The holiday season is nearly upon us and we wanted to bring you some amazing small Black owned businesses to support this year.
‘House of Afi’ birthed in 2019 is home to art, ritual, adornment and spiritual self-care. Offering ceremonial herbal skincare, ritual candles, beaded jewellery and artistic creations. Founder of House of Afi Janina Asiedu born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand is a Queer herbalist, ancestral medium, artist and curator/facilitator of shared space.
Janina was led down the pathway of plant medicine through the spirit of their great grandmother, Mama Mintah . They have received mentorship from Rongoā Practitioner Joanne Hakaraia, participating in her Rongoā Mauri online course in 2022 and continuing to study under her today.
Over the years they have facilitated workshops in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Naarm (Melbourne) for Queer, Indigenous, Black and Brown community. Janina’s envisions sharing and furthering their practice in Africa and within the diaspora. You find them on instagram and support Janina here.
Lanzie, is a 21 year old entrepreneur with roots in Tanzania. She runs Timeless oud, a Tanzanian owned small business that offers authentic high quality oil based perfumes and bukhoor (incense) while keeping it affordable for people. These perfumes are imported and get assembled here in Aotearoa by hand. Timeless oud was started as a desire to share a significant part of Swahili culture with the people of New Zealand so they know the secret as to why Tanzanians smell so good. All the perfumes from timeless oud are alcohol free and cruelty free.
Lanzie shares lots of information on her Instagram, including how to pick a perfume that’s just right for you. Get some lovely scents here.
Esther Gathambo was born and raised in Kenya, now based in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. She started her business to empower artisans from emerging communities and inspire consumers to shop ethically, connecting with the makers behind the products. Our pieces are handmade using traditional techniques, supporting the preservation of these unique art forms. Customers enjoy beautifully crafted, quality products, while artisans gain fair income and keep their traditions alive.
Esther runs Sawubona, a Hamilton-based homeware and gift store that sells items handmade by artisans from different African countries. They provide a market and income for skilled artisans, offering a collection of meaningful, ethically made items that bring warmth and culture into your home. You can follow Sawubona on Facebook and Instagram where Esther shares stories from the artisans. Shop online here or visit her in store on Grey Street in Hamilton.
First a clear disclaimer, Daisy is our Chief Vibe Maker. She runs a small farm in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland. Daisy has recently started offering photography prints giving people the opportunity to bring nature inside. She has had a passion for helping people connect with nature and finding a way to utilize her land in the process.
After a couple of injuries Daisy had to move away from more physically demanding roles on the farm. She chose to tap into her collection of images she has taken over the years. Bringing images of nature into your home can induce calm by reducing stress. Check out her farm on Instagram and grab your print here.
We hope you find a perfect gift for you and others this year. If there’s another Black owned business you love please let us know and friendly reminder we offer tote bags and just added notebooks in our shop. Our merch helps to support our work and a portion of the profits goes back to Black creatives.
