Beauty & Personal Care
Support clean beauty brands with transparent ingredient lists, sustainable packaging, and cruelty-free formulations. From cocokind's oil-to-milk cleanser to Herbivore's luxurious facial oils, these brands prioritize both efficacy and ethics.
Featured Products
- cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser - Gentle cleanser transforms from oil to milk, removing makeup without stripping skin
- cocokind AHA Serum - 7% glycolic acid exfoliating serum with vegan ingredients
- Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip - Long-wear matte liquid lipstick from Black women-owned brand
- Herbivore Phoenix Facial Oil - Luxurious face oil with rosehip and sea buckthorn
- Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash - Natural foaming cleanser with aloe and willow bark
Candles & Home Fragrance
Small-batch candles with coconut or soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks, and phthalate-free fragrance oils. Bluecorn Beeswax offers 100% pure beeswax that naturally purifies air, while Brooklyn Candle Studio hand-pours each candle in small batches.
Featured Brands
- Bluecorn Beeswax Candles - 100% pure beeswax tapers burn cleanly for hours
- Brooklyn Candle Studio - Brooklyn-made soy wax candles with fine fragrances
Pantry & Specialty Foods
Artisan food producers crafting small-batch sauces, spices, snacks, and beverages with organic or heirloom ingredients. From Runamok's Vermont maple syrup to Diaspora Co.'s single-origin turmeric with 6.2% curcumin content.
Featured Products
- Runamok Maple Syrup - Organic Vermont maple syrup from sustainably managed forests
- Brightland Extra Virgin Olive Oil - California EVOO cold-pressed within 90 minutes of harvest
- Jacobsen Salt Co. Flake Salt - Hand-harvested Oregon sea salt with delicate flake texture
- Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp - Authentic Sichuan chili oil with numbing heat
- Diaspora Co. Pragati Turmeric - Single-origin turmeric with 6.2% curcumin content
Apparel & Accessories
Ethically-made clothing and accessories from brands prioritizing fair labor, organic materials, and transparent supply chains. Nine Line Apparel is veteran-owned, while BAGGU replaces single-use plastic with stylish sustainability.
Featured Products
- Nine Line Apparel Veteran T-Shirt - Patriotic graphic tee from veteran-owned brand
- Topo Designs Rover Pack - Colorado-made backpack with durable 1000D Cordura
- Thread Wallets Slim Wallet - Minimalist wallet from recycled materials
- BAGGU Reusable Bag Set - Ripstop nylon bags fold into compact pouches
- BAGGU Crescent Bag - Lightweight crossbody bag with adjustable strap
Kids & Baby Products
Non-toxic toys, organic baby clothing, and safe baby care products from certified small businesses. Green Toys are made in USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, while PlanToys uses sustainable rubberwood with non-toxic dyes.
Featured Products
- Green Toys Dump Truck - Made in USA from 100% recycled plastic, BPA-free
- mushie Stacking Cups - BPA-free silicone cups safe for teething
- Loulou Lollipop Silicone Teether - Food-grade silicone with textured beads
- PlanToys Building Blocks - Sustainable rubberwood with non-toxic water-based dyes
Home Goods & Décor
Handcrafted home items from ceramics and textiles to storage solutions and wall art—all made in small batches. Bee's Wrap replaces plastic with organic cotton and beeswax, while Coyuchi offers GOTS-certified organic textiles.
Featured Products
- Bee's Wrap Assorted Set - Reusable beeswax food wraps replace plastic
- Coyuchi Organic Cotton Blanket - GOTS-certified organic cotton, soft and breathable
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a brand is actually small or independently owned?
Check the "About" page on their website for ownership structure—look for founder names and stories. Small businesses typically have fewer than 500 employees (SBA definition) and are not subsidiaries of larger corporations. Our value badges (women-owned, veteran-owned, B-Corp) require third-party certification or verification. Be wary of "founder story" marketing from brands owned by conglomerates.
What does B-Corp certification actually mean?
B-Corp (Benefit Corporation) is a rigorous third-party certification from B Lab that evaluates a company's social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Companies must score at least 80/200 points across governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. It's recertified every 3 years. Unlike vague "eco-friendly" claims, B-Corp certification is legally binding and publicly verified.
Are small business products more expensive than big brands?
Sometimes, yes—but you're often paying for quality, ethical labor, and sustainable materials that big brands cut corners on. Small businesses can't achieve the same economies of scale, but many offer direct-to-consumer pricing that eliminates retail markups. Compare price-per-use and longevity, not just upfront cost. A $40 small-batch candle that burns 60 hours beats a $15 big-box candle that burns 20 hours.
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Last updated: November 14, 2025