18 Badass Woman-Owned Businesses in Louisville To Check Out During Women's History Month

Anchal Project

1229 S. Shelby St.
Sisters Colleen and Maggie Clines lead the Anchal Project by centering not only their designs but also their collaboration with women artisans in India. Since becoming a Louisville-based 501(c)3 non-profit in 2010, Colleen expanded by partnering with the Ajmer-based NGO Vatsalya. Maggie joined her sister to co-lead the project in 2012. Today, Anchal sources recycled materials, organic fibers, and natural dyes to handcraft textile products. Among their designs are one-of-a-kind quilts made from upcycled saris. But what we are most inspired by is the global sisterhood Anchal initiated by employing and training women who have been forced into commercial sex trade, who are survivors of domestic violence, or who are otherwise vulnerable to exploitation.

khromophilia

South Asian Louisvillian Kaviya Ravi is obsessed with color. Once a display designer for Anthropologie at Oxmoor Center and then a contestant on season three of “Making It,” Ravi now describes herself as “the original khromophiliac” and the “Maker-in-Chief” at khromophilia. She and her business partner Guru design a full spectrum of accessories, including earrings, necklaces, hair clips, pins, scarves, and socks, as well as home goods including baskets, planters, and stationery. Look for khromophilia designs in the curated gift shop of the “India” exhibition at Speed Art Museum. The saturated array of colors will elevate any mood.

ARS Poetica

Lisa Ann Markuson, known affectionately by friends as L.A., is the poet who founded Ars Poetica (of Today Show fame!), a creative events agency for typewriter poets and performance artists. If you’re lucky enough to meet her near her new headquarters in the PORTAL complex, or at any of the upcoming Storyville events, she will likely write you a deeply personal poem that you’d be hard pressed to forget. Plus, she uses the cutest mint green typewriter to do so and the whole thing is as authentic and charming in real life as it is on Instagram.

Madkind Design

1860 Mellwood Ave, Studio 156
Madison Jacy has crafted a food & beverage branding and design company as a creative studio with really good taste. One peek at her Instagram (or website) (or client work) and the claim is undeniable. Madison worked as a speech-language pathologist before she decided to take a risk and pursue her passions, photography and design. You may even recognize her work from a few of the other businesses on this list. Women supporting women, y’all!

Pelo West & Golden Aesthetic Atelier

140 N Fourth St #1700 & 11421 Main St.
Kaitlyn Hubert is a hair care, beauty, and spa entrepreneur and master cosmetologist. After working in high-end salons in New York and Los Angeles, she returned home to Louisville where she’s actively involved in the local community. She is the owner of Pelo West, the new urban luxury spa at the Galt House Hotel as well as Golden Aesthetic Atelier, part of the Pelo Beauty Collective with locations in Middletown and Lexington. This year, Pelo West is the presenting sponsor of The Down with Derby Fashion Show, where Kaitlyn will volunteer to aid the organization's goal of supporting the dreams of individuals of all abilities through access, opportunity, education and advocacy.

Velvet Outlaw

1860 Mellwood Ave. Studio 268
Velvet Outlaw is Louisville-based clothing brand that focuses on body positivity, reused textiles, and really fucking cute 70’s-Western fashion. Started in Miranda Deaton’s attic in 2022, the seamstress also offers fully-custom clothing. Fringe, flair and rhinestone-fitted vests are exactly what you’ll find when you enter the newly-opened retail establishment in Mellwood Art Center.

Curate & Plate

Curate & Plate was founded by Kristina Cabañez-Winner, a medical doctor by profession and immigrant who hails from the Philippines. This boutique tablescape business is the first of its kind in Kentucky to offer unique and beautiful dinnerware patterns that elevate your dining experience for both large and intimate gatherings. As someone who was born and raised in the Philippines, Kristina uses her tablescapes to tell a story about her family traditions and culture. With 3 different collections to choose from, Kristina’s rental items are perfect for tea parties, weddings, bridal luncheons, baby showers and even for that intimate dinner at home with your loved ones.

Louisville Food Tours

Lia Garcia founded Louisville Food Tours with her husband Jeremy with a single goal in mind: to showcase the amazing city of Louisville, Kentucky to the world. After taking food tours all over the world, Lia brought her expertise back home. Her company now offers 5 different food, history, and walking tours from Nulu and Highlands-focused excursions to Phantoms Of Prohibition: Ghosts, Cocktails, & Bites Tour. Whether you’ve got friends in town or you’re just looking for something fun to do, these tours are a fun time where even lifelong locals are sure to learn something new– and make new friends while doing so!

