Women-owned businesses have been growing at nearly twice the rate of male-owned businesses in recent years. These eight female-founded brands not only lead with purpose but also give back in powerful ways. Discover our curated picks and support women who are changing the game.
Here For You Clothing
Ellie Haney founded Here For You Clothing at the height of the pandemic. In one of her darkest moments, she transformed her pain into creative energy by designing meaningful apparel. “Here for you” was a phrase Haney and her best friend, now managing partner, Emma Kilbride, often said to one another during tough times. Today, Here For You Clothing carries that message forward, promoting mental health awareness and donating 10 percent of proceeds to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Haney also uses her voice beyond the brand, regularly speaking on college campuses to spark honest conversations about mental health.
Saltair
Iskra Lawrence launched Saltair in 2022 with a mission rooted in body diversity and self-acceptance. A British model and outspoken advocate for body diversity, Lawrence is also known for her work as an AerieREAL model and as an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association. Saltair offers a line of signature scents, featuring a full range of products that include skincare, deodorant and haircare. All products are vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free. Lawrence built the brand on four key principles: inclusiveness, effectiveness, sustainability and transparency. The brand partners with organizations like Plastic Bank (removing single-use plastics from the environment), One Tree Planted (restoring vulnerable ecosystems) and the Trevor Project (supporting suicide and crisis prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. Click here to learn more about Saltair’s commitment to giving back.
Thinx
Thinx was founded in 2013 by three female entrepreneurs: Miki Agrawal, Radha Agrawal and Antonia Saint Dunbar, as the first brand to offer absorbent period underwear. Now owned by Kimberly-Clark, Thinx remains women-led and committed to its mission. Maria Molland Sleby became CEO in 2017 and has since gotten Thinx products on the shelves of big-box stores like Target and Walmart. The brand offers inclusive sizing, uses safe, high-quality materials and supports young girls and women in need. In 2023 alone, Thinx partnered with like-minded organizations to donate over 185,000 pairs of underwear. Beyond the products, the brand works to break the stigma around menstrual health by providing free education resources and guides through its GetBodyWise campaign.
Molly’s Suds
Monica Leonard started Molly’s Suds in 2008 after her daughter, Molly, was stillborn. Leonard investigated every possible cause and discovered that everyday cleaning products are more harmful than most people realize. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that many cleaning products contain toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made chemicals used for their stain-preventing and waterproofing properties that build up in our bodies and in the environment. Small doses of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems and immune issues. As a pediatric nurse, she was horrified by her findings and launched Molly’s Suds to offer laundry and household cleaning products free of harmful chemicals.
Each product lists every ingredient and the reason for its use. The company actively partners with The Laundry Project, helping lower-income families get the support they need. Each year, Molly’s Suds donates thousands of bottles of laundry detergent to the foundation. Additionally, every year, employees are required to spend at least one day volunteering for The Laundry Project to help families around Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida. Click here to learn more about the company’s resources and partnerships.
Snag Tights
Brie Read launched Snag Tights in 2017 with a mission to create inclusive, comfortable tights for all body types. What began as a clothing store solely for tights has grown into a thriving fashion brand offering a wide range of styles. The brand is rooted in values of sustainability, fair wages and “fair fashion,” meaning no item of theirs ever ends up in a landfill. The brand also takes a community-first approach and hires real customers, not models, to showcase products. Items that are unwanted or returned get donated to the Hey Girls Charity to provide clothing and support women and girls as they prepare for job opportunities. The charity also distributes menstrual products to those in need. Click here to learn about the company’s “fair fashion” practices and how they give back to their community.
Bon Femmes
Bon Femmes is a Chicago-based shop dedicated to celebrating female artists and designers. The shop offers a thoughtfully curated selection of women-owned products across beauty, home goods, stationery and more. Founded in 2019 by Omotola Akinbiyi, the brand began as an online shop with a mission to celebrate and support women-led businesses. While Bon Femmes doesn’t manufacture its products, it proudly distributes and highlights goods created by female entrepreneurs. A portion of every sale goes toward women-led charities dedicated to supporting the local community. In 2021, Bon Femmes expanded its impact by opening its first brick-and-mortar store in downtown Chicago.
The Beauty Crop
Ning Cheah founded The Beauty Crop in 2015. She always struggled with eczema, and after a long, high-stress career in investment banking, she developed painful cystic acne. Cheah had a hard time finding clean products that both worked for her skin and wouldn’t break the bank. After coming up short, she launched her brand. Before her career in investment banking, Cheah studied chemical engineering. Leveraging her knowledge helped during product production. The Beauty Crop is a proud sponsor of Ella’s House. This London-based charity provides temporary safe housing for women experiencing trafficking or domestic abuse. The two organizations team up regularly to host events discussing the challenges of domestic abuse and actionable strategies for recovery.
The 7 Virtues
The 7 Virtues is a clean fragrance brand founded by Barb Stegemann. She created The 7 Virtues in 2012 after her best friend, a soldier in the U.S. military, was hurt on his mission to liberate young girls and women in Afghanistan. While he healed, Stegemann began sustainably sourcing natural ingredients for her company, traveling the world to find farmers to support. To Stegemann, sustainable sourcing is a win-win. It allows her to support local farmers in developing countries by creating jobs, while also securing the highest-quality ingredients for her franchise brand. The 7 Virtues also supports Days For Girls and Charity Water, helping to provide menstrual products and clean water to communities in need.
Looking for more brands that give back? Don’t miss our roundup of LGBTQ+‑owned businesses.
Add Comment