Growing Filipino-Owned Online Businesses
Supporting small businesses allows us to shop for items that are often left out of popular culture. Some of the most unique clothes, accessories, and decor I own are from small, local businesses. Shopping at these stores is also a way to uplift our communities and reduce our carbon footprint.
Recently, I have found some unique, Filipino-owned small businesses that are worth your money. Not only is it essential to support these businesses because they are growing, but also because they work to maintain a cultural presence in mainstream media. Here are only a few of my favorite Filipino-owned shops that you can support through their websites:
First is Shop Para Sa’Yo. Two Filipina-American sisters created a curated selection of Filipino-inspired gifts, packaging, boxes, and much more. Personally, their gift selection is very nostalgic and incorporates a lot of meaningful items that I associate with my childhood and Lolo and Lola’s house. One of my favorite gifts is the Spam candle; this is a papaya and mango scented candle made from soy. My other favorite is the Filipino sewing kit pin, which is in fact, a blue cookie tin. These gifts have personalized messages or a gift tag that will be handwritten upon ordering.
Next is the apparel shop Bahala Na based in Los Angeles. They feature minimalist and cute hoodies and shirts that are embroidered with the shop’s easy-going name: “Bahala Na” meaning “come what may.” This is a saying that has significance to the brand and its values. My favorite shirt is their “Bahala Ka Sa Buhay Mo Tee” in white. I just found their totes that have Bahala Na printed in red lettering, and I will definitely be purchasing one in the weeks to come.
Lastly is Emme Essentials; although they are not exclusively a Filipino brand, I still wanted to include them because they feature Filipino scented candles. This Asian-American couple’s mission was to create an assortment of Asian-inspired candle scents ranging from lychee to pomelo. The couple wanted to create a smell of comfort to those missing home, as well as a way to connect their culture to different people. My favorite is the ube scented candle which takes on a slightly woody, vanilla aroma that is accurate to the name.
