My 5 Favorite Female Owned Business Right now

Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day, everyone! Jack gave out the cutest little handmade valentines this week, made by my friend Goulla at Eggs and Bakie (see below). And, since I’m all about chasing dreams lately, I just looooove when other women make their dreams into a reality.

With that, I’m sharing my five favorite female owned companies below. The founders of these businesses inspire me. They impress me. And, more than anything, I’m so thankful that they followed their dreams, because their businesses make my life better, for real. And, if you live in Dallas, you’re in for a treat, because 4 of the top 5 female owned businesses I love are right here in your own backyard. Check them out below.

Session Pilates

THIS, you guys. This is my favorite workout. This might be my favorite place. The Lakewood location is a 3 minute drive from my house, and the classes are a quick 50 minutes. That means I can be in and out of a class and back home within an hour. THAT is how I’ve gotten consistent exercise back into my life post baby #2. I sneak these classes in mid workday, and it never cuts more than an hour out of my day over lunch or mid-afternoon.

That is why it’s convenient for me to go. But, why it’s one of my top 5 female founded businesses? Because of the energy in this place. When Session Pilates opened in Lakewood, I was dying to try it. Grace was 4 months old. I was back to work. And, I was craving a workout I could do consistently for ME. I was so scared to try pilates for the first time that I begged a friend Sarah to come with me so I wouldn’t be the “new” girl in class all by myself.

But, let me tell you, the instructors here are so warm and inviting. Not to mention COOL. And, they walk you through everything you need to know, before your first class, and during the class. The instructions are always really clear. The music is on point. The energy is amazing. And the 50 minutes fly by.

Since I started going to pilates at Session, I’ve tried a few other pilates studios in other cities when traveling for work or visiting family. And, let me tell you, nothing compares. If I first tried pilates somewhere else, I probably wouldn’t have stuck with it. I probably wouldn’t have gone back. But, this? I love it. I enjoy it. I look forward to it. And, I feel so much stronger now that I do it regularly. The owner, Britany Grignon, got everything right about this place. And, I’m so glad she built it (and the two other locations in Dallas). She inspires me like crazy. It’s no surprise they seem to be winning all sorts of awards these days, most notably, the Best of Big D 2019: Best Pilates Studio. Let me know if you want to catch a class together! I’m always down for company at the studio.

Eggs and Bakie

You’ve heard a lot about this one from me lately. This company that makes the homemade sensory play dough kits for kids you’ve seen me talk about on my stories. And, the owner is also a passionate baker too! This mom of twins (Goulla Angelides) and I met in our postnatal workout classes the year our first babies were born. Since, I’ve watched her (re) grow her business she originally started back in London, here in Dallas. The play dough kits are amazing (they keep my kids busy for long periods of time – win!), and the baking side of her business is both beautiful and delicious.

Need a cake for a party? Hire Goulla. Want to learn how to decorate a cake with your girlfriends over wine? Hire Goulla. Want to throw a kids’ baking party, but don’t want to do all the work? Hire Goulla like I did last weekend for Jack’s Valentine’s Day cookie decorating party.

I love seeing other women follow their dreams, chase their passions. Make their business ideas a reality. And,  this woman who I have the pleasure of actually knowing in real life is doing all of that!

The Little Things Kids

You can find this retail shop just next door to Session Pilates (ok, Hillside Village shopping center, take all my money). It is the cutest. They carry alllll the good little kid brands, the store is adorable, and it’s the perfect place to pop in to grab a gift for a birthday party or a new baby on the way. They also always have a good stock of little party decorations and/ or plates and napkins at any given time too.

They carry brands like Kickeepants and Kyte Baby for baby pajamas, and have the most beautiful boutique brands for little girls’ dresses and such. Boy clothes are on point too. I am so grateful the owner of this business made her retail shop a reality, because it is for sure a regular stop in my world… and I’m so very grateful to have it in our neighborhood.

Freshly Picked

Ok, you guys… this one isn’t local. BUT, speaking of great kids clothing brands, I have long been a fan of Freshly Picked. If you’re living under a rock (or maybe not a parent) this company was started by mom, Susan Peterson in 2009, right out of her kitchen. According to their website, “She made the first pair of leather moccasins using yard sale scraps for her baby boy’s chubby feet. She found she wasn’t the only one searching for cute baby shoes that wouldn’t fall off, and Freshly Picked began.”

Both of my kids basically lived in these little moccasins their first year of life. And, then graduated to their sneakers. And, just a few years ago, the company launched the Best Selling Diaper bag (me with said diaper bag below). I love it so much, I have it in two colors. It’s actually really cute. Like, so cute that a friend of mine (hi, Kelsey) said she’d want it as a carryon for vacations, and she doesn’t even have kids. SEE, it’s a cute backpack. Not a diaper bag. But… it’s designed by moms, for moms. You can see their initial and hilarious youtube video from when the bag was released here.

Anyway, I love that his one was started by a mom. I love that she kept going. I love that they’re in every baby boutique I ever go to now… and that their diaper bag backpack is the best selling diaper bag at Nordstrom. This one is an example of taking an idea, going with it, putting in allll the work, and becoming a big, national, well-known brand. I love their products, and I am beyond inspired by their founder and her team who made it all happen.

Modern Alchemy Jewelry

If you need some bright jewelry to brighten your day or wardrobe, this company is for you. Alethia Vitale and Beth Price are two friends who love jewelry and all things bold and bright. I wore their earrings to both of my baby showers, to countless weddings, on allll the vacations, and any time I actually remember to swap out my small gold stud earrings… or to put on some actual bracelets.

I have loved watching this business grow from two friends making jewelry for fun, to a full-blown business. You can catch them on the regular at pop- up shops around Dallas, and on Instagram or Etsy. And, while it’s one day before Valentine’s Day, they also have the cutest modern heart shaped earrings! (Hint hint people of the world looking for a cute, fun, fashionable gift for the woman in your life).

I love that the owners of Modern Alchemy actually DID it. They didn’t just talk about it. They did it. They made the jewelry. They created the Etsy shop. They went to (and hosted) the pop-up shops. And, they’re serving so many women by doing so! I love their stuff. And, if you haven’t come across them yet, I’m pretty sure you will too.

And, finally… a bonus female owned company that I love:

SPANX

I know, I know… it’s a huge brand. It’s well known. You see them everywhere. They were on Oprah’s favorite things years ago (and probably many years since). But… I had to include them in the list first because in the last 6 months I have bought FOUR pairs of pants from Spanx. Like, not undergarments… but actual real life pants. If you didn’t know they’re making clothes now, run, don’t walk, to their website and order some.

The work pants (like slacks) were the gateway pant for me. They pull up and feel like yoga pants, but they look like formal work slacks you can wear with heals or flats to a business meeting. Then, I bought their jeans… in blue… then black. And, same deal, they pull up and feel like work out pants, but look like you have your life together and are wearing pants. I recommend them all, 100%.

But, the second reason this one makes my list is because Sara Blakely, mom of 4 and founder of Spanx is the most inspiring human on the planet. And, if you want some inspiration in your life and you don’t already follow her, I very much recommend following her on instagram.  She is everything. And, for those two reasons, Spanx is 100% on my list of favorite female founded companies right now.

What are some of yours? Write a comment so I know you read this! Is anyone out there other than my sister reading my blog? 😉 Love you guys, xoxo.