Chicago-Based, Female-Owned Small Businesses to Shop This Holiday Season & Beyond
Small businesses need so much love this holiday season, but female-owned small businesses need it even more. And because we are always here for the girls, we have highlighted four Chicago-based, female-owned small businesses that truly make a difference. These brands have proven that offering quality products, running an environmentally conscious brand, and excellent customer care, is not only a definite recipe for success but also brand respect and longevity. We hope you support them this holiday season and beyond.
Bon Femmes
Omotola Akinbiyi kicked off Bon Femmes in 2015 after realizing how unrepresented women were in the art world. Bon Femmes is a digital storefront featuring art, beauty products and home decor that is all made by women. The digital storefront adds new items monthly, ranging from prints to candles, and Akinbiyi donates a portion of her proceeds to female-run charities. The art is incredible and unique.
Equilibria
This female-owned, Chicago-based small business sells CBD products for women. Their products range from drops and softgels, to creams, ointments and bath products, and are created using premium, fully traceable CBD from an 1,100 acre farm in Colorado. One of the most important aspects of the Equilibria brand is their understanding that female bodies are different, from cyclical changes to the very real challenges of menopause and childbirth and everything in-between. So they offer custom formulations, cutting-edge hemp extraction techniques, and production optimized for consistency and quality. The company also offers dosage specialists to help customers find the best balance from each Equilibria product. Full disclosure: I’ve used their subscription service in the past which included the daily softgels and drops, and the products truly make a difference. I felt calmer, more centered and in control.
Dana Rebecca Designs
Jewelry designer Dana Rebecca creates timeless fine jewelry that women love to wear daily. She finds inspiration from women in her life and offers pieces made out of 14k gold, diamonds, and gemstones, that truly last forever. The brand truly has some of the most beautiful pieces you’d lay eyes one. And, considering the quality materials used, prices are very reasonable. A favorite for the holidays is the Lulu Jack Bezel Bar Necklace. It’s spectacular.
Alice & Wonder
Owner Ali Reff started Alice & Wonder in 2015 after leaving her job in corporate PR. She had been in Chicago since 2008 and had began to discover that while it’s one of the best cities for fashion, the lifestyle came with a price tag. The constant feeling of needing to pay rent vs. needing the newest handbag, pushed her to open Alice & Wonder. The brand offers “the good stuff:” from apparel, accessories and kids items, to home and gifts. The store also has the best Chicago gear, trust us on this one.
