5 Small Woman-Owned Businesses to Support During a Pandemic
By: Casey Harding-Brown
Let’s be real. Life isn’t going back to “normal” anytime soon. But hey, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy life’s simple pleasures! Whether you’re looking to relax with some elevating herb blends, awaken your senses with a hand-poured rose-infused candle, treat your skin to a mini facial, or get your body moving, we have you covered.
These 5 women small owned businesses are a perfect place to support during AND after a pandemic.
Herbal Expression
Want to take your facial (or vaginal! Yes, you heard that right-vaginal!) steam to the next level? Check out Herbal Expression, created by San Diego living Ivory Melone. She has herbal blends for both steaming and smoking and creates resin art as well. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day or enhance your inner goddess, Herbal Expression has you covered.
Ivory is a certified IIN Health Coach and Yoga teacher. Through her personal journey, she has steered towards plant medicine and natural remedies to heal and support her healthy lifestyle.
She displays her love for plant medicine through herbal blends. These blends elevate your self-care rituals and allow you to reconnect and recenter. Whether that be from stress and depression or acne from hormonal imbalances, her blends will allow you to find the balance you have been looking for.
She specializes in herbal facial steams, yoni (vaginal) steams, and smoking blends. Her mission is to empower women to connect with their inner goddess and to also support those on their own healing journey with herbs.
Laura Johnston Personal Training
It’s not breaking news that working out has been proven to have not only physical but mental benefits as well. It’s important, now more than ever, to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect our mental and physical health. LJ’s training program makes this feasible by being online and personalized to your health history and goals.
Her mission is to empower young women to become their strongest, most confident selves both physically and mentally. After experiencing an ACL injury as a college basketball player, LJ realized the lack of education provided to women in regards to anatomy and fitness. Her goal is to put more emphasis on proper techniques for a variety of different exercises like weight training, plyometrics, and functional training. She knows firsthand how vital providing a safe training program for females is. She wants to empower women to live a healthy lifestyle that reflects into their personal and professional lives. Strong body, strong mind! Check out her instagram sweat_ljfe for workout tips, inspo and personal consultation to start your workout journey!
Missy Fresques Yoga
Another amazing workout to boost your body and mind is yoga. Through her daily, donation-based, zoom yoga classes, Missy Fresques provides the perfect balance of strengthening, stretching and relaxation.
Missy’s teaching journey started in her hometown, Boulder Colorado, where she obtained her 200hr Yoga Certification and Yoga Sculpt Certification. She was drawn to yoga because of the physical and mental practice but also the spiritual connection. After falling love with the practice she wanted to share it with everyone that crossed her path. Missy has been teaching for almost a decade now and says it has completely changed her life in the most positive way possible.
However, it wasn’t until recently that she says to have discovered a new layer of herself. A stronger, more confident and compassionate person. “The pandemic has challenged me in a way I never imagined, as it has for many. It has changed the daily routine for me and ultimately has put our world on pause. In the light of all the chaos, I have embraced what I love to do. Give back, spread love, laugh, smile, practice, teach yoga. The best medicine for me is not only my own yoga practice but having the ability to share it with the community. I asked myself how can continue to do this? Virtual yoga. We may not be practicing mat-to-mat in the studio but we are holding space for each other! During time it is so important to practice self-love and self-awareness. We are all connected through our practice in one way or another and it is key that we pause, take a collective inhale and a grounding exhale.”
Find her online classes at and missyfreques.com follow her Instagram @missblissyoga to stay up to date.
Fig & Olive
There really is nothing like starting the day with smooth glowing skin! Fig and Olive will make you feel as good on the outside as their story and mission does on the inside.
Founded by two best friend moms and their daughters, their mission is to provide quality and affordable skincare products to all while giving back! As female founders, they feel very committed to empowering women through charitable contributions from the proceeds of their sales. They are looking to expand Fig and Olive so they can create a larger impact with their proceeds. Currently they are extremely involved with Lighthouse PATH in Pontiac, Michigan, a safe house for women and children that are typically homeless, jobless, and often a product of domestic violence.
To support these women, they donate many soaps, scrubs and hygienic products to bring dignity and a sense of confidence. They also partner with Humble Design, an organization that helps families and veterans emerging from homelessness. By purchasing household/furniture pieces with their product proceeds they help these empty houses become warm homes! So far they have furnished five apartments and they aren’t looking to stop anytime soon.
Candles by Jay
It’s my firm opinion every woman loves a good candle. What you might not love so much are the questionable ingredients you will often find in your store-bought candles. Ever light a candle and experience a headache shortly after? Yeah, that’s not a coincidence. Candles by Jay (@CandlesbyJay) uses ingredients that are safe for you AND the environment (we have another win-win people!) I personally have five in my apartment and can safely say I have never seen such beautiful candles that smell equally as exquisite. It truly is an art!
JayLynn McDaniel is the Owner and Creator of CandlesbyJay. She's a 20- something-year-old Colorado native currently residing in Aurora, CO with a strong connection and pride to her mixed Black & Filipino ancestry. JayLynn is a manifesting, published Model, sushi loving, crystal and candle obsessed Pisces with a deep love and affinity for Art, Beauty, Literature, Food, Fashion and Film.
CandlesbyJay was created in the midst of her own spiritual journey and awakening. She takes inspiration from the metaphysical wonders and beauty of crystals, flowers, herbs, plants, nature, and astrology- the study of celestial bodies that have a great influence on our human affairs and the natural world.
She believes in magic, love, and the well being and healing of your mind, body, heart, and soul. CandlesbyJay is another outlet for her to connect, relate, and share the feel-good vibes and loving energy she infuses into all of her products. She hopes you "Manifest your Miracles" as well! Order on her new website by clicking here.
