While it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of big-store sales {and honestly, I will}, I love supporting Small Business Saturday even more than Black Friday or Cyber Monday. When you can actually see the person making that trendy boutique or online shop run behind the scenes, get to know them and their story, it makes shopping at their stores a lot more fun. You are buying gifts from real people who handpicked that gift specifically for someone like you! So, just in time for Small Business Saturday scroll down to meet the ladies behind a few of my favorite females-owned small business in Chicago.
Photo from @fallfordiy
Whether you’re looking for holiday gifts or a fun and festive outfit for a holiday party, there’s a local small business that has you covered. And against popular belief, just because you’re shopping small doesn’t mean you’re going to blow your holiday budget in one weekend or spend more than you normally would at the mall.
Don’t believe me? Keep reading to check out my favorite picks from each shop for under $100!
7 female-owned small businesses in Chicago
Meet Alyssa | TrendingAbove
Tell me a little about yourself.
Hi! I am Alyssa Bove, and I’m the owner/designer for TrendingAbove. TrendingAbove is a fashion jewelry and clothing brand that delivers on-trend designs. It focuses on combining glitz and glam with an edge.
I founded the company in August 2014 to create pieces for my friends, and eventually gained a loyal following through my Instagram & personal blog. Styling an entire outfit from clothing to accessories has always been a passion for me. Therefore, in 2017, I expanded TrendingAbove with clothing to bring you the full-fashion experience.
TrendingAbove is currently based in Chicago. My pieces are sold on trendingabove.com, at select boutiques and at various pop-up events across the U.S.
Fun fact: My favorite food … cheeseburgers.
What is your experience being a female small-business owner in Chicago?
I relocated TrendingAbove to Chicago this year, because I loved the city atmosphere when visiting for TrendingAbove pop-up events. Chicago is proud and super supportive of their city’s small businesses, so I love being a Chicago small-business owner! I also love collaborating with other small businesses and people in different industries in Chicago!
What is your favorite holiday tradition or memory?
I love the sight of snow in the winter! Christmas Day brunch at my parents’ house. And in Chicago, I am excited to see the Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo!
What’s your favorite holiday song?
“All I Want for Christmas” Mariah Carey | Favorite Movie: The Grinch
What items in your shop are you gifting this year, and who are you giving it you?
My go-to gift item from TrendingAbove is the Magie Earrings in Cream. They are the perfect everyday stud for anyone from the working woman to the glam party-goer. The TrendingAbove Spike Earrings and Emme Bracelet are must-have sparkle pieces for the holidays!
Alex’s picks
edie earrings | spike earrings | baby cluster | bar lariat | staci bangle
Meet Jana | Mulberry and Me
Tell me a little about yourself.
Time spent living on Mulberry St. in the Nolita neighborhood of New York City inspired me to recreate that same specialty boutique experience with Mulberry & Me in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. Mixing beautiful basics that are staples in a woman’s wardrobe with super-special pieces that are sure to garner compliments, Mulberry & Me offers unique merchandise in a cozy neighborhood environment.
What is your experience being a female small-business owner in Chicago?
Opening and running a successful small business as a female is so empowering! It’s the best education I have ever received and it has built a strong foundation of confidence and belief in myself. It is also awesome to work with other women and watch them succeed, grow, and push themselves. Mulberry & Me is 100% female owned and operated!
What is your favorite holiday tradition or memory?
My favorite holiday memory is going snow skiing every Christmas with my family. Now I have two small children, so it is magical to see it through their eyes. Just yesterday my 2 year old son saw a Christmas tree in a neighbor’s window andWoke up this morning saying ‘Christmas tree!’
What’s your favorite holiday song?
Omg! It sounds so cheesy of me, but something Mariah Carey sings – all I want for Christmas is you!
What items in your shop are you gifting this year, and who are you giving it you?
I love the silk pillowcase and eye mask for the chic gal in your life. Sleeping on silk is sooo good for your skin. I am obsessed with our Blissfully Broke gift boxes. Kristin, the owner of the locally run company, has the best taste and sources amazing products to put in her boxes. A personal fave of mine is the box that includes a Christmas tree that you can set on your desk and it grows in just a couple of weeks! I love a cardigans with faux shearling trim for moms and I love our Candle (great hostess gift) that sits in a marble base that can be used to keep your wine chilled or as a planter after the candle burns.
Alex’s picks
ear jackets | silk eye mask | teakwood s’well bottle | weekly desk planner | pine & suede candle
Meet Emily | White Elephant Designs
Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m originally from New Orleans, LA, and went to school at Spring Hill in Mobile, AL. Straight out of college I moved to Chicago to find a job and while waiting to find the “perfect” job, I started White Elephant Designs. It originally started as a hobby in June 2012, making monogrammed items for my friends and family members back home. I absolutely love living here in Chicago and it gives me a great opportunity to network with like-minded boss girls.
