50 Asian-Owned Companies You Can Support Right Now

The rise of anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic has taken a psychological and financial toll on the Asian American community. Supporting Asian-owned companies is one way to help.

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Anti-Asian hate crimes have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic started: Asian American families and individuals have been verbally abused and physically attacked, and Asian-owned companies have been boycotted and vandalized. When a community is suffering, there are many ways to step up and show support. One of the easiest ways to be an ally to the Asian American community is to shop from Asian-owned businesses.

With Asian fashion, entertainment, and Asian American books all gaining popularity, this should be a treat. To help get you started, here’s a list of 50 Asian American–owned businesses you can support right now—and get some amazing items in the process. There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re looking to fill your closet, decorate your home, send gifts to friends, feed your cravings, or even expand your skills. After browsing below, check out our lists of Black-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and LGBTQ-owned businesses.

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Accessories

Capsule

Capsule creates thoughtfully designed wallets that are both multifunctional and minimalist. It began when founder Robert Sha became frustrated with available wallets. They were either not fashionable, not functional, or far too expensive. His Capsule products solve all three of these problems—and look good while doing it. The Ace, the thinnest in the collection, has dedicated spaces for all your essentials. It fits your ID, cards, and cash, all with a footprint barely larger than a credit card and a price that won’t leave your wallet empty.

Covry

Founders Athina Wang and Florence Shin met in high school and reconnected to tackle a problem they both saw: Glasses were manufactured with industry-standard measurements that didn’t fit all face sizes and shapes. Covry creates comfortable and stylish glasses using a wide range of measurements so the frames can flatter any face. Even better, you can try them on at home before you commit, making this a great place to buy glasses online. Both glasses and sunglasses are produced in small, handcrafted batches, which means less waste and more new styles. These Hao Rose frames are a beautiful example of the unique details that Covry is so skilled at executing.

Ren

Warning: You’re going to want everything on this affordable jewelry site. Ren is a family-run studio that specializes in fine jewelry made to last “a lifetime and beyond,” and its made-to-order pieces showcase jade, a gemstone to which founder Crystal Ung feels a deep connection. After she fell in love with a vintage jade bracelet that cost $8,000, she set out to create a brand that was more accessible. With pieces like these Ali earrings, named after comedian Ali Wong, Ren merges East Asian traditions with today’s Asian American culture. Each piece is timeless, responsibly sourced, and benefits the next generation of Asian Americans, with 10 percent of all sales donated to Apex for Youth and Asian Youth Center.

Woo Ceramics

Heidi Woo is the artist behind the meticulously crafted creations of Woo Ceramics. Her shop carries a variety of handmade mugs, home decor, jewelry, and astounding miniature pottery pieces. She specializes in unique earrings that feel magically lightweight while still making a statement. These ceramic half-moon earrings would make a beautiful gift for a loved one—or for yourself! Woo Ceramics also features a Black Lives Matter collection, and 100 percent of the proceeds from this collection go to these BLM charities and organizations: Black Visions Collective, the Loveland Foundation, Urban Justice Center, and Black Trans Travel Fund.

Ying & Kang

For jewelry with a personal touch and positive energy, New York–based jewelry studio Ying & Kang has you covered. Creators Ying Hernandez and Yvette Lee Kang attend to each stage of the creative process with intention and skill. By hand-selecting each material and hand-making every piece of jewelry in an environment that is “harmonious and filled with music and inspiration,” they imbue each piece with wishes for its owner. If you’re seeking enhanced focus, strong verbal communication, and a positive outlook this year, they have a bracelet for that. Or peruse their collection to find items that are connected to social justice causes; Ying & Kang will donate between 30 and 100 percent of proceeds to a listed charity.

Linjer

Husband-and-wife team Jenn Chong and Roman Khan cofounded the sustainable accessories brand Linjer because they were fed up with having to overspend to buy beautiful, high-quality products that would last and with choosing between unsustainable fast fashion and overpriced luxury brands. As a direct-to-consumer brand, the Hong Kong–based company aims to offer luxury products at a fraction of the price of traditional brands. And they do it using the most eco-friendly and long-lasting materials available while offsetting carbon emissions for every shipment dispatched to customers. Linjer’s gold vermeil Kirsten Pearl Huggies have been spotted on numerous celebrities—and cost only $87.

