kait dunning

12 past 7, illustrator & Founder
 

12Past7 celebrates the whimsy in life with fun and unique custom illustrations that celebrate diversity and empowerment. These illustrations are printed on greeting cards, stationary, home accessories, and art prints.

Every purchase helps support local animal shelters.

JC Smith

Bailiwick Clothing, founder
 

Bailiwick is an apparel brand that artfully merges the worlds of design, culture and purpose. We make clothing that we love, share our stories with the world, and give back to the great cities we inhabit.

leigha hollis

Culture socks, Founder
 

In a society that often asks you to conform, Culture Socks allows you to be and express yourself at all times. Whether for the culture, for the cause, or for the day job, Culture Socks offers quality footwear that promotes self-expression. It was birthed from the desire for bold and innovative sockwear that honors culture, creativity, and consciousness.

Emily Ullo Steigler

Scout & Indiana, Designer & Creator 

Emily Ullo Steigler is the designer, creator, and owner behind Scout & Indiana. The idea for Scout & Indiana, the company, was born in 2014 around the same time as her identical twin girls, Scout & Indiana. Becoming a mother inspired her to return to her creative roots and begin designing and creating for her children as well as for she and her husband as parents. The company was officially launched in 2016, with the goal of embracing good style and design as well as the humor innate in family life. Their goal is to create stylish clothes and accessories for families who stand out in the crowd.

Second Story Cards

Second Story Cards is a DC-based social enterprise that works with the homeless to create beautiful and sometimes delightfully inappropriate greeting cards. Second Story Cards’ founder worked for many years at one of the world’s leading environmental organizations and is committed to sustainability. Their cards are made in the US.

Janie Valencia

The Card Bureau, Founder

The Card Bureau is a woman-owned design company based in Washington D.C. focused on creating witty, relevant, and humorous designs for greeting cards and gift items. Started in late 2016 by Janie Velencia, a political journalist turned greeting card maker, The
Card Bureau draws inspiration from politics, intersectional feminism, and pop culture.
Our aim is to elevate female figures, empower women and young girls, and inspire self-expression and activism through the things we make. Moreover, we hope that our products will help people express their values and connect with others in a meaningful way.

Allie Stifel

Allison Street NW Designs, Founder

Allison Street NW Designs is an inclusive, modern shop for anyone who wants to wear fun earrings, available in pierced and non-pierced styles. My designs are made by hand, and named after women who inspire me. Every pair is handmade, lightweight and easy to wear. I've lived and worked in Washington, DC for 8 years as a non-profit director by day, and an earring designer by night.

Sara Phillips

Urban Forest Perfume Co. Founder

Urban Forest Perfume Co is a botanical, gender neutral perfume company based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to create thought-provoking, sybaritic perfume for those who love city living and connecting with nature.

Quinn Franklin

The Nimble Barber, Founder

Self-taught, I began woodworking after attending school in DC, creating custom orders for friends out of my small home workshop in Columbia Heights. I embraced my re-found passion for woodworking and started selling on Etsy as “The Nimble Barber,” a nickname born from my unique haircutting technique. I was able to continue woodworking full time after experiencing incredible support and encouragement from the DC small business community.

Rosalie Ferris

Common Raven, Founder

Common Raven creates beautiful practical minimalist accessories for people and their homes. Our designer has spent the last 9 years making products for other independent designers and small local brands in DC. Common Raven came to be as a result of wanting to bring what we've been creating and gifting to friends and family for years to a wider audience. The design process for each product employs efficient use of available materials and a minimal/zero-waste goal during the manufacturing process.

Mimi Fekade

Leyu Ambare Handmade Jewelry , Founder

Leyu Ambare is a jewelry brand that features naturally sourced materials from Africa. Leyu Ambare seeks to redefine luxury as handmade. I wanted to create a platform to introduce pieces that have cultural significance. It’s not just jewelry, it’s jewelry that embodies style, individuality, authenticity but also history. I started with my business seven years ago. At first, I made all kind of jewelry for myself but once I realized my friends and coworkers loved my work, I quickly turned it in to a business.

Lauren Witchie

WitchieWicks, Founder

WitchieWicks was founded in D.C. by Lauren Witchie in a little apartment in Chinatown. It started out as a hobby that quickly blossomed into an obsession. Her philosophy, is that clean candles are a necessity in the home to create an atmosphere of relaxation, comfort and to provide excitement for the senses.

Soyini George

Yinibini Baby, Founder

Designer/Owner Soyini George of Yinibini Baby uses domestically sourced organic cotton and other eco-friendly materials to make handmade products for babies and toddlers from newborn to 4T. She sews and uses non-toxic, water based ink to make tees, one-pieces, bandana bibs and bibs. The most popular piece is The Organic Cotton Bib due to its absorbency and size. Soyini George draws inspiration from her youth in Guyana and her daughter’s childhood.

Nicholas Karnaze

stubble + 'stache, Founder

I founded stubble + ‘stache in honor of my good friend and fellow Marine, Sergeant Justin Hansen who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2012. When Justin was killed in Afghanistan he had a large beard, and so, for whatever reason — I call it a coping mechanism —I decided to grow my beard out for his funeral. In doing so I was reminded of how itchy, irritated and dry facial hair can become. This inspired me to work with expert scientists to create the most effective beard and skincare products out there. stubble + ‘stache is a certified service disabled veteran owned small business pioneering the development of specialized skincare products for men with facial hair. A portion of the profits are donated to organizations helping those suffering from the physical and mental wounds of war.