Behind 7 social enterprise brands empowering women this International Women's Day
9/3/2021
For 2021, International Women’s Day is themed around the concept of #choosetochallenge. This idea of dissatisfaction with the status quo and an impetus to challenge it is one that’s fuelled the founders behind some of our female-founded social enterprise brands. They saw another way to do business – and in the process, pave the way for a network of support for the women (and often children) who need it most, better life chances and, ultimately, equality. No mean feat!
We’re inspired by them and obsessed with their products, which are not only doing good but make for beautiful gifts too.
Get to know some of our female-led businesses here that are also supporting women – not just today, but all the days.
Luminary Bakery
Luminary Bakery was founded by Alice Williams as a response to seeing that women are often affected by multiple disadvantages at one time – an intersection of the likes of gender-based violence, low income, poor physical and mental health, substance misuse and homelessness.
In Alice’s own words: “Too often, violence and trauma isolate us from the community, when that is the very thing we need the most. Every woman has shown immense courage to survive her circumstances alone, but it is only when others embrace her that she can really start to fulfil her potential. Luminary is more than a bakery; it is a community and a sign of hope for so many.”
In fact, Luminary is in many ways the safe space that many women need where holistic support is the backbone of the kitchen. Turning what was once a symbol of domestication into one of empowerment – hurrah!
As good as Luminary are doing, their brownies and cake creations taste good too. In fact, they’ve even caught the attention of Vogue and Meghan Markle. Fancy sending a letterbox brownie gift with purpose now? Shop their treats, totes and their inspiring Rising Hope cookbook.
LUX LUZ
Bringing light to women in situations that can often feel hopeless, LUX LUZ’s candles and diffusers fund emergency refuge and parcels of essentials, as well as art therapy sessions for women who have faced domestic violence. The brainchild of Sophie and Anna, they discovered that 1 in 4 women in the UK are affected by domestic abuse and were spurred on to do something to bring hope to these women. It’s important to these two female founders that the women they support have as much access as possible to their workshops, for example, timing them when they won’t be doing school pick-ups.
You may have seen on our Instagram – where every Friday we’re bigging up the impact our brands created in 2020 – that sales of LUX LUZ products on Social Supermarket created some amazing, tangible impact last year. Our customers funded 12 weeks of art therapy for seven women, as well as 14 nights’ emergency accommodation.
They also wanted to be sure to embed sustainable practices into their brand alongside their support of women. The candles are made of eco-soy, which has been sustainably farmed – making them vegan-friendly. Did you know that eco-soy is made from the oil that comes from soya beans? This means that eco-soy is completely biodegradable and doesn’t contain any pesticides or herbicides. Of course, the glass jars that the eco-soy is handpoured into are also recyclable.
Peruse the candle range as well as diffusers for making home smell heavenly.
We even brought together Luminary and LUX LUZ in our candle and cookbook gift set.
Page & Bloom
Similar to LUX LUZ, Page & Bloom supports domestic abuse survivors. This social enterprise, though, also saves the pages of books that would otherwise be destined for landfill – also saving would-be waste and turning these pages into unique paper flowers. As a gift, they make for beautiful keepsakes. After all, when else can you send flowers that you won’t have to throw out after they’ve wilted?
In making them, the therapeutic nature of the handcraft cannot be overstated. A beautiful gesture of support, along with a confidence-building skill for the women who make them.
Again, we’ve teamed up two of our social enterprise brands that are doing good for women. Check out our paper flower duo gift sets including with candles, prosecco or chocolates.
Grace Chocolates
Based in Scotland, Grace Chocolates was set up by Joyce who was inspired to do more to help women who’ve been touched by the criminal justice system. Having volunteered at the family hub centre at Cornton Vale HMP and YOI where she met numerous people and heard their stories, she wanted to create a chocolate company that would also support those women in making positive steps towards finding employment.
Grace Chocolates has since become much more than a place of work, though. In partnership with the Scottish Prison Service and a team of dedicated volunteers, women are given second chances and, crucially, a support network. The resulting products? Delectable fine Belgian chocolate truffles that are handpiped with fresh ingredients like passionfruit before being drizzled with ruby chocolate.
Chocolates that change lives? Add to basket…
Little Coffee Company
Little Coffee Company was set up by Lauren Le Franc, a key voice in equality and sustainability, as well as law and business. Having been raised in Jamaica, she was inspired by the female farmers who were producing the best beans in areas of crisis. That’s why Little Coffee Company collaborates with female farmers to bring roasted and ground coffee to your kitchen.
The brand has also just had a makeover – their packaging now takes the form of an illustrated keepsake tin to keep their coffee fresh, too. Not to mention, create less packaging in their mission to become more sustainable.
We love the story behind this product, which is at the centre of our International Women’s Day gift box, celebrating female-founded and impacting brands.
rho
Meet rho. This ethically made pyjama and loungewear brand was set up by lifelong friends Hannah and Elena to bring comfort and style to nightwear, as well as for elevating those lounging around the house weekends (or, er… months – as is the case with 2020-21). Not to mention support those in need of a safe night’s sleep – an essential they feel everyone deserves.
How do they do this? Well, every piece in the collection donates £5 to Oasis, a domestic abuse service based in Kent which supports women, children and young adults who’ve been affected by abuse.
The organic cotton sets are made ethically and sustainably in a safe work environment – something not every fashion brand can attest to – in collaboration with skilled artisans. They’re fans of mix- and matching so the pyjama pieces are sold individually for personalisation, perfect if you prefer shorts over trousers, or a full sleeve over a camisole.
SO JUST SHOP
Having worked in International Development, Jennifer Georgeson was well placed to find and collaborate with skilled artisans in some of the most vulnerable communities as part of her mission to financially empower women. That’s the purpose at the heart of SO JUST SHOP, the accessories and homewares brand that makes beautiful and sustainably made items.
Jennifer has seen that many women are often the ones who arrange healthcare and education for children – that many times lack of access to healthcare or schools go hand-in-hand with economic disempowerment. So in empowering women financially, the impact is huge because it extends across the whole family – and future generations too.
Their ethically made jewellery is a winner, not to mention their patterned ceramics for brightening up place settings. Get to know the brand now.
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