What is your experience being a female small-business owner in Chicago?
I believe is the most empowering experience has been getting to know fellow girl bosses and learning, experiencing, and growing with one another over the past few years. I had the “girl gang” my entire life – coming from a family of 5 girls (and 2 boys). In the professional world, it is just as important to have that, and we are so fortunate.
What is your favorite holiday tradition or memory?
As mentioned above, I come from a large family. Christmas traditions are the strongest thing in our house and we don’t let a Christmas pass by without making sure we cross them off the list. My favorite is on Christmas morning (in the wee hours of the morning), we would all sit at the top of the stairs and a big, red ribbon would be tied so that we couldn’t pass it. We would sit there for 20’ish minutes while our parents would start their coffee, turn on the Christmas music, and tell us how awesome Santa was to all of us. When it was time, we would race down the stairs to our stockings.
What’s your favorite holiday song?
“It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Andy Williams
What item(s) in your shop are you gifting this year, and who are you giving it you?
One favorite (and holiday appropriate) is the White Porcelain Monogrammed Ornament.
Alex’s picks
“oh la la” straw hat | Moscow Mule carry-on kit | copper Canteen | topknot earrings | all for tacos card holder
Meet Kristin | Blissfully Broke
Tell me a little about yourself.
I am from the western suburbs of Chicago. Naperville, Illinois, to be exact. I grew up in Naperville my entire life before going to Kentucky for undergrad – I wanted to get away and experience life on my own outside of the “Naperville bubble,” as we liked to call it, and I had always loved the south! After graduating with a degree in Marketing & PR, I moved back to Chicago where I rented my first apartment in Lincoln Park.
I launched Blissfully Broke in June of this year so a little over 5 months ago! Something you might now know about me is I come from a family of entrepreneurs! My dad started his own construction company before I was born and sold it when I was in high school to retire. The ultimate American Dream! My brother is the most talented carpenter I know and started his own high-end custom woodworking and design company 10 years ago. Prior to Blissfully Broke I worked for the same promotional marketing and events company for 7 years. While I loved my job, I knew my calling to start my own business was something I had to do and the time was now! Oh and also I have a fear of being tickled to death.
What is your experience being a female small-business owner in Chicago?
My experience so far has been great! I find myself amazed at the new community I have been welcomed into with open arms. The whole concept of “Women Supporting Women” is absolutely mind blowing to me! Before I launched, I was so freaked out and focused on who was doing what and what competition was where but I soon learned that everyone is in this together. Being a small business is HARD!!! You are hustling every single day! And everyone else is out there hustling as well! I have learned so much from my fellow boss babes who are out there doing the same thing as me!
And don’t get me wrong, I definitely look at other social media accounts, and have the daily freak out and jot down the 10000 things I am doing wrong. But I no longer think I need to be just like them in order to succeed as a small business, I just think OH that is so smart I could be doing A, B and C to make my business better. Lets just say I learn something new every single day!
What is your favorite holiday tradition or memory?
My favorite holiday tradition is putting up all the Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving! It’s so hard for me to hold out for that long but we watch Christmas movies, drink festive drinks and play allll the holiday songs! I love it! Then we don’t take them down until February ha!!
What’s your favorite holiday song?
I am very basic when it comes to this….All I want for Christmas is You! Or I do love Michael Buble’s holiday album!
What item in your shop are you gifting this year, and who are you giving it you?
I LOVEEEE the new Holiday Bows for little girls. As for pre-curated gift boxes, the So Sweet Honey box is a personal favorite. I love the sweet little honey pot to set on my counter to add to tea and toast!
Alex’s picks
happy everything ornament | lovely jewelry dish | bar cart coasters | wake me for champagne sleep mask | spirits decanter
Meet Stacy | grace + hudson
Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m originally from northern New Jersey, but I’ve been in Chicago for about 4 years now, and I’m here to stay. The midwest suits my personality so much more than the NY area ever did! I started grace + hudson in June 2017, but this isn’t my first rodeo. I previously had a handmade jewelry boutique in New Jersey in 2010. I’ve grown so much since then, and I wanted to design a new jewelry line that reflected that. I practiced law since 2006 but have been pretty miserable every step of the way, so I finally quit the profession in February 2017 to pursue jewelry full-time, with my whole heart. So far so good!
What is your experience being a female small-business owner in Chicago?
For me, it’s such an honor to be a female business owner in Chicago. My business isn’t even 6 months old yet, and I’ve had the opportunity to do a pop-up shop on the Magnificent Mile! You just don’t get those kind of opportunities in cities like NY or LA. Chicago is truly one of a kind in that sense. Chicagoans really love Chicago-based businesses and Chicago-made products, and that shows in the opportunities that are out there for small businesses if you seek them out.
