To honor Women’s History Month, we’ve gathered a list of businesses owned by women that you can support today. These shops sell unique jewelry, games, decorations, and accessories made by hand. Each owner brings their own special talents and interests to their products. Take a look at them below.
JIGGY Puzzles
After a stressful day at a start-up job, Kaylin Marcotte found solace in solving puzzles. Noticing the designs could use an update, she quit her job and started JIGGY Puzzles in 2019. The company gained attention on Shark Tank and received a $500,000 investment from Mark Cuban. Marcotte shared with Mental Floss in 2022, “Bringing puzzles back for a new generation has been fulfilling. Puzzles bring me joy and relaxation; I want to share that with others.”
JIGGY Puzzles isn’t just about selling puzzles; it’s a female-run business showcasing art by emerging female artists. Marcotte finds inspiration in these artists, especially from the debut collection featuring works like “Bathing with Flowers” by Alja Horvat and “Astronaut” by Emma Repp. The company also offers special collections, subscriptions, and collaborations with retailers like Anthropologie.
Marcotte finds joy in knowing that JIGGY Puzzles has brought solace and happiness to people. “Customers have shared how JIGGY helped them discover art, pass time, and reconnect with downtime,” she says.
Literary Emporium
After graduating with an English degree in 2012, Rio Brown started Literary Emporium, blending her love for writing with handmade crafts. Based in Frome, Somerset, England, Brown’s store offers clothing, pins, stationery, jewelry, and accessories featuring quotes from famous works.
Brown selects quotes from her favorite novels and poems, including those by authors like Emily Brontë, Virginia Woolf, and Edith Wharton. These quotes inspire the designs on her products, particularly those from gothic literature.
One standout item is a brass bookmark shaped like a serpent, featuring the Lady Macbeth quote, “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it.” This piece would appeal to Shakespeare fans.
CA Souls
Childhood friends Chau Jessup and An Shoemake founded CA Souls, a custom-made Morse code jewelry brand. “Growing up together, we shared similar backgrounds, beliefs, values, and goals,” Jessup explains. “Starting CA Souls felt natural because we both had a strong desire to begin a business.”
Their aim was to create personalized jewelry, and after exploring coded messages, they decided Morse code would be perfect for their designs. “We wanted to allow customers to include personal messages in their gifts while maintaining the artistic design of the jewelry and the secrecy of the messages,” Jessup adds.
In 2016, they launched their first Morse code collection and have received positive feedback ever since. Their store offers customizable Morse code messages on bracelets, keychains, earrings, and more.
xN Studio
Nasozi Kakembo, a Ugandan American designer, used to work in international human rights before starting her home décor business, xN Studio, full-time. She wanted to do more with her education and passion, especially as a working mother juggling her child’s school schedule. Kakembo believes that many families face this challenge, and the pandemic showed how unnecessary it was to stick to outdated habits.
Based in Brooklyn, New York, Kakembo’s designs blend African-inspired textiles with the vibrant culture of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. Her business, recognized as the Best African Accents shop in America by House Beautiful in 2021, offers a range of home and lifestyle products. From pillows to face masks and chair covers, her designs reflect the street style and people of Bed-Stuy and Brooklyn.
Kakembo describes her work as a “minimalist mash-up,” where unexpected materials and designs complement each other. She believes in creating practical yet beautiful pieces that resonate with her community and beyond.
MustardFringe
Kate Guzman launched her Etsy shop, MustardFringe, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I needed some positivity in my life. I’ve always enjoyed crafting, so starting a small shop was the perfect solution,” Guzman tells Mental Floss.
At MustardFringe, you can find weekender bags, wallets, and travel organizers. “My aim for MustardFringe is to promote compassion and kindness while encouraging women to acknowledge their own strength,” Guzman explains. Each item in Guzman’s shop is handmade to order, ensuring that customers receive something truly one-of-a-kind.
