Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash
By: Shriya Swaminathan
Tis the Season to be Jolly and Support Small Vegan Businesses
With 2020 coming to its grand finale, it’s safe to say that it’s been a year for the books. Spending over three quarters of it quarantined or socially distanced has called for self-reflections and a sense of gratitude for the relationships in our lives. We have also come to value the importance of supporting small, local, and ethical businesses for ourselves, the community, and our planet. As we enter the season of joy and giving, these incredible businesses need our support more than ever! From scented candles, to hand-crafted decor, we bring you some of our favorite small vegan businesses that will help you spread the holiday cheer with your loved ones!
(Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/beetxbeet/)
If you’re seeking the perfect gift for a streetwear- loving activist, look no further than the ingenious designs at BEETxBEET. The online shop showcases apparel and accessories with a creative spin on vegan activism with bold, thought provoking messaging. Founder Jacky Wasserman is a true pioneer in the concept of using clothing as a medium for spreading consciousness about the choices we make. BEETxBEET extends their mission for a compassionate world by donating a portion of proceeds to animal rights organizations and social justice movements. So not only are you supporting a small, ethical business, but also contributing to the work of organizations that are doing good in the world!
(Image Source: https://www.vegetaryn.com/products/i-come-in-peas-unisex-tee?variant=7951354495006)
We admire companies with fun, creative ways to spread the vegan message. Taryn of Vegetaryn does just that with her “funny and punny” content on her merchandise. Vegetaryn’s merchandise is well known throughout the US and have even made their way to vegan events in London. To parallel the mission of compassion, education, and sustainability, all materials are fairtrade, ethically sourced, and made. The most popular apparel and accessories display familiar designs like the NASA logo or Jurassic Park theme with vegan- centric captions, which are bound to keep the compliments coming!
(Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/vegancandleco/)
This fabulous LGBT and vegan owned business delivers divine scents to the growing number of conscious consumers without compromising on quality. All their candles are made locally in Seattle from non-GMO soy wax. The candle lids are hand-made and plastic- free, their fragrances and essential oils are non-toxic, and even all the labeling and packaging tape is compostable or biodegradable! How neat is that? Founders Sean and Christopher have created a business centering their care for the environment and animals as core values. That passion reflects on every detail of the final product and we absolutely admire that!
(Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/demibluenn/)
DEMIblue was born from Michelle Robinson’s determination to create a line of vegan, cruelty-free nail polish that is free of toxic chemicals. She believes that pampering oneself should not come at the cost of health and we commend that. This Black woman- owned business is thriving in St. Louis but fear not- all nail care products are available for nationwide shipping! Choose from a variety of gorgeous colors for different skin tones, DIY nail art and mani/ pedi kits. Sounds like a perfect deal for an at-home spa day or virtual nail party!
(Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/foxiecosmetics/)
Nothing screams ‘waste’ like buying different products for different needs. Founder of Foxie Cosmetics, Kayla is up for the challenge to create multi-use products that actually work! Fan favorites include colorful bath salts, face masks, refreshing scented soaps, and more- all handcrafted for a personal touch. Having personal experience with a chronic illness led Kayla to fill a void in the beauty space by curating products that soothe our minds and bodies. Here’s a one stop shop for the skin care gurus and relaxing bath lovers in your life!
(Image Source: https://www.plantposseart.com/jewelry.html)
Look no further for adorable gifts to treat your posse! This local Oregon- based business creates a variety of jewelry that caters to an avocado fanatic and coffee aficionado alike. Have a friend who’s always feeling peachy? The peach necklace and earring set could be the perfect present. If a member of your squad is #TeamSweetPotatoFries, don’t fret- you’ll find a fun, ideal present to celebrate everyone’s plant pride! In case spud- themed jewelry wasn’t enough of a selling point, supporting this business also contributes to their donations to animal and human rights charities.
(Image Source: https://www.theveganpotter.com/my-story)
You’re in for an incredible selection of beautifully handcrafted cups, bowls, and decor when you shop at The Vegan Potter. Their items display thoughtful messages, intricate designs, vibrant strokes of color, and so much more! Who doesn’t love a gorgeous handmade, eco-friendly mug for a warm comforting beverage this season? In addition to running her small business, founder and owner Lyndsay Meiklem Dean is paying it forward by mentoring up and coming creatives by helping them put an entrepreneurial spin on their craft.
(Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/thelipbar/)
“There is no standard. You are the standard.” These are the powerful words of The Lip Bar Founder Melissa Butler on beauty. The company is built on the ideals that diversity and inclusion in the beauty business is critical for how we view ourselves. Makeup shouldn’t be a complicated ritual requiring profound skills, but rather, a fun and simple way to express ourselves, feel confident, and get creative! Though the feature on Shark Tank did not pan out, Melissa’s drive to make her mission a reality fuelled her endeavours and resulted in a successful collaboration with Target! You can also shop their online store and see what the magic of representation in beauty is all about!
