Small Businesses to Support in the AAPI Community Now and Always
If you're looking for an impactful way to support Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the community, try purchasing some products from some of their incredible small businesses. It's a way to show our support while discovering new, innovative brands with hardworking artisans and creatives at the forefront. Below, we've curated a list of exceptional AAPI-owned small businesses—ranging across all industries from beauty to housewares—that you should know about and shop from, now and always.
Omsom
Established by two sisters, Vanessa and Kim Pham, Omsom pairs brightly colored packaging with high-quality ingredients and delicious flavors to bring authentic Asian cooking to your kitchen. Available in Southeastern Asian and Eastern Asian cuisines, the easy-to-use starters create a whole slew of delicious dishes like Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ Pork Shoulder, Japanese Eggplant Yuzu Misoyaki, and more.
Blueland
After having her first child, Sarah Paiji Yoo decided to create Blueland in an effort to have a greater impact on reducing plastic consumption. Included in the product roster is a wide range of cleaning sprays, soaps, laundry detergents, and dish soap within reusable containers that only need to be purchased once.
Botanica Workshop
Botanica Workshop came into existence after Misa Miyagawa, the brand's founder, set out to develop responsibly produced intimates with a designer quality and aesthetic. By partnering with local artisans and technicians in Los Angeles, California, the brand creates small production runs of their pieces with organic and sustainable materials.
Cocofloss
After expressing her frustration over her patient's lack of flossing, Dr. Chrystele Cu and her sister, Catherine Cu, banded together to start Cocofloss. Designed with the idea that flossing doesn't have to be a hassle, each floss is crafted in compostable packaging with coconut oil, fruit oils, and vegan wax to ensure that getting into those tight spots is as easy as can be. Plus, they're available in a wide variety of flavors, including Delicious Mint, Fresh Coconut, and Vanilla Bean.
Windy Chien
After quitting her job at Apple to pursue creative ventures, Windy Chien found a love in weaving sculptural macrame. Her DNA double helix resembling designs range from wall hangings to installations that fill rooms, with no two identical as each is customized and created by Chien herself.
Skylar Natural Perfumes
Cat Chen founded Skylar with a particular vision in mind: to create hypoallergenic fragrances. The brand offers innovative scents ranging from Magic Bloom to Sun Shower made with clean, conscious ingredients. Since its establishment, the brand has further expanded into lotions, candles, and more. We're particularly fond of the Vanilla Sky fragrance and Coral Body Lotion.
Tower 28
After suffering from eczema for her entire life, Amy Liu established Tower 28 as a safe haven for those with sensitive, problem skin. The brand's products are all established with calming, nourishing, non-toxic ingredients so that all skin types can safely use the makeup and skincare. Just one swipe of the ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly or BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm, and you'll fall in love.
The Sill
Eliza Blank's plant company, The Sill is an ode to the premise that plants make people happy. She shares on the company's website, "plants create time and space to nurture yourself. If you're not making time for them, you're probably not making time for yourself either."
Material
Eunice and Dave Byun established Material with the goal of providing regular, home-chefs with kitchenware that's both modern and functional. Behind each product is sharp design, smart curation, and sensible value to create world-class products without the steep price tag.
IF & CO
Founded in 2004 in Los Angeles, CA, IF & Co. is a family-owned and operated jewelry business established by Ben Baller and Steve Her. Each piece of jewelry is created in-house with the family involved in each step of the creation process from start to finish.
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