Looking to support queer women-owned businesses while treating yourself to something special? From beauty and fragrance to spices and coffee, these five brands are making waves with high-quality products and a commitment to inclusivity. Here’s your guide to shopping with purpose and celebrating the inspiring women behind these standout companies.
The Barb Shop
The Barb Shop is a queer-owned beauty brand dedicated to helping people with short hair express themselves through their style. Their signature product, the Soft Clay Pomade, is a cult favorite formulated with natural waxes and plant proteins for a long-lasting hold without any stiffness or stickiness.
But The Barb Shop offers more than just exceptional products. They’ve also created the “Barb Tailors” map, an online resource that connects users with inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly hair salons that use and love Barb products. This invaluable tool helps queer and trans individuals find barbers who understand their needs and celebrate their identities, making the often daunting task of finding a welcoming salon much easier.
Diaspora Co
Sana Javeri Kadri, who grew up in India surrounded by vibrant flavors, was disappointed by the bland turmeric that became popular in the U.S. Determined to share the true taste of fresh spices, she founded Diaspora Co. in 2017. Her vision was to elevate spices to the same level of appreciation as coffee and wine.
Starting with just one type of turmeric, Diaspora Co. now offers over 30 single-origin, heirloom spices sourced directly from 150 farms across India and Sri Lanka. Kadri personally visits these farms to ensure the quality of growing and harvesting practices. Committed to freshness, she guarantees that all spices are sold within a year of harvest. Beyond spices, Diaspora Co. also offers vibrant kitchenware, like farmers’ market totes and traditional tools like brass masala dabbas, celebrating the culinary traditions of India and its neighboring countries.
Pink House Alchemy
Emily Lawson, a passionate advocate for fresh, flavorful food, founded Pink House Alchemy in a charming century-old building. This LGBTQ+ women-owned and operated company is dedicated to crafting exceptional syrups, bitters, and shrubs using a “farm to bottle” approach. This means they prioritize locally sourced ingredients and natural processes, ensuring the highest quality and freshest flavors in every bottle.
Inspired by the intricate interplay between different flavor profiles, Pink House Alchemy’s creations are born from a deep understanding of how fruits, herbs, barks, and botanicals complement and enhance one another. Their expert blending results in unique and complex flavor bombs that elevate any beverage or culinary creation.
Moodeaux
Moodeaux, the award-winning fragrance brand, is revolutionizing the way we experience scent. Founded by former investigative journalist Brianna Arps in 2021, Moodeaux champions inclusivity and explores the profound connection between fragrance, emotion, and memory.
Arps created Moodeaux to address the lack of Black-owned fragrance brands and to delve into the transformative power of scent on our moods. Currently, the brand offers two captivating fragrances: Worthy, a delicate blend of white tea, orange blossom, red rose, and lavender; and Punkstar, a bold fusion of apple, black currant, and raspberry.
Equator Coffees
For over 25 years, Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell have led Equator Coffees, building a successful business grounded in community and inclusivity.
This commitment to inclusivity extends throughout Equator Coffees’ entire business model. They advocate for fair wages and ethical treatment of coffee farmers, strive to create positive and supportive work environments for their employees, and foster welcoming cafe spaces that embrace the whole community.
Equator Coffees offers a diverse selection of coffee products, from blends and espressos to instant coffee, along with essential brewing equipment like grinders, filters, and mugs. Each product reflects their dedication to both quality and their core values of inclusivity and respect.