Hey Maeve

This pandemic-born brand aims to bring minority representation and growth to the fashion industry. Founded by entrepreneur Alicia Sandve, the brand is best known for its wide array of 18 karat gold–plated, water-resistant, hypoallergenic, and nickel-free jewelry, like these sparkling gold-plated stainless steel Snowdrop Hoops. The brand also carries unique home, beauty, and lifestyle products, all under $70. An advocate for women around the world, Hey Maeve has partnered with i=Change to donate $1 from each sale to the shopper’s choice of women-focused charities.

Maskela

Taiwanese American Carol Chen founded the luxury face mask brand Maskela after being turned away from her private club for wearing a disposable face mask. She went home that day and immediately began turning dresses from her own designer gowns into face masks, and it grew from there. The former Miss San Francisco previously had a fashion label in Los Angeles that was sold in more than 300 stores, a uniform factory in China, an MMA brand in Hong Kong worn by international fighters, and a dress rental company in Singapore that outfitted the stars of the movie Crazy Rich Asians. This Batik Blue Maskela mask, inspired by the iconic Singapore Airlines uniform, is a stunner that will also keep you safe.

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Books and magazines

Banana

With so few Asian-owned companies in the publishing industry, publications for the Asian community are an essential part of the ecosystem. They provide a place for Asian American authors to get their start and a place for readers to find representation and conversation. Founded by first-generation Asian Americans Vicki Ho and Kathleen Tso, Banana magazine is a sumptuous deep dive into the exploration of Asian American identity. Its title comes from the label “banana,” which is sometimes used as a criticism for East Asians who seem overly steeped in American culture. The magazine takes the term that has been used as a taunt and flips it into a celebration of all things Asian American. The latest issue features interviews with Saturday Night Live‘s Bowen Yang, The Daily Show‘s Ronny Chieng, and more. The cover art is gorgeous enough to make this magazine a display-worthy coffee table book.

Chinatown Pretty

The Chinatown Pretty blog started as a project between photographer Andria Lo and writer Valerie Luu. After noticing the vibrant fashion of older residents in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the two set out to capture it through photos and interviews. Now you can leaf through these luminous portraits in book form. Chinatown Pretty: Fashion and Wisdom from Chinatown’s Most Stylish Seniors brings together images, advice, and inspiration from six Chinatowns. It’s a celebration of color, pattern, joy, and resilience—things we could all use a little more of.

Slant’d

Part of allyship is a will to learn more about communities outside one’s own. (That’s also one way to better understand race relations in America.) So much understanding can be built from reading and taking in art. Slant’d magazine brings together writers, illustrators, photographers, and more to share pieces of the Asian American experience through their personal stories. Each issue revolves around a central theme and features a different group of contributors. You can order the latest issue, Wonder, or dive into a back issue.

Yu and Me Books

Hailed as New York City Chinatown’s first Asian American woman-owned bookstore, Yu and Me Books also serves as a community space, showcasing the voices of Asian authors both on its shelves and through live events. Its founder, Lucy Yu, dreamed of creating a home for books that focused “on the strong, diverse voices of our community, with a focus on immigrant stories.” It is now a dream come true for book lovers. Along with a wonderful selection of titles, the bookstore offers drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and cozy corners for getting into deep conversations. If you don’t have a chance to visit Yu and Me Books in New York, you can still support this Asian-owned company by perusing its online shop.

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Clothing and shoes

Nimble Made

Wesley Kang, cofounder of Nimble Made, was tired of the ill-fitting dress shirts he had to wear to his finance job every day. Plenty of brands dedicated collections to petite women’s clothing, but it was rare to find the equivalent for men like Kang. So he and cofounder Tanya Zhang left their corporate jobs to self-fund and run Nimble Made in 2018. A perfect example of how Asian clothing can influence and benefit inclusivity, Nimble Made makes dress shirts, casual shirts, and flannel shirts that fit slim silhouettes to a T. Even if a fitted slim-cut is not what you’re looking for, you can also stock up on high-quality basics like T-shirts and accessories, including this versatile denim cotton tie.

