Celebrating Women's History Month: Inspiring Stories of Women Entrepreneurs

What is Women’s History Month?

Women's History Month is an annual celebration dedicated to recognizing the achievements, contributions, and history of women throughout the world. It typically takes place in March, providing a designated time to honor the diverse accomplishments of women in various fields, including science, politics, arts, business, and more.

When did we start celebrating Women's History Month? 

Women's History Month has its roots in the celebration of International Women's Day, which began in the early 20th century. The first National Women's Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. It later evolved into a week-long celebration in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of the women's movement and feminist activists.

Leading Ladies Behind Top 4 Women-Led Businesses

In celebration of Women's History Month, let's shine a spotlight on the incredible achievements of women-led businesses. These trailblazing women have not only defied societal expectations but have also paved the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs. Their stories are a testament to strength, perseverance, and a commitment to breaking barriers. Here are their stories:

PiperWai

Sarah Ribner embarked on her journey in 2014 when searching for a natural and effective alternative to conventional antiperspirants. Driven by a desire for better alternatives, Sarah and her childhood friend turned their quest into a mission, crafting the perfect natural deodorant formula. What started as a personal project blossomed into PiperWai, sharing their discovery with the world. After an appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2015, PiperWai experienced unprecedented demand, propelling them to expand and perfect their product line. Since then, PiperWai has been featured on HSN, Good Morning America, Vogue, NY Times Style, and many more! In 2021, PiperWai expanded their commitment to sustainability by transitioning to eco-friendly materials, marking a significant step towards a more earth-conscious personal care industry. Shop clean, natural & sustainable personal hygiene products from PiperWai here.

Naturally Drenched

Jamila Powell, a devoted mother, accomplished attorney, and visionary entrepreneur, has transformed her love for hair and self-care into a thriving business. With a rich background in beauty, Jamila previously owned Maggie Rose Salon, renowned as one of the premier texture salons nationwide. Her journey with natural hair commenced during her college years at Pennsylvania State University, evolving throughout her time at George Washington University Law School, ultimately inspiring her to establish a salon dedicated to empowering women to embrace and celebrate their natural textures. Through her tenure at Maggie Rose, Jamila gained invaluable insights into the most effective ingredients for diverse hair types, laying the foundation for Naturally Drenched: a vegan and eco-conscious collection meticulously crafted with curls in mind. Explore Naturally Drenched products here. 

Beautology Lab

Karina Moises, the visionary founder of Beautology Lab, embarked on a health and wellness journey that inspired her to create clean skincare products that would help detoxify her body & skin. Driven by a personal quest to detoxify the body for skin healing, she transformed this need into a purpose, pioneering the art of biohacking skincare.

At Beautology Lab, the mission is elegantly straightforward: they strive to formulate clean, everyday, multi-tasking products designed to stimulate autophagy—the body's natural detoxification process. Their aim is to enhance skin health and longevity at the cellular level, providing a holistic approach to skincare that transcends conventional beauty. Grab Beautology Lab products here.

Karité

Karité is the brainchild of three sisters who grew up using raw, unrefined shea butter from Ghana as a skin moisturizer. Because raw shea butter is difficult to spread, as kids, the sisters would mix the shea butter with over the counter lotion to make it easier to spread on their skin. When they got older, they realized that they could create their own version of this, using simple, yet effective ingredients. Combining the eldest sister Dr. Naana Boakye’s background in dermatology, legal education of second sister Abena, and youngest sister Akua’s sales and marketing experience; Karité was born!

Unlike many shea butter moisturizers on the market, Karité’s products stand out for their commitment to purity and quality. Driven by a mission to offer skincare that goes beyond the surface, Karité rejects the use of highly-processed, refined shea butter, and synthetic ingredients found in other products. Karité’s dedication to sourcing raw, unrefined ingredients from women farmers in Ghana not only ensures the highest quality but also fosters sustainable practices and supports the local communities. Karité has become a trusted choice for those seeking authentic, Dermatologist-verified, and effective skincare solutions. Explore their range of Shea Butter products here.

Ustawi Skincare

Natacha Paugam, a former model and Miss Congo, embodies strength, resilience, and a profound connection to her heritage.

Throughout her modeling career, Natacha faced the frustrating reality that mainstream beauty products didn't cater to her unique skin. Undeterred, she embarked on a transformative journey, rediscovering ancient beauty secrets from her roots in southern and sub-Saharan Africa.

Inspired by this exploration, Natacha established Ustawi, a brand that harmonizes traditional wisdom with scientific validation. Ustawi, meaning 'well-being' in Swahili, celebrates the beauty of melanin in skin. Natacha's vision goes beyond products; she is a trailblazer, reshaping beauty standards and inspiring us to embrace our unique qualities. Discover Ustawi's 100% clean and natural skincare range here.

The Established

The Established simplifies body care for individuals with sensitive and compromised skin. Launched in 2019 as a solution to founder Essence Iman's persistent body care challenges, their mission is to enhance the body care experience with multifunctional skincare. The brand's vegan essentials gently address common skin concerns, providing an effortless and effective solution. Essence Iman shares: Personally, I struggled with chronic dryness and keratosis pilaris, which led me to create formulations in my mom's kitchen with just $200 in startup capital to launch The Established. Discover vegan skin essentials by The Established here.

As we commemorate Women's History Month, let's continue to uplift and celebrate the remarkable achievements of women entrepreneurs. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of resilience, innovation, and determination. From overcoming challenges to breaking barriers, these women have paved the way for future generations of entrepreneurs. Let's honor their legacies by supporting and empowering women-owned businesses in our communities. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive. Happy Women's History Month!