Last year was difficult to say the least, and I spent it trying to appreciate the little things – going on walks with my mum, perfecting my bread-making skills, and discovering tons of amazing UK-based small brands to shop from!
Some of these brands have flourished while others have struggled during these turbulent times, but one thing remains true for all: consumer support – especially via their online platforms – is more important than ever.
Shopping from independent businesses isn’t just good for your conscience, either – their products and services tend to be of a high quality, sustainable, eco friendly, and crafted with love (usually accompanied by a personal note to boot)!
So I've rounded up a few of these fab brands below, just in case you needed a little inspo:
1. Bookshop.org
2. Kuki Candles
6. Sarv's Slice
8. Yope
10. Black Sunrise
11. Evermade
14. Basicly
15. Nabz Saad
16. The Norah Store
17. Chinutayco
18. Kiya Cosmetics
19. Gardners Cookies
20. Kaniya Cares
21. Talula Little
22. TALOU
23. Aronsè Cosmetics
24. Sancho's
25. Télle Moi
26. Dogsnug
27. BeardConnecx
28. PRICK
29. Luliu
30. Sister & Co.
31. Tribal Unicorn
32. Beevive
34. Jollie's Socks
35. Hvndmxde
36. Bec & Bon
38. Amanita Designs
42. Just Daydreaming
44. Awa Bittaye
45. Urban Proverb
From shoppable websites to Instagram pages that’ll point you in the right direction, there are lots of platforms that do all the hard small-brand-finding work for you – here are just a few of them:
✨Jamii ✨ – for making buying from black-owned brands easier than ever! You can get their discount card for money off tons of businesses (including Black Sunrise, Kiya Cosmetics, Nabz Saad, and much more).
✨Buyitblackowned ✨ – for more incredible black-owned businesses you can support!
✨Know The Origin ✨ – for a reliable roundup of sustainable, eco-friendly, and ethical small brands.
✨Female Founder Finder ✨ – for a range of impressive female-owned businesses.
✨Itsblackowned ✨ – for even more amazing black-owned brands!
✨Yard + parish ✨– for luxury and eco-conscious black-owned companies.
✨Beunica ✨– for sustainable pieces from luxury independent brands.
✨Lone Design Club ✨ – for unique products made by independent designers, with regular pop-ups to check out once shops open again.