Asian Owned Startups & Businesses
Submitted by Luann Ji
With November coming to a close, Black Friday is right around the corner. This time of year can be stressful or exciting, as it’s the perfect occasion to splurge on gifts for yourself or others with limited deals everywhere. To help, here are some Asian owned businesses to satisfy all your shopping needs!
Food
Umamicart
Umamicart is a food grocery delivery service founded by Andrea Xu. She is first generation Chinese and takes inspiration from her story. She grew up in Spain where her parents immigrated to and opened their own Chinese restaurant which she has distinct fond memories of the dishes she ate. Now, she is in Brooklyn, NYC where she bases her business. On the website, you can find a variety of categories of food, from fresh items to dry snacks. What’s great about the site is the ease in finding ingredients. You can just add the items to your cart and have it shipped right to your door! They include popular items from different countries in Asia, not just the eastern ones. You’ve got your essentials like chili oils, preserved vegetables, throwback snacks, and of course, instant noodles. You can also discover new recipes to try out with the products you buy. The online platform even has a wellness section and a page dedicated to informing others about MSG and racism against Asians, something I highly recommend reading!
Link: https://umamicart.com/
Nguyen Coffee Supply
Nguyen Coffee Supply is a specialty Vietnamese sustainable coffee company founded by first generation Vietnamese American, Sahra Nguyen. They are based in New York, but ship anywhere in the USA. The widely supported brand imports robusta beans from a farm in Vietnam. Robusta is a low acidic and highly caffeinated species of coffee bean that is truly delicious. Their mission is to celebrate Asians in the US coffee industry by providing a unique and authentic experience that you would find in Vietnam. You can enjoy their products by going online to their website to shop. There is a variety of products to choose from, including different blends in bags and coffee making supplies. For enthusiasts, there’s even a subscription you can apply for that delivers roasts to your doorstep. Also, there is a section dedicated to recipes and instructions for them. Everything is relatively affordable and packaged beautifully. If you are looking for a gift or just shopping for yourself, then this is something I highly recommend checking out! P.S. it’s worth trying out if you are looking for something new.
Beauty
Doe lashes
Doe Lashes is a beauty company owned by CEO Jason Wong. They sell a variety of Korean lightweight silk lashes and related accessories that are tailored towards Asians. You can choose from different categories like natural or full glam at amazing, affordable prices. From personal experience, I highly recommend buying. Not only are the lashes comfortable to wear, but also give a stunning look all while being reusable. What’s more, is how inclusive they are. You can take a quiz that takes into account your eye shape and desired style which then gives you suggestions. Most brands forget to include minorities, but this company does not. It takes into consideration the facial features that Asians have and makes wonderful products that reflect and enhance these characteristics. Plus, the packaging is super cute!
Pink Moon
Pink Moon is a female led, eco friendly skincare and beauty business run by founder Lin Chen. The brand prides itself on its values which are inclusivity and self care. On their website, you can find a range of amazing products from your essentials like masks and moisturizers to bath soaps and aromatherapy oils. (Plus, there’s a skin type quiz you can take to find the right goods for you!) There are some makeup items such as polishes and lipsticks. Additionally, there’s even a home section with dog shampoos, kitchen towels, and herbal teas. Everything wellness related you can find on here at moderately affordable prices. Even more, the way everything is branded and made is so stunning and wholesome! What I especially adore about this enterprise is their genuine support for others. 1-5% of their revenue is donated to different non-profit organizations with themes like racial equity and women’s empowerment. If you are looking to give yourself or others some more self love, this is the place to be!
Link: https://pinkmoon.co/
Fashion
Chunks
Need something different to try out when it comes to clothes? No further need to look, just check out Chunks! Chunks is a fashion accessories brand run by Parsons School of Design alum, Tiffany Ju. Inspired by the Memphis design movement, Ju along with five other women started the small business to channel her love of art, trends, and nostalgia in clothes. The accessories are made with acetate which is a plant based material that is super durable. Additionally, they proudly manufacture everything from China. On the website, you can find a hair and sunglasses section. Among the hair products are barrettes and claws (large clips) that come in all different shapes and sizes. Similarly, you can pick from various styles of sunglasses. Everything that is on here is super trendy and adorable with lots of cool colors and patterns. Not to mention, it’s all very affordable and good quality!
Link: https://chunks.shop/
Notte
Looking for some cute and stylish jewelry? Notte is an online jewelry store founded by Jessica Tse. The brand offers a wide array of earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and hair clips at decent prices. (It is a bit more expensive, but definitely worth the money!) Everything is handmade and carefully crafted. There are various aesthetics including the trendy 2000’s vibes to the clean chic aesthetic. Also, there is the “Smile for Charity” collection created as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in hopes of keeping a smile on your face in such uncertain and difficult times. All of the merchandise includes charms with smiley faces on them. 50% of the money made by purchases from here is donated to “Heart of Dinner,” a non-profit organization helping to end hunger and isolation in the Asian-American elderly community through giving meals and custom notes.
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