Support these unique entrepreneurs for Women’s History Month and all year long
From photography and event companies to massage and beauty companies, Michigan’s women have plenty of products and services to offer. In celebration of Women’s History Month, The ‘Gander is highlighting 21 women-owned Michigan brands you should know.
Offering women empowerment photo sessions, wedding photography, and lifestyle sessions, among other types of photography, Jackson-based Cate Autumn captures a plethora of moments and memories. She primarily shoots in Michigan, but she travels, too. Cate Autumn’s love for human connection is what keeps her passionate about capturing her clients’ most precious moments.
Located in Detroit’s Corktown, Spectacle Society intentionally creates a curated collection of independent eyewear. Spectacle Society’s owner, Tina Arroyo is also just as passionate about giving back to the community as she is about eyewear: Five percent of all sales are donated to a local Detroit-based organization. Arroyo is one of 11 opticians in Detroit who are certified by the American Board of Opticianry.
From digital logos to fliers to digital and full-service invitations, Invited Designs offers professional designs to meet event needs. Video fliers and posters are a part of design options. Invited Designs also creates custom t-shirts, hoodies, glasses, mugs, gift sets, notebooks, and monogrammed paraphernalia. The company has designed a myriad of products for a plethora of businesses, including local faith-based organizations and local artists.
Offering daily delivery to Jackson & Lenawee counties, Angel’s Floral Creations is a full service florist. The company specializes in wedding and event design and artisan vase arrangements and bouquets. Angel’s Floral Creations’s owner is also committed to cultivating community, which is why the vast majority of their products are sourced locally from Michigan-based plant wholesalers to local flower farmers.
From birthdays to weddings to corporate events, Kaptured Memories is available to provide a 360 photo booth as well as mobile bartending services. The event company serves the entire state of Michigan. Kaptured Memories grew out of what was formerly solely a mobile bartending company.
K.D. & Co. offers event coordinating, balloon design, and dessert design services. From chocolate covered strawberries to floral arrangements to themed gift baskets, K.D. & Co. is available to cultivate a myriad of events, holidays, and gifting needs. The company’s owner, Keisha Collins started the business after creating several desserts for her co-workers, who eventually began swiftly placing orders.
With a flagship store in downtown Detroit, The Lip Bar offers vegan beauty products that are blended with natural ingredients. From lipsticks that are enriched with shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E to moisturizers, powders, and concealers for every shade, TLB has a myriad of products to accentuate natural beauty. The Lip Bar’s founder, Melissa Butler and creative director, Rosco Spears are known for their 2015 appearance on Shark Tank where their pitch was rejected by every judge. However, they didn’t let that stop their dreams. The Lip Bar is now available in Target and Walmart.
La La’s Libations is a professional bartending service with a complete staff that is Training For Intervention Procedures (TIPS) certified as well as bonded and insured. In addition to offering bartending services, La La’s Libations also offers glass customization and premade alcoholic beverages known as “thirst quenchers.” La La has competed twice in Courvoisier’s Toast to Culture Bartending competition and has also been featured in the Detroit Free Press.
Chef Donya Jade is a pastry and dessert artist in addition to being a chef. She offers custom culinary experiences from meal plans to private parties, and all celebrations. She’s been featured in the Detroit News as a featured chef during The Art of Cannabis tasting and art exhibition.
Pain therapy services, premium body detox services, and v-steaming services, are just a few of the services that Golden Aura Wellness offers. Golden Aura Wellness also offers tea, detox beverages, and bath salts in addition to other products. The holistic med spa that recently opened during the COVID-19 pandemic is located in Detroit’s New Center area.
The Dulce Experience serves Michigan and 250 miles outside of Detroit with its premium gourmet cake design studio. With flavors such as Banana Foster, Creme Brulee, Southern Peach, and Lemon Lavender, among others, there’s a myriad of options for various taste buds. The Dulce Experience has been featured in Strictly Weddings, Black Bride, and The Knot among other publications.
With a decade of experience, The Bee Agency offers public relations services. The agency operates worldwide. However, its headquarters are based in Detroit. The Bee Agency has represented a myriad of brands such as The Lip Bar and Detroit’s Cooking With Que.
Professional massage therapy is offered by Elite Therapeutics. Swedish, deep tissue, chair, and geriatric massages are offered mobily in addition to other services. Elite Therapeutics’ massage therapists will come to your home or place of business. Elite Therapeutics’ owner, Kimberly Green was inspired to become a licensed massage therapist after giving her grandmother massages for years as a child.
From coral rose arrangements to heart wreaths to floral letters, the Detroit Flower Company has floral arrangements for many occasions. The company is located in downtown Detroit and delivers to the Metro Detroit area. Originally, Detroit Flower Company started out as a small business, but it swiftly flourished into an internet sensation.
Fashionable necklaces, dresses, jumpsuits, and purses are just a few of the items that DetroitDolly sells. The Detroit-based online boutique offers an array of unique threads and more, including a line of hand dyed vintage lingerie.
The Ann-Arbor-based handcrafted wood furniture company offers mantel wall mounted shelves, benches, book shelves, and more. The husband and wife team handcrafts all of their products out of reclaimed wood while also combining the lumber with repurposed industrial black iron pipe, and other salvaged “goodies.” iReclaimed’s owners give a percentage of each sale back to the global community through a variety of non-profit organizations.
Pound cakes, layer cakes, birthday cakes, and custom cakes, are offered at Good Cakes and Bakes in addition to cookies, muffins, brownies, and more. Vegan options are available along with catering services. Good Cakes and Bakes co-owner April Anderson has baked for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and was delegated pastry chef for the James Beard Media Awards in New York City.
From hats to scarves to hand warmers to baby onesies, Mitten Made offers an assortment of patterns to keep Michiganders warm and representing the Mitten in style. The Dearborn-based online store ships nationwide. The Dearborn Heights-based company is now offering vegan friendly options including cotton and acrylic fibers.
The Adrian-based home decor company specializes in furniture, jewelry, and clothing. Everything from couches to desks to pillows to plants to scarves can be found in the rural Michigan store. The store’s owner, Stephanie Buckman is an advocate for shopping small and local.
The Dearborn Heights-based independent, post-secondary school offers programs in Hospitality and Management, Culinary Fundamentals, and NRF Customer Service + Sales. The licensed proprietary school is focused on training, preparing, and testing students for gainful employment and continuing education.
Northern Flame Candles sells custom prayer candles, scented soy candles, and gifts. Small batch hand poured candles that are also hand labeled are available for purchase. The owner pours handmade candles in her northern Michigan studio. Don’t miss her Saint Gretchen Whitmer prayer candle.
Glennisha Morgan Glennisha Morgan was formerly The Gander's associate editor.
