Celebrating Women-Owned Small Business Month

We might be a little biased, but we think one of the coolest parts of gifting with Loop & Tie is knowing your budget helps support small businesses, artisans, and makers. Every gift is an investment in creativity, community, and connection.

In celebration of Women-Owned Small Business Month this past October we highlighted some of the incredible female-founded brands in the Loop & Tie marketplace. These founders are not only creating remarkable products — they're catalysts working towards a more inclusive economy.

Speaking of the economy, women-owned businesses are a powerful force, representing nearly 40% of all companies in the U.S. and generating more than $2 trillion in annual revenue. Yet, many still face barriers when it comes to accessing funding and scaling growth. That’s why it’s so incredibly important to champion and support women entrepreneurs — not just in October, but all year long.

We’re proud to share the stories of the women behind these brands, whose creativity and resilience remind us that every gift can spark meaningful impact.

Meet Oxalis Apothecary

Meet Erin Wexstten, founder of Oxalis Apothecary, a New Orleans-based skincare company built on one simple belief: joy belongs in our everyday rituals. From hand-poured aromatherapy rollers to skincare designed for every generation, Erin’s products reflect intention, care, and connection.

What makes Oxalis special? Every product is still made in small batches, often by Erin herself. This incredible craftsmanship has built a brand that customers have trusted for over a decade.

Oxalis is designed to feel both luxurious and approachable, with branding that’s as beautiful on your shelf as it is effective on your skin. It’s a line made to be shared – whether as a self-care treat or a meaningful gift.

By sending gifts with Loop & Tie, you’re using your corporate gifting budget to amplify small businesses like Oxalis Apothecary and help them reach new audiences. That’s impact worth celebrating.

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Meet Bowerbird Studio

Meet Betsy Leighton, founder of Bowerbird Studio, a Maine-based maker channeling her lifelong love of color, pattern, and fabric into cozy knits and bright accessories that feel like art for your home. Inspired by a species of bird that collects beautiful objects to build its nest, Betsy built her studio around the same idea: curating beauty, comfort, and joy.

After a long career in education, Betsy returned to her first love: making things by hand. What began as a few sewing projects "just for fun" blossomed into a studio filled with vibrant textiles.

For Betsy, Bowerbird Studio is all about bringing a little more color into the world through her quilted pillows, bold scarves and blankets, and chic home accessories. Each piece is crafted with heart, intention, and the goal of infusing more joy into everyday life. We think that's a mission everyone can get behind.

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Meet Merigold

Meet Hillary Tijerina, founder of Merigold, a clean skincare brand born from a lifelong passion for healing and intention. Hillary’s journey began during her childhood in Papua New Guinea, where she was inspired by the strength and community of the women around her. “Meri” means woman in Tok Pisin, and the marigold homonym nods to both the flower's healing properties and its importance in her husband’s Mexican heritage. These layered meanings weave together to represent Hillary’s past, present, and future in one name.

Before creating Merigold, Hillary spent over a decade as a pediatric nurse. That experience - as well as her later training as a chef, nutritionist, and skincare formulator - shaped her belief that caring for others starts with caring for ourselves. Every Merigold product invites a moment of pause: a simple act of mindfulness in a world that rarely slows down.

Merigold's mission is to help you reconnect with yourself. Wash your face with intention, nourish your skin and spirit, and love the person you already are.

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Meet Modern Picnic

When Ali Kaminetsky graduated from college and started working in New York City, she quickly realized something was missing: a chic and sustainable way to bring her lunch to work. Leftover plastic grocery bags and childish lunchboxes just weren’t cutting it. So at 22, she decided to create what she couldn’t find, and Modern Picnic was born.

The company launched in 2018 with a line of lunchboxes that blend timeless design and materials with real-world functionality. From preppy wicker bags to chic suede totes, Ali created silhouettes to match a broad range of styles and tastes.

Since then, Ali’s journey has taken her from her first office job to the set of Shark Tank, where she shared her story (and her sleek lunch bags) with millions. Her grit, creativity, and belief that “sometimes no just means maybe later” have fueled Modern Picnic’s growth.

Today, Modern Picnic has evolved beyond lunchboxes to include food containers, insulated fanny packs, and coolers in a variety of sizes. Their versatile bags are used by working professionals, new moms, students, and travelers alike. And through Loop & Tie, companies can now gift Modern Picnic products as meaningful, design-forward alternatives to traditional corporate swag.

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Meet Scentille

When Nimmi Chainani moved from the Philippines to the U.S. for grad school, she didn’t know that one day she’d start her own candle company. But when the pandemic hit, life got very quiet. Far from family and friends, Nimmi began to rely on scent as a way to feel connected to the world again.

Lighting a candle became a small daily ritual that filled her space with calm. That practice eventually evolved into Scentille, a candle company inspired by some of Nimmi's favorite fragrances.

Nimmi approaches each fragrance like a story. She starts with a name and a feeling, builds a mood board, and works closely with fragrance houses to create a scent that captures that emotion. Her collections reflect the things she loves, from the smell of the ocean in Yacht Club to the sophistication of Little Black Bag.

And, of course, quality is everything. She partners with leading manufacturers to ensure every candle is perfectly poured and smells just as she imagined. What began as a creative outlet during a time of isolation has grown into a way to enjoy a little luxury every day through the simple act of lighting a candle.

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Meet Royln

When college roommates Kristin Wielenga and Pattie Friedman came up with their catchphrase Think Royln, it was their way of reminding each other to be their best, most authentic selves. A secret way to say "you got this!" or "trust your gut."

After years working in the fashion industry, both women found themselves consulting and raising daughters. They realized they’d been helping others build brands instead of creating something of their own. So they did what they’d always done: cheered each other on and took a leap.

They decided to build a fashion brand of bags designed for "life on the fly," named after their secret catchphrase. From carry-ons to crossbodies, every Think Royln design is fashion first while still being incredibly functional for everyday life. Each piece can be styled multiple ways to capture the wearer's personality.

As Pattie puts it: “Have fun with your bag. Wear it your way. It's made to compliment your life.” We’re proud to spotlight Think Royln as part of Women-Owned Small Business Month.

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Meet Caftari

While Shreya Aggarwal started her career in merchandising, she was always fascinated by biology and neuroscience - particularly the connection between scent and the human brain. She couldn’t stop wondering: How do fragrances influence the way our brain works?

That curiosity became Caftari, a candle and fragrance brand grounded in science. Each scent is designed with an understanding of how the olfactory system connects to emotion, using fragrance to calm your nerves or boost your mood.

In addition to being focused on scent, Shreya is also dedicated to keeping Caftari products sustainable. Every candle is made from clean, natural ingredients, poured into recyclable ceramic vessels that can be reused long after the final burn. In fact, the brand’s newly launched body oils were created when customers discovered that Caftari’s wax melted so purely, it could double as scented skincare.

Through scent and science, Caftari invites us to take a moment and breathe. Your nervous system will thank you.

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We’re proud to share the stories of the women behind these brands, whose creativity and resilience remind us that every gift can spark meaningful impact.

Inspired by these stories? Keep the momentum going. Explore Loop & Tie's Women-Owned collection and make your next gift one that gives back.

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