We should all be doing more to support independent women-owned businesses in Birstol. And with International Women’s Day (March 8) coming up and Women’s History Month well underway, now is as good a time as any to start! So we thought we’d share some of our favourite of Brum’s women-owned businesses. From nail studios and hair salons to florists and jewellery makers, there are some some truly bostin places to shout out too!
1. Ozaria Plants
Looking to feed your plant obsession? For all the avid and wannabe Bristol plant mums and dads out there, this women-owned Bristol business is the perfect go-to if you want to decorate your home with plants. With shops in Clifton and the Old Market area, you’ll find a selection of houseplants and flowers to suit all living conditions, as well as pots and plant care items, at Ozaria Plants.
2. Ahh Toots
Located up Bristol’s Christmas Steps, Ahh Toots is owned by baker Tam and sells gorgeously decorated cakes. Big and small, these cakes are suited to whatever the occasion may be – weddings to a weekend treat. This bakery not only sells celebration cakes, doughnuts, cookies, cinnamon buns, savoury pastries and traybakes, but also offers a baking provisions supply box as well as DIY baking packs, plus boxes packed with a range of cake slices or traybakes like blondies and brownies, which can be delivered to your door or available for collection. To learn more head here.
3. Panda Pots
This cute Bristol store stocks an array of items that are perfect as gifts. From trinket and soap dishes to oil burners and vases, Panda Pots, also known as Miranda Ceramics, offers unique pieces to suit all tastes. The woman-owned shop makes small batch ceramics at Maze Studios in Bristol, with each piece being unique so you’ll never have the exact same item as someone else, making for a very personal gift.
4. The MAZI Project
Founded by Melanie Vaxevanakis, The MAZI Project is an initiative that aims to tackle food insecurity for 16 – 25 year olds living in supported accommodation. From care leavers, youth recovering from homelessness or young asylum seekers. With a combination of delicious food, creative storytelling and local collaborations, MAZI wants to transform the way vulnerable people have access to healthy food whilst inspiring them to cook sustainably. The initiative recently made a call out for any Bristol food businesses interested in partnering with them on this project.
5. The Good Book Shop
You’ll find one of Bristol’s best bookshops on Church Road in East Bristol. The Good Book Shop shines the spotlight on under-represented, feminist and radical writers. It’s carefully curated stock is also arranged into themes, such as Cities, Modern Love and Possibilities to help you step out of your comfort zone and discover something new. Owners Cat and Carla also run a book subscription service. Every month they handpick the best in contemporary fiction and creative non-fiction for you!
6. That Thing
It’s one of Bristol’s longest serving independent businesses, opened by Joh in 2008, and stocks around 50 independent designers. Many of these are Bristol based and local to the store itself – as well as being women-owned businesses! Inside That Thing, you’ll find an eclectic mix of gorgeous items, from jewellery to homewares to vintage clothing. While it also stocks its own in-house brand, ‘That Thing’.
7. Bambi Locks
Amber Heath of Bambi Locks, is part of the A&E hair and make-up studio team on Gloucester Road, which is one of many women-owned businesses in Bristol run by two women. She offers a hair extension service and the salon is a haven for those tresses that may have seen better days. While Amber may specialise in hair extensions, the salon also offers great cuts, blow dries and full face make-up that will have you wanting to show off your brand new do and makeover.