Let’s go, girls. The Triangle is known as a hub for female entrepreneurs and business owners. So much so that in 2020 the Raleigh-Cary area ranked 12th in the nation on Smart Assets’ list of Best Places for Women Entrepreneurs, with ~20.4% of businesses in the area owned by women. Despite the pandemic, this sector was still able to grow to ~24% in 2021.

Here are 15 local women-owned businesses to consider supporting — from small shops to large corporations.

Bowerbird Flowers & Apothecary

📍1322 Fordham Blvd., Chapel Hill
Bowerbird was created by mom and daughter duo Diane and Lily Joyal. The pair creates beautiful custom bouquets using locally-sourced blooms. Bonus: Bowerbird hosts workshops and can arrange private classes for those who want to learn the art of floral design. 🌼

The Zen Succulent

📍123 Market St. B, Durham + 208 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh
In 2012, after several years of working with urban gardening and succulent propagation, mom and daughter duo Margaret and Megan George founded The ZEN Succulent. They opened their first brick-and-mortar store in 2016, where shoppers can find plants, succulents, supplies to create modern terrariums, and plant care supplies. 🪴

Carroll's Kitchen

📍19 E. Martin St., Raleigh
Open since 2016, this grab-and-go breakfast and lunch spot is both a storefront + a teaching kitchen. The restaurant, led by Meredith College alum Lindsey Blackenhorn, employs women in crisis — such as homelessness, domestic violence situations, and substance abuse recovery — and provides resources, goals, and a dedicated skillset to help create stability in their lives. 🍳

The Flourish Market

📍307 W. Martin St., Raleigh
Starting as a uniform delivery truck turned do-good fashion truck in October 2015, The Flourish Market works with 200+ partners to help promote positive social change worldwide. Read more about how founder Emily Grey stayed resilient over the past year and handled the pandemic. 🛍️

SEPI Inc.

SEPI headquarters are in Raleigh | Photo via Facebook

📍1 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 600, Raleigh
Sepi Saidi founded SEPI in 2001. Since then, the firm has grown to 7 locations with 250+ employees that specialize in civil engineering, environmental planning, construction management + more. 📐

Garland

📍14 W. Martin St., Raleigh
As a child, chef Cheetie Kumar learned to cook by watching her mother and grandmother in India. At Garland, the menu is driven by locally-sourced seasonal ingredients combined to create the flavors of India and Asia. 🍹

Bee Downtown

📍Hives can be found at various corporate campuses throughout the Triangle
Leigh-Kathryn Bonner, a fourth-generation beekeeper, began Bee Downtown in 2015 as 3 hives on the roof of the Burt’s Bees HQ in Durham. After 6 years, the buzz-worthy business announced plans earlier this year to expand out of state — with hives in Charlotte, Richmond, VA, Washington, DC + Tampa, FL. 🐝

Ashley Christensen Restaurants

Pooleside Pies, an Ashley Christensen Restaurant | Photo via Pooleside Pies Facebook

📍Various restaurant locations
NC native Ashley Christensen is a renowned chef + restaurateur with 5 concepts and a catering business serving the Triangle. From chicken and waffles to pizza and craft cocktails, each restaurant offers a unique dining experience. Bonus: BB’s Crispy Chicken, her new concept located in Midtown East, is opening soon. 🍗

C. Grace

📍407 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
When Catrina Godwin opened C. Grace in 2011, she re-imagined what a cocktail-driven bar could look like in Raleigh. Those who love a good drink and live jazz music will feel at home at C. Grace. 🎶

DECO

📍207 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh
DECO owner Pam Blondin opened the shop in 2012 with the idea to help grow Raleigh’s independent retail scene. Today, shoppers can find everything from locally-made housewares and decorations to gifts for every occasion, including baby showers and weddings. 🛍️

Bittersweet

📍16 E. Martin St., Raleigh
At Bittersweet, diners will find an assortment of specialty treats and cocktails. Chef-owner Kim Hammer creates seasonal menus using all-natural — and local — ingredients. 🎂

Designed For Joy

📍517 W. Cabarrus St, Raleigh
Designed For Joy is a Raleigh-based nonprofit that helps women coming from vulnerable situations gain work experience. Since its founding, the nonprofit has provided 52 artisans with safe work + supplied $140,000 in living wages. 🛍️

Captain Cookie and the Milk Man

A Captain Cookie funfetti cookie ice cream sandwich | Photo via Facebook

📍Transfer Co. Food Hall, 500 E. Davie St., Raleigh
Fresh-baked cookies and made-to-order ice cream sandwiches? Sign us up. Captain Cookie owners Juliann and Kirk Francis create tasty confections and treats while also supporting efforts to end hunger by raising funds to help local food banks, No Kid Hungry, local schools, and community organizations. 🍪

Dogwood Country Club

📍301 W. Cabarrus St., Ste. 201, Raleigh
Elyssa and Dave Nastalski opened Dogwood Country Club, a modern country club located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, in 2018. Golfers can practice rain or shine with the facility’s high-tech indoor golf facility. ⛳

Alpaca Chicken

Alpaca’s signature chicken | Photo via Facebook

📍9 locations throughout the Triangle
Ruby Bakhshi started Alpaca in 2006. Since then, the business has expanded across the Triangle. The family-owned business specializes in Peruvian “Pollo a la Brasa”-style rotisserie chicken, marinated and slow cooked over natural wood charcoal in a custom-made rotisserie oven. Yum.

We know there are dozens of other women-owned businesses in the Triangle. Share your favorites with us below. Ⓟ

Question:

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Reader submissions:

The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery
Whole Brain Escape in Apex
Marta’s of Raleigh
Rose & Lee Co. in Apex
Angel Oak Creative
Koket Boutique
321 Coffee
Beach Shack Bottles & Taps
A Place at the Table
Vita Vite
Field to Cottage Nursery
Quercus Studio
Eyepieces, INC
Possibilities boutique in Cary
The Local Squirrel
Little By Little
Raleigh Brewing Company
Alter Ego Hair Salon
Skin and Tonic
The Pink Ceiling
Trellis Beauty
Meat & Graze
110 Yoga
The English Garden
Girlwiththegoodbrows in Holly Springs
Quail Ridge Books
90 Degree Design
Life Lines Professional Services, LLC in Knightdale
Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie
A&M Paper & Printing in Durham
Sweet Tea and Cornbread NC
Centro Mexican Restaurant
moss+ross Strategic Consulting in Durham
BaySix
Diane Larson Fine Art
Triangle Spine Center
Lynch Mykins Structural Engineers
Daily Dose Wellness
The Produce Box
Raleigh Cheesy in Apex
Adore Talent
Edge of Urge
Escazu Chocolates
Yellow Dog Bread
MOFU Dumpling Shoppe
Hummingbird
Donovan's Dish in Apex
Raleighwood Media and Event Services
Chef's Palette Restaurant and Bar in Cary
Slingshot Coffee Company
Cheeni
Baja Burrito
Salon Synchronicity in Raleigh
Layers of Dignity, Inc.
Meraki Salon in Raleigh and Durham
Catering Works
Hocus Pocus Productions
Jill's Beach
Sassool Cafe
Asali Desserts Cafe in Cary
Barre-Up Raleigh
Oak City Vision Center
Rebus Works
Blossom and Bone Florals in Durham
Hairizon in Durham
Imbibe in Chapel Hill
Zog's in Chapel Hill