As a woman-owned and run business and in honor of women's history month, we dedicate this blog post to the importance of supporting women-owned businesses, local to global.

A brief history…

Women’s Day Banner, C. 1975.
History.com

Women's history month was born out of an organized rally in New York City in 1909, where thousands of activists gathered to put forward the idea that a woman's place was in the entire country, not just in the home. On March 8th, 1911, the United Nations created International Women’s Day to celebrate the economic, political, and social achievements of women. By 1987, the United States congress had expanded National Women's Week in March to a month-long celebration. Every U.S President has marked March as Women's History Month since 1995.

Today, there are 13 million women-owned businesses in the United States - a significant leap from 402,000 in 1972. While women-owned businesses continue to grow, women entrepreneurs face tremendous challenges compared to their male counterparts. According to Boston Consulting Group Analysis, women are more limited in investment capital, receiving more than one million dollars less than men on average. Additionally, 40% of female founders lack advisors and mentors, which proves to be an added obstacle to growth. Despite these challenges, women who run their own businesses generate 10% more revenue in five years than men do. Women-owned businesses also tend to have happier employees and a more diverse work environment.

It’s not stretch of the imagination to realize that if we put our dollars towards supporting women-owned businesses, closing the revenue and employment gap, we could encourage a more diverse, well-balanced economy and a world where women feel empowered to own their own businesses. When you support women-owned businesses, you are putting your cash back into the communities in which you live, work, and play. According to Buy Women Owned, a company that supports women in business, women reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families and communities, compared to 40% for men.

Now - more than ever before in my lifetime - has the recognition and celebration of women’s achievements in the face of adversity held such magnitude. Women have always overcome great adversity in spite of what the world says and it is our true belief that when you “invest in a woman, you change the world”.

As a woman-owned and run business, we’re especially proud that over 80% of our artisan partners are women. Their creativity, ingenuity and heart fills our space with constant inspiration.

We invite you to check out this beautifully handcrafted work for yourself and support a woman-owned business supporting women.

written and compiled by: ava lypps, shop guide.

edited by: corrie williams, founder + owner.