What is your favorite holiday tradition or memory?
My favorite holiday memory is definitely getting up at like 5 am with my brother and sister and getting that first peek, from the top of the staircase, at the mountain of presents waiting for us under the tree.
What’s your favorite holiday song?
My favorite holiday song is Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Clause is Coming to Town – I did mention I was born in NJ right? 🙂
What item in your shop are you gifting this year, and who are you giving it you?
Pretty much everyone I know is getting the Chloe Necklace this year. It’s perfect for everyone! I’ve seen anyone from age 14 to 45 wear this necklace, and no one can frown at a jewelry box containing a pretty little gold heart necklace, am I right?
Alex’s picks
The Nina Choker | The Savannah Bracelet | The Olivia Earrings | The Callie Bracelet | The Rachel Earrings
Meet Maggie | Mayta Collection
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am from Chicago – born and raised on the south side in the Beverly neighborhood. In 2014, I formally started my business under my other company name – Maggy May & Co – then in 2016 – I separated into two companies. I have been walking artisan markets finding unique things ever since I started traveling with my full-time job back in 2008.
One thing people might not know about me is that I once got trapped in Vienna, Austria, for work because of the volcanic ash cloud, so I decided to run the marathon that was being hosted that weekend. It was a great way to tour the city!
What is your experience being a female small-business owner in Chicago?
Being a small business female owner in Chicago has given me so many resources to be in touch with other female business owners. I listen to female podcasts from Chicago like the Pancake Town podcast and Go Forth. There are so many hosted meet-up groups and shopping events in the Chicago area where they embrace and encourage woman to collaborate and network. I love attending events like shop buzzed, dose market and show of hands to see all the female talent in Chicago.
What is your favorite holiday tradition or memory?
My favorite holiday tradition/memory was every Christmas Eve night, before my sister and I would go to bed, my parents would have us open one gift. It was always Christmas pajamas. Now that my kids are old enough to understand Christmas this year, I want to start that tradition with them.
What’s your favorite holiday song?
Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt – it is a catchy song. I was singing it one day and my 4-year-old son and his cousin would not stop singing “Santa Baby” over and over and giggling – that just put a smile on my face.
Alex’s picks
Moroccan berber handbag | Peruvian frazada pillow
Meet Molly | flour & fig
Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m originally from Michigan, so I point to a spot on my hand when I explain that I am from the west side of the state. My husband & I moved to Chicago after college, then headed out to San Francisco for a few years after I graduated from pastry school. I had the opportunity to learn from some really amazing chefs, travel & eat some of the best food. We moved back to Chicago as a family of three when sweet Ivy Grace was born & launched Flour & Fig.
Flour & Fig is a business that was created to help celebrate the largest & smallest celebrations because life should be simple & sweet. I believe that good butter makes everything taste better, sweet snacks are balanced best with a sprinkling of salt & fresh flowers make everything lovely.
We currently live in Albany Park & love how diverse it is in every way from the people to the restaurants. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me (and my family) traveling, hiking, playing games, drinking hot drinks & biking around the city.
What is your experience being a female small-business owner in Chicago?
I love Chicago, it’s a city that works hard, encourages others to work hard, but also knows when to take a step back & just enjoy the experience. As a woman, it is really important to me to show my daughter that women can be & do anything & everything. I am thankful that we currently live in a time with a lot of opportunity, but also recognize that we all of a lot of work to do. I hope to raise a daughter who is strong, compassionate, & determined, a woman who is not deterred by the word no & rises up in the face of adversity. Being a woman & a small business owner has allowed me to collaborate with other incredibly talented women & I am completely amazed & empowered by all of the female entrepreneurs I have had the opportunity to learn from & work with.
What’s your favorite holiday tradition or memory?
In my house, Christmas doesn’t come until the sugar cookies are decorated. My mom used to let us choose how to color the frosting so, many times, our Christmas cookies looked more like Easter. We would decorate with pinks, oranges, purples & blues & then smother them with Christmas sprinkles. Now, as adults, I’d like to say that we’re much more artistic, but there’s just something endearing about ugly Christmas cookies, who’s with me??
What’s your favorite holiday song?
Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas Is You. We play it every year while decorating the Christmas tree & dance around like fools ringing air bells.
Alex’s picks
Happy Holidays box | winter mix box | maple bourbon pops
Are you going to #shopsmall?
These female-owned small businesses in Chicago {in stores or online} have something for everyone on your list. Now, tell me! Are you shopping small this Saturday {& all season long!}? Let me know in the comments below or over on Instagram!
Happy shopping!
I love shopping small and thats the only shopping I did this year!!
xo, Jessica || The Petite Diaries
I love that, Jessica! Happy shopping!
I’m in love with that ivy castle fur vest!!!
Right!? I think I might need it!