13 AAPI-Owned Stores to Support This Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and here at Postscript, we have access to some truly incredible AAPI-owned shops you can support this month and throughout the year.
From clothes and makeup to spices and sauces, here’s 13 brands to check out. Have some other favorite shops to include? Let us know on Twitter!
The Pop-Up Mākeke is an online marketplace that centralizes hundreds of Hawaiʻi’s small businesses and showcases their talent and unique products for the world to enjoy. You’ll find everything from dresses and jewelry to soaps and serving boards. The marketplace is operated by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement with a mission to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians.
Why does the world treat periods so weirdly? That’s what Blume cofounders—and sisters—Taran and Bunny sought to understand. Blume was created to make self-care easier and healthier, while destigmatizing normal things like acne, puberty, periods, and sex ed. They make products that shift the narrative away from perfect skin, and toward healthy skin.
Founded by South-Asian beauty entrepreneur and businesswoman Deepica Mutyala, Live Tinted is a clean, vegan, cruelty-free brand with a commitment to celebrating all shades of skin. They offer skincare and suncare, as well as an incredible range of makeup suitable for all skin types.
Founded by Wall-Street refugee and lifelong wellness entrepreneur Shizu Okusa, Apothékary is the world's first plant-based farmacy, promoting plants over pills for healing. Okusa’s roots lie in her mental and physical healing journey with Ayurveda, TCM, and Japanese Kampo Medicine, rooted in over 5,000 years of science and tradition.
Founders and co-CEOs Christine Chang and Sarah Lee first created Glow Recipe in 2014. Glow Recipe makes fruit-forward, clean formulas comprised of antioxidant-rich fruit extracts and clinically proven actives. They have a thriving community of customers who believe in inclusivity, individuality, and sustainability.
Jean Baik wanted to start an affordable makeup line, which she did in 2013 with the launch of Miss A. Her goal was to give shoppers a fun and affordable way to experience beauty products. Today, they have over 25 brick-and-mortar locations and more than 300 employees. They offer an array of beauty products, skincare, accessories, and home decor—most priced at just $1.
As the first specialty Vietnamese coffee company in the U.S., Nguyen imports through direct-trade relationships and promotes social, cultural, and economic sustainability. Founded in 2018 by first-generation entrepreneur-activist Sahra Nguyen, the brand partners with a fourth-generation farmer who owns and operates his family farm in Vietnam’s famed Central Highlands.
Inspired by the amazing flavors of founder Jing Gao’s hometown of Chengdu (and its famous fly restaurants), FBJ’s line of spices and sauces bring uncensored Chinese flavors to the table. Gao is an established chef and entrepreneur who has been able to bring traditional Chinese flavors with a twist into homes all over the country.
OM SÒM is a Vietnamese phrase that, roughly translated, means “noisy” or “riotous” and is often used to scold children. This play-by-one's-own-rules vibe is translated nicely into the brand’s line of southeast Asian spices and sauces like Filipino Sisig sauce or Yuzu miso glaze. Cofounders Vanessa and Kim Pham are sisters and daughters of Vietnamese refugees.
Makeup artist and founder Patrick Ta’s line of cosmetics celebrates diversity. Created as an homage to the women in his life, Ta’s makeup line was cofounded with Rima Minasyan, a fellow entrepreneur committed to making women feel beautiful and confident.
Brightland carefully sources olives from a family-run California farm, then cold-press them into custom-blended oils. Founder Aishwarya Iyer’s ancestors were salt farmers in South India, where they produced from the land and provided salt to their people in the south. This cyclical approach is the same one that Brightland takes in how they source and create their oils.
Party boutique Ellie and Piper was founded by Tina Marchand, who has created a community of party enthusiasts and turned it into a booming business. She is also an advocate for mothers experiencing pregnancy loss and has named her business in memory of two children she lost while pregnant. The brand believes in celebrating all moments in life—in big and small ways.
Chris Bristol wanted to create a convenient, curated boutique experience for the busy woman, making Momma Trend a destination for quality, on-trend pieces. Based in Montana, this woman-owned operation also focuses on size inclusivity and offers a range of styles from XS to 3XL.
Happy AAPI month!