Pepper

Pepper continues the trend of Asian-owned companies created through firsthand experience of a gap in the marketplace. This is a brand for women who are tired of bras that gap, slip, or otherwise make them feel like they’re not enough. Traditional bra companies have created unrealistic body standards through marketing images and often don’t carry bras that fit small chests. After her own shopping frustrations, the CEO and cofounder of Pepper, Jaclyn Fu, set out to create products and a community that supports women with small chests. The brand’s most popular product is the oh-so-comfortable Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra, which you can purchase in a range of pretty colors and perfect sizes. You might also want to pick up these essential bras for everything in your wardrobe.

Sorah Yang

Sorah Yang is a dancer, choreographer, entrepreneur, and creative director from the Bay Area. Most recently, she worked as associate choreographer for the Britney Spears Broadway musical. Her apparel line specializes in clothing for dancers, and each piece is comfortable, breathable, and fashionable. You don’t have to be a dancer to appreciate these looks, though. They fit the lifestyle of those who love to move and those who love to lounge but still want to look put together. Pick up a pair of easy sweatpants, and follow Yang on Instagram to keep an eye out for community initiatives, which have included fundraisers for essential workers and micro-grants for her students.

Grey State

Whether you’re a fan of Asian fashion or American loungewear, Grey State is a versatile brand with something for you. The best-selling Hudson V-neck, made of soft, textured cotton, is an homage to the laid-back lifestyle the brand celebrates. Born and raised in Bangladesh, Saima Chowdhury founded Grey State in 2015 to provide an edited selection of relaxed luxury clothing that gives comfort, style, and a sense of calm confidence to a woman’s busy schedule. Grey State is female-owned and -operated, and it’s committed to keeping its environmental impact low.

Avre

Taiwanese-born sisters Julie and Connie Kuo started Avre to offer sustainable footwear to empowered women. Each shoe, like the Momentum durable, lightweight sneaker, is made from recycled materials and knitted with fibers created from recycled PET plastic from eight to ten water bottles. Avre stands with other Asian-owned companies and leaders in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community against turning a blind eye to unlawful acts of hate and violence.

Wishbone New York

Chinese American Margaret Zhou Pattillo is a lifestyle, fashion, and celebrity photographer who founded Wishbone New York to create affordable premium loungewear (check out the super-cute Spilt Milk T-shirt) and to help curb the drug epidemic. To that end, a percentage of Wishbone’s revenue goes to drug-prevention nonprofits and organizations. Follow Wishbone New York on Instagram, as exclusive collections drop frequently.

JellyPop Shoes

JellyPop Shoes was founded by Jennet Chow, a second-generation Taiwanese American. Her interest in shoes began as a child, when she helped her parents sell shoes at local swap meets. Now she runs a multimillion-dollar shoe brand, but she hasn’t forgotten her humble roots. JellyPop consistently donates shoes and works with nonprofits that address environmental and social issues. The company specializes in ethical, vegan, affordable shoes in styles that are impossible to resist. Brighten your look with these lemony sneakers, or pick up an adorable pair of multicolor kicks for the toddler in your life. Want more sneaker options? Check out these fantastic women’s walking shoes.

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Cosmetics

CLE

Asian-owned companies are especially sought after when it comes to beauty products, and CLE is a top-notch example. Founder Lauren Jin set out to create the highest-quality skin care and makeup for modern women. Korean technology and methods currently lead the way in beauty trends, and CLE’s products lend themselves to the multistep skin care routine that is the signature of Korean beauty. Each product is incredibly versatile. The brand’s Multi Cream, for instance, serves as a daily moisturizer for the face, the body, and even the hair. CLE prides itself on being nontoxic, vegan, and cruelty-free, and it aims to give customers products that “nurture your most natural state.”

