This year it's all about #PurpleFriday
It’s that time of year again (well, almost).
You know the time I’m talking about. Maybe you’ve already started to feel the bombardment of advertisements all luring you into stores or online to recieve #BlackFriday deals. We’re not above this influence. We can barely resist a good sale.
This year, though, we’ve decided to take a more creative, courageous and conscious approach. Here at She Thinks Purple, we’re canceling “Black Friday” and ushering in #PurpleFriday, a day where we align our consumption with our values and make our coins count. How? By supporting social enterprises on a mission make money and make a difference in the world.
If you’d like to join the #PurpleFriday movement and make your coins count too, then shop any (or all) of the companies on our list. This list is far from comprehensive. We’ll continue to add to the list with recommendations from our community. We’ll also be featuring some of the founders and companies in our network via social media in the coming weeks as we countdown to #PurpleFriday. For starters, though, we’ve got you covered for health, beauty, fashion and more. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and join our email list to learn about special promotions.
1. The Bloomi: Did you know that many of the products marketed to women for pleasure are actually toxic, poisoning them over time? Rebecca Story has created a company that helps women enjoy intimacy as it should be, free from worry over harmful chemicals. Stock up on all of your pleasure essentials: https://thebloomi.com
2. Twice As Warm: Who doesn’t love the feeling of a new warm hat or scarf when the weather turns cool and crisp? Brian Lieberman thought everyone, especially those without a home and exposed to the elements for prolonged periods, deserved to enjoy that feeling. For every item his ecommerce company, Twice As Warm, sells, they donate new cold weather apparel to those in need. If that doesn’t warm your heart, we don’t know what would. Look good and feel even better: https://twiceaswarm.com
3. Divine Chocolate: What if your chocolate indulgence could support the environment and create economic opportunities for local farmers? You could basically eat chocolate guilt-free forever. That’d be pretty sweet! Visit Divine Chocolate to stock up on sweet treats and baking essentials, knowing you’re doing something good for the world: https://divinechocolate.com
4. Marjani Beauty: It’s no secret that the beauty industry has had a persistent blind spot. We’re encouraged by all the progress being made as brands take a more inclusive approach to creating products for women of color. Marjani Beauty is taking that to the next level. They just opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Washington DC's historic Dupont Circle where highly melanated women are highly celebrated as all of their beauty needs are met. Don’t walk, run, to their store or just shop the “old school” way: https://marjanibeauty.com
5. The Go Love Yourself Box: Let’s be honest. Life coaching is expensive and even regular ole #selfcare can be elusive. Sharon Podobnik, founder of The Go Love Yourself Box (a self-care subscription box company) knows what it’s like to be busy and overwhelmed. She created this product for people like her, regular working people who wanted to prioritize personal growth without breaking the bank. Subscribe today, and you’ll thank yourself every month: https://thegoloveyourselfbox.com
6. Soapbox Soaps: Most of us bathe everyday. (Or at least we could, if we wanted to.) But what if you didn’t have reliable access to water and basic hygiene products? Sadly, that’s the reality for too many people around the globe. Rather than get on his “soapbox” about this problem, David Simnick, founder of Soapbox Soaps, took action. For every bar of soap sold, one is donated. It’s a simple concept with a profound impact. We could all stand to say less and buy more soap: https://soapboxsoaps.com
7. 3:27 Cosmetics: Never tested on animals. Nourishing for your lips. Naturally enhances beauty for all hues. Very few cosmetic companies can make such boasts, but 3:27 Cosmetics can. It took Genevia Sawyer getting fired twice by the same company to finally answer her true calling and build the business she was meant to lead all along. We’re so glad she did, and you will be too. Put your best face forward with 3:27 Cosmetics matte lipsticks: https://327cosmetics.com
8. BLK+GRN: Founded by Dr. Kristian Henderson, a Yale and Johns Hopkins trained professor of public health and natural lifestyle curator and enthusiast, BLK+GRN marketplace is go-to-destination for all-natural products made for everyone with love by all Black artisans. Shop Black and green today: https://blkgrn.com
9. Jazmine Kionna Shoes: We certainly don’t have to tell any ladies reading this about #highheelhell because they know the struggle all too well. And let’s be honest, most gentlemen have had to lend an arm at some point to a mother, sister, partner or friend limping along in painful high heels. Thankfully, Jazmine Kionna Davis has put her product science training to good use to create an insole technology that promises to comfort your soles every step of the journey. A portion of the profit from every pair of shoes sold helps comfort young women who’ve experienced trauma. Pre-order your pair and support Jazmine Kionna Shoes’ crowdfunding campaign: https://ifundwomen.com/projects/jazmine-kionna-shoes
10. Well Kept Beauty: We wouldn’t wish allergies on anyone. For those of you with senstiive skin or allergies, we know you understand the struggle. This year, give yourself or someone you love the gift of radiant skin, minus the pesky irritations from harmful chemicals and allergens. Download the Well Kept Beauty app today or visit their beautiful website to learn more: https://wellkeptbeauty.com
11. Vela Bougie: After a long bout with homesickness while working and living abroad, Sharla Brown discovered a connection to home through the ritual of burning candles with familiar smells. This inspired her to launch a sustainable soy-candle company that’s gentle on the earth and soothing for the soul. Shop her collection and create home wherever you go: https://velabougie.com
11. BoldxChange: For co-founders Danielle Deavens and Doug Spencer, building Bold xChange is a true labor of love. Their platform builds trust between consumers and Black-owned brands, generating wealth for entrepreneurs and showcasing the pride of diverse communities through apparel and consumer goods. Shop boldly today: https://boldxchange.com
12. Rodan+Fields: Established as a joint venture of dermatologists Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, Rodan+Fields offers women entrepreneurs, like Rachel Bohm, the opportunity to build businesses that help others love what they see when they look in the mirror. Rachel’s commitment is more than skin deep. An author, fitness and nutrition expert and coach, she takes a holistic approach to helping clients realize their full potential. https://rboehm.myrandf.com
Danielle Kristine Toussaint, founder + CEO of the women-led creative social enterprise, She Thinks Purple, is a storyteller, strategist and social impact brand whisperer. She has been the writing pen behind op-eds and speeches for Huffington Post, Forbes.com, and TEDx. Danielle holds a B.A. in Political Science and African American Studies from Yale University and a M.S.Ed from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. She’s a founding member of Tide Risers and excited to expand the network to Washington, D.C. in 2019. She's a graduate of Founder Gym and #BFFLabs.
