This has been a post I have been meaning to write for a while now. I was inspired by a few of my friends who are also bloggers who highlighted some of their favorite local shops and wanted to do one for the Bay Area. During this time I know many businesses are struggling, not just women owned businesses, but for this post that’s who I decided I wanted to highlight. I should also say that I’ve chosen to feature and support small women owned businesses in this post who fit the categories of my blog since of course, that is what you come to me for.
Let me start off by saying that this list is just a short list of small women owned businesses who could use your support during COVID. I decided to try and put a spotlight on some of my favorite shops as well as some of my friends favorite shops around the Bay Area. I also asked for people to send in their favorite Bay Area women run businesses and then from there compiled this short list. If you feel like there is a Bay Area business that I missed that could really use the extra support/shout out please comment the business name below and I will do my best to add them here or at the very least give them a shout out on my instagram stories, as I’ll be sharing them there as well with swipe up links to be able to shop their websites or order a gift card for when they open back up!
Women’s Fashion Boutiques:
Ibiss Boutique, San Jose – Ibiss boutique has such an amazing selection of women’s fashion, jewelry, and accessories. They have a website where you can shop and support your local boutique and they now have curb-side pick up available on Tuesday’s and Friday’s or you can get free shipping on orders over $25 during SIP. If you’re looking for something cute for yourself or maybe a gift for a Grad definitely check out her shop!
Jade Allen Boutique, Capitola – I remember when Jade Allen Boutique first opened! Mason and I were on a walk down to the beach and I noticed her door open so I had to check her boutique out. I absolutely love the brands Sonya carries and her store is so beautiful. I have yet to leave the store empty-handed. The county started opening back up retail and I believe she is now open as of a few days ago but I would call in advance to check on hours.
Kitsch Couture, Los Gatos – I have always loved shopping at this boutique when I’m “over the hill.” They have had to adapt since COVID-19 and have been temporarily closed for months. They now have an online shop so that you can support them by shopping local without leaving your home. They also have gift cards for purchase so that if you want to wait to shop in store when they reopen you can still support them now.
Tipsy Gypsy, Santa Cruz – Tipsy Gypsy is a fairly new store in Santa Cruz and so I really feel for the owner who launched her boutique at the beginning of the year with high hopes, of course. She has her boutique online so you can shop and support her while her brick and mortar store is still temporarily closed. To help adjust to the times she is selling face masks in some adorable prints as well as 100% cotton solids.
Women’s Fashion Brands:
Baabushka, Santa Cruz – Baabushka is a woman-run, Santa Cruz based start up offering fair-trade wool slippers. Baabushka’s artisans in Nepal handcraft uniquely modern and comfortable footwear using centuries-old felting techniques and all-natural, sustainable materials. Every pair features the maker’s individual signature. Baabushka donates a percentage of sale to Global Citizen a non-profit that works around the world with the goal of ending extreme poverty.
Beauty:
Pure Beauty Esthetics, Santa Cruz – Erika from Pure Beauty Esthetics is currently offering virtual zoom facials where you can learn how to take care of your skin at home. She also is offering curbside pick up for a DIY facial kit and a Beauuty Box you can buy to help support her during shelter in place and until she is able to reopen! Or you can purchase a gift card for future services like eyebrow microblading or permanent makeup.
Health and Fitness:
Bar Method – I used to be a regular at the Bar Method in the Marina in San Francisco and then transferred to the Bar Method in Carlsbad when Justin and I moved there. I absolutely love their workouts. Wherever you live in the Bay Area, I’d check to see if there’s a location near you. All Bar Method franchises are owned by female entrepreneurs so support away!! Most locations if not all are still closed due to COVID-19 but they are offering virtual classes which you can sign up for online and at the location nearest you.
FIT4MOM, Santa Cruz – Mason and I enjoyed FIT4MOM when I was postpartum. I would usually go 3-4 days a week to their classes. It was such a great way to meet and bond with other moms in town, some of whom I am still very good friends with today, get a workout in, as well as some playtime/socialization for Mason. I truly loved our time with them and stuck with it as long as Mason’s schedule would allow. I highly recommend their stroller strides classes as well as their Body Back classes, for moms only. It was an incredible way for me to get back in shape!! They are offering virtual classes right now and you can also support by purchasing a gift card for future classes or as a gift for an expecting mother. PS FIT4MOM’s are located all over so if you’re not based in Santa Cruz County definitely search for your local franchise owner. I know there are tons throughout the Bay Area.
Juice Co. LG, Los Gatos – I love a good green juice and Juice CO-LG has lots of options as well as many other yummy juices in case green juice isn’t your thing. They are open for contactless pick-up as well as delivery. They also have a cleanse program which sounds amazing since they partnered with a doctor to create the program and what’s offered with their cleanses is a lot more than just juice, it’s support and resources to cleanse your body in a healthy way. And they have a number of Bay Area locations where their juice is served like Hotsource Yoga in Aptos.
Vaxa, Santa Cruz – Jessica started to create her own organic, plant based protein bars, Växa (meaning “grow” in Swedish) after she had looked for healthy snacks to throw in our beach, lunch and hiking bag and unfortunately didn’t find many alternatives. What makes her bars different from other protein bars is that they are high in plant based protein and low in sugar that comes from natural sources such as bananas and blueberries. The Växa bars are organic, gluten-free and contain nutrients such as omega3, iron, phytonutrients, antioxidants and vitamin D. They are the perfect option for someone who is looking for a plant based protein snack for themselves or their kids, that is natural and healthy.
Home:
Petite Petal Co, Campbell – This adorable floral shop sells more than just flowers! They have the cutest macrame circle coasters and plant holders. You can order flowers for delivery, purchase gift cards to use later or to gift someone with and you can throw in a craft cocktail mix while you’re at it!
Motherhood:
Santa Cruz Speech Therapy, Santa Cruz – Johanna Lambert is the owner and operator of Santa Cruz Speech Therapy. She is licensed in the state of California, and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She started Santa Cruz Speech Therapy because she realized there was a need for parent-infant play based learning classes. Santa Cruz Speech Therapy has blossomed into a private practice that promotes parent involvement and education to impower parents to better support their children’s developing communication skills. Santa Cruz Speech Therapy currently offers an early communicator baby sign language class, the Playing with Words play-shop (infant, young toddler, and preschool age classes), assessment, private 1:1 therapy and staff trainings for daycares and preschools. Each service is designed to provide children with a fun, engaging and play based environment to build their language skills, while providing parents with simple language strategies to use throughout their day.
Swings and Wings, Alameda – Swings and Wings is an indoor sensory-based play place, designed and owned by an Occupational Therapist. What this simply means is that your child will have fun playing, with a purpose! Her mission is to provide a safe environment for children to have fun, learn and grow through purposeful, exploratory play. Her equipment and toys are carefully selected to facilitate child development. Since her spot is currently closed, you can support her by purchasing a gift card so that when she can reopen your kids and you will have a fun spot to come to!
Have a Bay Area business you’d like me to add to this list? Comment with the business below or send me an email laura@have-need-want.com!
As always, thank you so much for stopping by the blog today! I hope you are able to find a few new local Bay Area women owned businesses to support!!