Glow Recipe

Cofounders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee had a combined 20 years of work at L’Oreal when they created their own brand, which went from Shark Tank in 2015 to CNBC’s Upstart 100 list in 2018. Glow Recipe is rooted in skin care that’s fun, a concept made immediately clear by the bright and inviting colors on its website and packaging. Each product has a “superfruit base,” such as watermelon, blueberry, pineapple, or avocado. Cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free ingredients are a priority for this brand. Start out with a best seller like the Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask, or go for a face sunscreen packed with skin-boosting niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Live Tinted

In 2015, Deepica Mutyala made a viral video showing how she used red lipstick to conceal under-eye circles. In the overwhelming response, she saw the need for makeup that served every shade of skin. Live Tinted started as a community, where Mutyala listened to ideas and feedback. In 2019, she launched the product Live Tinted is now known for: the brilliant four-in-one Huestick. You can use it as a color corrector, an eye shadow, a blush, and a lipstick. Try it out in a rich brick shade, Found, that works with any skin tone.

Velour

Velour excels at all things brow and lash. Founder Mabel Lee has perfected the art of the lash with products that are vegan, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free. Choose from a range of lash lengths and styles that’ll help you fake the sort of fullness and length you can’t get from a simple tube of mascara. Or try out innovative products like Lash & Go, an eyeliner and magnetic lash adhesive in one.

Emilie Heathe

Founded and helmed by Emily H. Rudman, Emilie Heathe is a makeup brand that focuses on quality, nontoxic ingredients. A Korean adoptee, Rudman grew up surrounded by images of Western beauty that didn’t reflect her own. For years, she wanted to push away her heritage, but as she studied the makeup industry in depth, she found herself drawn to Asian-inspired ingredients for their soothing and healing properties. Her brand now specializes in clean lip color, lip care, brow products, and nail polish. Most recently, she partnered with Warner Brothers Studios and DC to launch the Emilie Heathe x The Batman Collection in celebration of the new film.

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Food and beverage

Oakland Fortune Factory

This small, family-run business has been making fortune cookies for three generations. It’s the oldest fortune cookie shop in Oakland, and the owners pride themselves on continuing the tradition of making each cookie by hand. You can customize your order by choosing from an array of designs and flavors, and you can even personalize the messages inside the cookies. Instead of a birthday cake this year, try a giant fortune cookie! Each purchase helps support the Oakland Fortune Factory’s minority employees.

Mazu Mushrooms

Arthur Lee’s parents fled the Cultural Revolution in China and ended up in Pescadero, California, where they started a mushroom farm with Lee’s grandmother. After graduating from college with a degree in ecology and evolution, Lee returned to his roots and is now a third-generation mushroom farmer. Mazu Mushrooms serves a variety of fresh mushrooms out of Santa Cruz, but if you’re not in the area and want to try your hand at growing, you can order a grow kit like this one for Blue Oyster mushrooms.

Nguyen Coffee Supply

For anyone craving a strong, smooth cup of coffee, Nguyen Coffee Supply is ready to deliver to you. Founder Sahra Nguyen is a multitalented entrepreneur who is also the cofounder of a restaurant and a podcasting agency, among other projects. Many don’t know that Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, and some coffee drinkers have misconceptions that beans from Vietnam are of lower quality. Nguyen is setting the record straight with delicious blends she sources from a family-run farm in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Find out which blend is your favorite by sampling the Original Vietnamese Coffee Trio, which also makes a great gift for coffee lovers.

Omsom

Vanessa and Kim Pham are a dynamic duo of sisters who want to give everyone “real-deal Asian cuisine.” If you’re new to cooking Asian food or are looking for a way to make dinner faster, Omsom’s flavor packets are a must-have. Add a packet of Omsom to whatever proteins and vegetables you have at home, and voilà! You have a delicious, aromatic meal. Try the Best Seller Set to make 18 meals split among Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ, Thai Larb, Japanese Yuzu Misoyaki, Korean Spicy Bulgogi, and Thai Krapow. Recipes are included, and all take less than 30 minutes.

Brightland

After getting sick from cooking with bad oils, Aishwarya Iyer learned of a history of problems in the olive oil industry. Her firsthand need for higher-quality cooking oils inspired her to move across the country to California, where Brightland’s delicious, nutrient-dense extra virgin olive oil is now made. Since its inception in 2018, Brightland has expanded to vinegar and honey, all made with the same integrity as the original product. With beautiful packaging and pairings, the products also make wonderful gifts for foodie friends and family. Try The Luminous Capsule for a trio of honey, oil, and vinegar—the perfect start to a delicious dressing.

