Women Supporting Women: Products With Heart
We could go on for days about why we love these women-owned businesses, women-created brands and products that give back to women around the world. We salute these hard-working entrepreneurs and the global good they are spreading, and are honored to be surrounded by such strong women in our community. You all inspire us deeply by being unapologetically fearless, investing time and funds into local causes, and supporting other women’s success when you shop at Lakewinds. Read on for the products we love and the women behind them!
Alaffia Body Care
Alaffia was created when a young woman from Washington, Prairie Rose Hyde, met Olowo-n’djo Tchala, a young man born and raised in rural Togo, West Africa with a sixth grade education. Together they built one of the most successful fair trade body care organizations in the natural products industry.
Today, the Alaffia teams don’t consider profits their measure of success. Instead it is measured by the amount of growing empowerment for women and families in African communities. They pay fair trade wages to employees, use resources to empower communities and specifically have initiatives to empower the safety and success of mothers and families. To date they have funded 4,432 maternal healthcare recipients and several education-based projects using the funds from Alaffia product sales, among many other initiatives.
Beez Kneez
Founded by Kristy Lynn Allen to preserve pollinators, specifically honeybees, and the vital role they play in agriculture. Watching the landscape change from farmlands and open spaces to cookie cutter developments didn’t sit well with Kristy, who set out to learn, volunteer and work towards social justice, sustainable farming and the role of technology. When she learned beekeeping from her aunt and uncle and set out to deliver sustainable honey by bike around Minneapolis, Beez Kneez was born. Now Camp Beez Kneez and Kristy educates others in saving pollinators and sustainable honey.
Spoonriver
For nearly 40 years, Brenda Langton has been a guiding light of Twin Cities organic dining. In 2006 she opened the acclaimed Spoonriver restaurant and simultaneously started the Mill City Farmer’s Market. With her friend and co-author, Margaret Stuart, the Spoonriver Cookbook is a tribute to these women-created landmark institutions.
City Girl Coffee
Founded by Aliza Bohbot in 2015, all City Girl Coffee ingredients are sourced from women-owned or women-managed farms around the world. A portion of every sale goes to organizations that support them and the success of women in their country of origin.
SunLeaf Naturals
Owner and founder, Teresa Andrys, creates, designs and tests each SunLeaf body care and home product in Waconia, MN. Each ingredient is carefully selected for its healthful benefits and sourced within sustainable supply chains. SunLeaf is also big on water; each product is biodegradable and clean and Teresa donates 5% of profits to protecting local fresh water resources.
Lucille’s Kitchen Garden
Founder Zoie Glass and wife, Amy, founded the company in 2007 and then grew the brand and products to be sold in 50+ local stores. Their delicious jams are created from produce grown locally by farmers committed to sustainable, responsible growing practices. Years later, they used their success story to help create Midwest Pantry as a resource for food entrepreneurs to network, mentor and find educational opportunities to create their own products.
Senoras de Salsa
Started by Danielle Wojdyla, the Senoras de Salsa line of products ensures Hispanic women employees are paid fair wages and proceeds go to help immigrant women escaping domestic situations and the day-to-day challenges they face. Their business model specifically empowers local women in the community and uses locally grown produce and sourcing. A delicious choice you can feel great about!
Goddess Garden
Created by a mom, Nova, for her daughter, Paige, who was allergic to traditional bath and cosmetic products. Goddess Garden proceeds support a number of organizations including women’s cancer, health and disability research, and empowering youth. Goddess Garden was founded on two important principles: helping the planet and helping people safely enjoy the sun. The brand is fighting for a perspective shift for consumers regarding the usage of chemicals in everyday products and how they affect our ecosystem as a whole.