Shop TODAY editors and our travel experts alike happily recommend Dagne Dover’s functional bags. Travel pro Summer Hull, for example, tells us that she can vouch for the brand’s neoprene diaper backpack for its thoughtfully designed, water-resistant material and that it has all the pockets for phones, laptops and more. Mom and sales editor Rebecca Brown even gave “new life” to hers, using it for travel. Prospect Jam Co. was inspired by pastry chef and founder Emily Hutton’s time at a local patisserie in Columbus, Ohio, where she grew to love the craft of preserving. Super Smalls’s mission to bring the whimsy and carefree of childhood to the beauty and luxury of jewelry was something that immediately drew our eyes. And there was no one better to put this into action than founder Maria Dueñas Jacobs, who melded her skilled eye for ornate artisan objects with her passion for her kids and their sense of play. To help, we gathered some of our favorite female-led brands’ best sales and promotions before the month ends so you can take action now.
BEAUTY AWARDSSee who won in various categories in Shop TODAY’s first ever Beauty Awards.
Through certification, gain access to a vast network of support, targeted business opportunities, increased visibility, and resources to grow your business. WBENC hosts the country’s go-to events for women-owned businesses and those who do business with them. Lil Bucks founder Emily Griffith first stumbled upon sprouted buckwheat seeds as a grain-free granola replacement in Australia. She wanted to bring buckwheat, a fruit seed that comes from the buckwheat flower, to the U.S. and did so by establishing her company in 2018.
Seventy-one percent plan to expand their business over the next year 56% plan to hire more employees on the next 12 months, up from 44% last year. Of 146 total bidders on all awarded projects, 14 were from women-owned and 14 were from minority-owned businesses − representing 10% each of total contract seekers.
Read more about Inclusive branding strategies here.
Crush-worthy Women-owned Brands
You’ll have no trouble finding beautiful murals, linens, or even lampshades. Many of the wall murals are available in a range of sizes, and they’re easy to apply and reposition. When Lisa Hu started Lux & Nyx, the goal was to create handbags that aren’t just fashionable, but truly functional for the woman on the go. Their uniquely designed backpack isn’t solely a book bag, but the detachable crossbody can also convert into a clutch or belt bag. And the origami tote doesn’t just have a fun design, but it’s made of durable neoprene material and has an expandable style, making it great for travel. Otherwild’s LGBTQ+ founder Rachel Berk is committed to supporting grassroots activists and social justice movements and sustainability. The shop sells plastic-free home products such as bamboo toothbrushes, dental floss refills, and compostable soap holders and holds in-store refill stations for bath and body items to reduce waste.
Choose between wall decals and even a few fabric samples that can be added to the walls or even framed. Throughout the month of March, TODAY.com is celebrating women across generations who have made history and continue to move the conversation forward by breaking stigmas, sparking dialogue and inspiring the next generation.