Partake

If you’re one of the 32 million Americans who suffers from food allergies, rejoice! You most likely can partake in delicious snacks by Partake. This woman-owned company makes all its food free from the top nine allergens. That means crunchy and soft-baked cookies, baking mixes, and breakfast mixes are all void of peanuts, eggs, dairy, soy, tree nuts, sesame, fish, wheat, and shellfish. Denise Woodard, a Black and Korean entrepreneur, founded Partake with a mission to make snacking more inclusive. When her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, finding healthy and yummy snacks for her suddenly became harder. The ultimate mom, Woodward left her job, sold her engagement ring, and drained her 401k to found Partake. Since then, she has raised more than $7.5 million, with impressive investors that include Rihanna. If you’re like us and can’t decide on just one of these fun snacks, try the Denise’s Favorites variety pack.

Umamicart

Wish you had a great Asian grocery store near you? You do—it just happens to be online! Umamicart currently provides next-day delivery to zip codes in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and the company has plans to expand to more states this spring. Select from more than 500 items, from fruits and vegetables to meats, tofu, snacks, and drinks. If you’d like a little more direction, you can also order a kit that has everything you need for a specific recipe, like the Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rolls) kit. Founded by Andrea Xu, Umamicart sources from Asian American–owned businesses, mom-and-pop suppliers, and Asian American founders creating new products.

Yobo Soju

Korean American mom and lawyer Carolyn Kim wanted to create a premium spirit that was easy to drink and paid homage to her roots. The result: Yobo Soju. Handcrafted in the New York Finger Lakes region, the award-winning spirit has a lighter alcohol content (23 percent alcohol by volume) and clean taste, and it’s free of gluten, sugar, preservatives, and additives. It’s also low calorie (36 calories per ounce) and keto friendly. In the first two months of 2021, the company donated 100 percent of profits to COVID-19 restaurant and food-service relief and will continue to help fund organizations paving the way for minority-owned small business owners, struggling restaurants, and the workers who support them. If you can’t find Yobo Soju near you, purchase on Wine.com.

Xiao Chi Jie

Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are notoriously hard to make but mouthwateringly delicious. To taste good-quality versions, you usually have to go to a restaurant that specializes in the delicately wrapped Chinese dumplings. Xiao Chi Jie started as a restaurant in Seattle in 2018, founded by friends Caleb Wang, Jennifer Liao, Norman Wu, and chef Brian Yong. During the pandemic, the team needed to pivot, and they figured out how to freeze and ship their most beloved dishes, including Pork Xiao Long Bao and Savory Chicken Xiao Long Bao. Each pack comes with 50 perfect dumplings, frozen and ready to be steamed whenever you have a craving.

GimMe

If your mouth wasn’t already watering from reading this food section, it will be once you taste GimMe’s irresistible snacks. With best-selling flavors like Teriyaki and Sea Salt and Avocado Oil, these crisp roasted seaweed bites are hard to put down. GimMe’s cofounder, Annie Chun, grew up in Korea eating seaweed harvested, dried, and roasted by her mom. Her idea to turn this traditional side dish into a healthy and portable snack for American palates resulted in GimMe, the first brand to offer USDA-certified, non-GMO verified organic seaweed snacks. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also sustainable. Grown off the coast of South Korea, GimMe’s products don’t require chemicals, land, or freshwater.

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Gifts

From Here to Sunday

Artist Diana Ho started From Here to Sunday to feature “small-batch goods from the heart.” She curates products that are made in limited quantities by talented creators with a range of specialties. And while, yes, the shop carries goods that make the perfect gift ideas for pretty much everyone on your list, it also sells delightful products for kids, your beauty routine, the home, your closet, your art collection, and more. In the end, we couldn’t imagine a better gift than the Cookie Subscription (which you can order for one year, six months, or three months). It’s a perfect birthday or holiday subscription box that keeps on giving—literally!

Para Sa’Yo

Filipina American sisters Michele and Anna-Marie Josue share the art of Filipino gift-giving through these unique and fun gift boxes. “Para Sa-Yo” means “for you” in Tagalog, and with the brand’s range of gifts, it’s one-stop shopping for everyone in your life. There are gifts for coping through the pandemic, food cravings, and various holidays, and they’re all hand-packed and wrapped in beautiful packaging. Send a Lavender Love set to welcome the spring or a colorful, Instagram-worthy Pretty in Pink set, filled with a bath bomb, soap, candle, gua sha tool, and decorative shell dish—perfect for a Mother’s Day gift!

