at:maamshoes.com
Monica Vinader
Shop at:monicaviander.comand nordstrom.com
Naghedi
“I own dozens of cute bags, but I wear my Naghedi the most. In addition to being super cute, it’s also sustainably made from woven recycled and reclaimed neoprene. Plus, it manages to look almost brand new even after months of water bottle leaks, granola bar crumbs and lip gloss explosions.”
—Andrea Lavinthal, style and beauty director
Shop at:naghedinyc.com
Olive & June
“Olive & June has revolutionized the at-home manicure and pedicure experiences. Both the Mani and Pedi Systems come with all the tools you need to clean, shape and polish your nails, and the brand has created countless video tutorials to guide you every step of the way. As someone who started using these systems a couple years ago, I can confirm that I went from covering my fingers in polish and immediately smudging my nails to giving myself next-level manis and pedis that rival any salon.”
—Eden Lichterman, commerce writer
Shop at:oliveandjune.com
Omsom
Shop at:omsom.com
Ouai
—Ariel Scotti, commerce partnerships editor and strategist
Shop at:theouai.com
Parachute
Hotel-quality sheets are hard to find at a reasonable price point. That’s why Ariel Kaye created Parachute, a sustainably made home brand with incredibly soft bed sheets, luxurious robes and supportive pillows. It’s since expanded its offerings to include furniture, home decor and rugs.
Shop at:parachutehome.com
Parade
Parade is the inclusive, eco-friendly underwear brand the world didn’t know it needed. According to founder and CEO Cami Téllez, its goal is to “rewrite the American underwear story” with super soft undies in a range of stylish colors, textures and silhouettes, all of which are made from recycled fabric. Prices start at $8, and every pair is available in sizes up to 3X.
Shop at:yourparade.com
P.F. Flyers
P.F. Flyers is a classic American shoe brand known for its iconic high-quality sneakers that are built to last. In 1993, a new generation became fans of the high-tops when they were endorsed in the cult classic coming-of-age filmThe Sandlotfor their ability to make the wearer “run faster” and “jump higher.” The brand is a now female-owned company with Kassia Davis as the owner, CEO, and executive chairwoman. Since acquiring the company in 2021, Davis has reimagined and transformed the company into a breakout brand for a trendsetting generation that celebrates all individuals as she leads an all-female executive team charged with bringing P.F. Flyers into the female sneaker realm.
Shop at:pfflyers.com
Pink Moon
Shop at:pinkmoon.co
R. Turbow Leather
Shop at:rturbowleather.com
Rafi Nova
Shop at:rafinova.com
Reina Rebelde
Shop at:reinarebelde.com
Richer Poorer
Shop at:richer-poorer.com
Rizos Curls
Shop at:rizocurls.com
Saie
Laney Crowell launched Saie Beauty as a way to make “specifically clean makeup that’s well, cool.” From itsHydrabeam Under Eye Concealer, which hasgone viral on TikTok, to itsSlip Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer, all products are made free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, talc, and more. The brand is also committed tovarious sustainability practices, like donating a portion of proceeds to environmental non-profits and using recyclable packaging.
Shop at:saiehello.com
Seemore Meats & Veggies
Shop at:eatseemore.com
Shoott
Shop at:shoott.com
Soft Services
Shop at:softservices.co
Spanx
Shop at:spanx.com
Stella Valle
Sisters, veterans, West Point graduates andShark Tankwinners, Ashley Dellavalle Jung and Paige Dellavalle Walker, created this line of affordable modern charm jewelry with the intention to inspire women through fashion and give them an accessible way to accessorize. Customize your own stack of bracelets with the brand’s array of pretty bands.
Shop at:stellavalle.com
Strange Bird
Shop at:strangebirdbeauty.com
Summersalt
Shop at:summersalt.com
Supergoop!
Shop at:supergoop.com
TA3 Swimwear
“There’s a lot to love about TA3 swimsuits. This size-inclusive, body-positive line creates sculpting suits that hold you in and carve out a waistline thanks to its double-compression fabric and sturdy lace-up design in the back. I love everything this brand stands for and have never felt more confident in a swimsuit.”
Shop at:ta3swim.com
Tower 28 Beauty
Founder Amy Liu set out to create a line of products safe for sensitive skin based on her own struggles with eczema, and the result is Tower 28’s gentle makeup that looks as good on Instagram as it would on your skin. Its extensive “blacklist” of no-no ingredients for its skincare and makeup follow the guidelines of the National Eczema Association and even meet the stringent ingredient regulations of the European Union.
Shop at:tower28beauty.com
Tula
Shop at:tula.com and amazon.com
Wolven
Shop at:wolventhreads.com
Do you love a good deal?Sign up for PEOPLE’s Shopping newsletterto stay up to date on the latest sales, plus celebrity fashion, home decor and more.
source: people.com
