With Thanksgiving now reduced to the good memories of family, food and expanded waistlines, many of us will now shift to shopping. Today is known as “Black Friday”. While the term has its origins in a significantly darker history; this year, almost more than ever, I want to encourage Black people to make it a true Black Friday, by supporting Black owned businesses.
There are many ways to do this but I’m a believer of using our economic power in as many ways as possible. When we use our buying power, we strengthen Black owned businesses. When we strengthen Black owned businesses, we strengthen their Black families and the Black Community, as a whole. As a mom, I want to do anything I can to strengthen Black families and the Black community.
In that light, during this holiday season, I’m using my platform to spotlight some Black owned business and charitable organizations I’ve found. Since you know I love self-care and pampering products; (What can I say? I’m a diva at heart but not in attitude!) I wanted to start in the bath care arena.
I’m featuring two young sisters who help define Black Girl Magic and who have businesses with items that would make perfect holiday gifts.
Lavish Soap FL
Let’s face it, were staying indoors a lot more and with winter on the way, that’s likely to increase. That makes it the perfect time to help make your bathroom feel like a spa by filling it with luxurious bath products for you and your family to enjoy. With a variety of self-care products ranging from soap, to lip balm, to a Deluxe Men’s Grooming Beard Box; Lavish Soap FL offers something for the whole family to enjoy.
Shanae Weems is the owner and founder of Lavish Soap FL.
She started her business when she was experiencing postpartum depression after the birth of her son in August of 2017. She researched crafts, hobbies and DIY things to do as a mental escape. She came across soap making and the rest is “herstory”!
Lavish Soap FL offers a variety of fragrance infused soaps and scrubs that offer lasting scents and nourishing essential oils your nose and skin will love! Shanae encourages you to fill your whole house with lavish aromas to create the vibe of calmness and serenity. I know I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my wonderfully scented soaps from Lavish Soap FL and look forward to buying more this holiday season!
You can find the “scentsations” of Lavish Soap FL on her Etsy site. Be sure to follow her business journey on Instagram @lavishsoapfl.
Shop As Well
Here’s another Black woman owned small business with a specialty in self-care products. Shop As Well sells non-toxic intentional handcrafted body soaps and organic herbal bath teas.
The founder, Charisse, started on this business path during a difficult time battling her mental health. As an outlet, she found her passion for creating products with purposeful ingredients that help others contribute with the intention they want for their own lives.
I haven’t had a chance to try her products yet but I definitely plan to this holiday season. I know someone who did, who shared this testimony, “I’ve personally ordered the herbal bath tea, and I kid you not, the UPS driver asked me what was inside because he smelled the herbs from inside the sealed package!”
Ummm, yeah, I want that!
Follow her brand on her journey through Instagram @shopaswell.
These are only two business but there are plenty more. Platforms such as “We Buy Black” and “Official Black Wall Street” can assist you in finding a Black owned business to support, no matter your shopping needs. This great article from one of my favorite magazines, Good Housekeeping has a list of over 5o Black owned business with products on which they put their Seal of Approval.
In today’s world, it’s easy enough to find Black owned businesses. Now, we have to support them, so let’s make it a true Black Friday!
Do you know a great Black owned business? Mention them in the comments below! (Family friendly only, please!)