Aurora Gallery and Boutique

1264 S. Shelby St.
This gallery and boutique in Shelby Park is not only women-owned, but also queer-owned. The dark walls and furnishings that display the often gothic and macabre art belies the delicate beauty of the space, and the sense of belonging it encourages. Visual artists Lyndi Lou, Alexandra Rumsey, and Mia Farrugia opened Aurora together in 2022 and are passionate about making their business diverse and inclusive—not only for the artists they exhibit, but for their viewers and customers too. Browse the walls for one-of-a-kind visual art, and shop the curio cabinets and tabletops for jewelry, housewares, and a regular rotation of surprises.

BioGlitz

1512 Portland Ave. Studio 3
Founder & CEO Saba Gray began developing BioGlitz™, a company that specializes in sustainable glitter, in 2014. With a background in product development of sustainable textiles and design, Gray sees glitter as “a genderless, universal tool for self expression.” You can order the biodegradable glitter online or stop by their new suite in the PORTAL complex.

Bloomed Roots

746 East Market St.
Bloomed Roots is a woman-owned Louisville flower shop and delivery service. Founder Bailey Wynn began selling succulents in collected terra cotta pots at Flea Off Market. From there, the arrangements kept getting bigger and better. Beloved for the ‘Everlasting Florals’ (bouquets that never die!), the shop also offers adorable custom creations in disco ball planters, plus, a “bloom bar” where you can buy by the stem.

The Breeze Wine Shop

1247 S. Shelby St.
Founder Sarah Height and Co-Founder Chelsea Moore launched The Breeze at the Logan Street Market in 2019, and soon expanded to the space neighboring their natty wine bar Canary Club. The wine shop and coffee bar are as breezy as their namesake. Shop a curated selection of natural wines alongside beer, sake, mocktails, and tea. Linger at the coffee bar and peruse small batch chocolate, cookbooks, and hand-made housewares. And never be mansplained about wine again.

Woman-Owned Wallet

803 E Market St
Owned by Amanda Dare, this shop gives women-owned brands a voice and place in the Nulu area. The shop (and website) is filled with items from apparel to home goods to stickers. Dare also created the Women-Owned Walking Tour so participants can support other women-owned brands in Nulu.

Revelry Boutique + Gallery

742 E Market St.
Owner Mo McKnight Howe opened Nulu’s Revelry Boutique to showcase local artists and artisans. The shop features creative pieces handmade by local artists, including wall art, jewelry & home goods. The diverse staff curates the work of more than 150 regional artists. The art in the gallery rotates every month and is always celebrated by a reception. Come for one-of-a-kind pieces including drawings, paintings, and sculptural objects, as well as books, zines, jewelry, and home décor. The community-centered space also includes the Kid's Cove dedicated to handmade art goods designed especially for children.

Maddie About Cake

Online & Pop-Up Events
Maddie About Cake is a micro bakery specializing in french macarons in fun & nostalgic flavors. The online retailer is owned by– can you guess her name– Maddie McNabb. Find her at various pop-up events throughout town or order a box of her inventive macarons with monthly specials like Fruity Pebbles and Pumpkin Pie. Though she’s a fantastic baker who loves her work, Maddie is a girl after our own hearts preferring the eating process over the baking process. Same, Maddie. Same.

Formé Millinery Co.

1009 E Main St.
For owner Jenny Pfanenstiel, “A hat can not only change your day, but it can also change your life!” Her Formé Millinery has created hats for important women like Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Madonna. Her work isn’t limited to women’s hats. Formé has three locations in Louisville: Brown Hotel, Kentucky Derby Museum (she’s the official Milliner), and the main location at 1009 E. Main Street.

Friday Love Co.

Painter and pattern designer Friday Love Co. infuses Louisville with florals. She is currently accepting commissions for illustrations of bouquets, portraits of houses, and backdrops in three different styles, all rendered in a muted color palette that balances earth tones with soft pastels.

BABE Boutique

2201 Payne St.
Owner Lambsey Reeves took her experience as a mid-sized woman and the difficulty she found when shopping and turned it into Babe Boutique. Louisville’s first shop dedicated to the mid-to-Plus-sized woman, these customers can finally experience a boutique that caters to their bodies with attractive, fun clothing and accessories. Located on the corner of Payne St. and S. Clifton Ave., Babe isn’t limited to clothing, patrons can also find a few cute home goods and gift items in the shop.