To commemorate International Women’s Day and Women's History Month, we've come up with a shortlist of woman-owned businesses that are working to make a difference in the world. From sexual health and wellness to size inclusivity, here are six female-founded brands to check out this week.
Bloomi
Co-founded by renowned sexologist Rebecca Alvarez, Bloomi is the very first Latinx sexual wellness brand to be stocked in Target. Bloomi specializes in producing and promoting plant-based sexual wellness and self-care essentials. Some stand-out products include the Play mini vibrator and the Induldge double-sided vibrator.
"As the co-founder and CEO of Bloomi as well as an experienced Latina sexologist, I find it important for women to be in tune with themselves,” Alvarez told Mashable. “I started Bloomi as a way to show that sex and sexuality shouldn't be difficult to discuss or attain — we are all allowed to have satisfying sex lives. Sexual wellness is still a taboo topic in our society. However, by normalizing conversations around it, I hope all women, especially women of color like myself, can feel empowered to embrace their sexuality and make more informed decisions about their bodies."
Remedium
Six years ago, Sophie Offit started making candles as a way to relax. But after her daughter was born prematurely, Offit became aware of harsh ingredients in everyday products — including candles. In hopes of creating a safer world for her daughter, Offit started fiddling with the idea of creating all-natural candles. After months of trial and error, Remedium was born.
Many scented candles are full of chemicals including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, just to name a few. Remedium candles, however, are homemade, naturally derived, and eco-friendly — even the jars are reusable and sealed with a sustainable cork lid.
Contents Hair Care
Founded by celebrity hair stylist Cheryl Bergamy, Contents Hair Care puts nutrition at the forefront. These products are made with plant-based ingredients that are designed to nourish your hair and promote relaxation through aromatherapy.
The scalp conditioning cream, for example, features active herbs such as lemongrass, red clover, and tea tree, while blending scents of lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and cedar wood.
Jøyus Non-Alcoholic Wine
Following the pandemic, the “sober curious” movement swept the nation — more and more people are choosing to live their lives sans alcohol. In the midst of it, Jessica Selander decided to create a line of non-alcoholic wine that tastes just as good (if not better) than the real stuff.
Whether you’re pregnant and keeping it a secret or you’re simply not drinking, Jøyus takes the pressure off by giving you the chance to participate in social events without standing out.
Measure & Made
Founded by Beatrice Purdy, Measure & Made is a unique clothing company that uses ShapeLogic™ to create tailor-made sizes for each customer. From jeans to shorts, Measure & Made sells a variety of bottoms. To ensure shoppers get the right fit, the site prompts visitors to take a short quiz about their size and shape. They then receive a personalized size number to use when shopping.
“International Women's Day is a time to celebrate and uplift women and to recognize those forging change, whether in their industry or on a more local level,” Purdy told Mashable. “As a proud female founder, I started Measure & Made with a mission to give every woman the confidence she deserves by celebrating her natural beauty, talent, and personal power. Our pants are powered by ShapeLogic™, a patented technology built off different sizes, shapes, ages, and ethnicities, that takes a woman’s size and shape into account.”
Maya Brenner
In 1998, Maya Brenner, the founder of Maya Brenner Jewelry, started making wire-wrapped jewelry as a hobby. It was a way to relieve stress and distract herself from her social work job in New York. Before she knew it, her hobby became a full-blown company — so she packed up and moved to California to pursue jewelry making.
“International Women’s Day is about celebrating and truly supporting each other,” Brenner told Mashable. “As a boss, I want to continue giving back to my employees (almost all of them are female!) by providing opportunities for them to grow and excel in their careers. I've been able to help many women in my life achieve their goals through mentorship and encouragement,” Brenner continues. “In 2020, Nyakio Grieco and I collaborated on a Unity line of jewelry, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting charities that celebrate, amplify, and support black voices."