Amy Zhang

For every occasion or just because, Denver-based illustrator Amy Zhang makes a wide range of clever, cute, and celebratory stationery. She specializes in wordplay and whimsical images that are fun to purchase and receive. You can send congratulations with this Toast of the Town card, or thank a friend for her nuggets of wisdom. Zhang also has a shop on Society6.

Aroha Oils

We love a family-owned business, and this Maryland-based company was cofounded by three siblings. Vivek, Manita, and Ankush Agarwal launched Aroha Oils in 2021 with an understanding that there are no quick fixes when it comes to the skin. Their mission: to provide long-term skin care. To achieve this, Aroha Oils uses principles of the ancient science of Ayurveda and ingredients grown in the Himalayas. Try the best-selling Rose Hydrating Face Toner for a refreshing skin treatment. On top of making your skin look good, the company pledges to do good too—it donates 10 percent of its profits to its partner communities in the Himalayas.

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Home goods

Material

Founded by friends Eunice Byun and David Nguyen in 2018, Material makes everything you need for a stylish and functional cooking experience. At the center of the company’s ethos is the way in which preparing and sharing food brings families and communities together. It designs its products to last, provide delight, and shine as showpieces in the kitchen. With products selling out right and left, it seems that whatever Material is doing is working. Unsure where to start? Try the best-selling, sustainably made, BPA-free reBoard cutting board in one of five joyful colors, or check out the Forever Peeler, a ho-hum kitchen gadget turned modern art. Also worth a look: the beautiful knife stand, which has a magnetic wooden body in a shade of your choice.

Ilha Candles

A little luxury goes a long way, as you’ll realize when you check out this candle brand. Founder Michelle Hsu makes her products with natural soy wax and toxin-free fragrance mixes, like Grapefruit Mint, Fig, and White Tea. Each candle is hand-poured as part of a small batch and shipped from New York City. In naming Ilha, Hsu wanted to connect with her Taiwanese heritage. “Ilha Formosa” (beautiful island) is how Portuguese sailors labeled the island of Taiwan on their maps in the 1500s. Try the Orange Blossom candle for a light sweetness to brighten your space. If you want your purchase to do further good, go with the Jasmine Green Tea candle—10 percent of net proceeds from its sale go to the community organization TaiwaneseAmerican.org.

The Sill

The Sill seeks to boost your quality of life through an abundance of houseplants. Founder Eliza Blank’s mother kept a connection to her home in the Philippines through gardening, so Blank was always surrounded by greenery. She created The Sill first as an online shop and then expanded into a community with workshops, a Plant Parent Club, and five brick-and-mortar locations. Browse the website to shop by level of difficulty. For true beginners (or those who lack a green thumb), there’s even the option of faux and preserved plants. For those ready for a little more responsibility, the best-selling Monstera Deliciosa in a beautiful ceramic planter is ready to go home to you.

Wing On Wo & Co.

The oldest shop in New York’s Chinatown, Wing On Wo is a cultural institution. One family passed the shop down for generations, but not without uncertainty. In 1964, the family wanted to sell, but granddaughter Nancy Seid stepped up to give it new life by turning its focus to porcelain. In 2016, the changing landscape of Chinatown made Seid and her partner consider selling again. This time, their granddaughter Mei Lum took on the responsibility of bringing the shop into its next incarnation. She started the W.O.W. Project, an extension of the shop that engages with the community for events and relationship building. The store’s porcelain collection still carries some of the best selections around, including this classic enamel tea set.

Aerangis

Alicia Tsai founded Aerangis, a scented candle company, to blend craftsmanship and high-quality ingredients with uncompromising sustainability. She works closely with world-renowned perfumers to craft fragrances that either recall precious memories or create new ones. The brand’s signature scents are inspired by Tsai’s most cherished memories, including a secret garden in Taiwan, a ranch and vineyard in upstate New York, and the spirit of New Orleans.

The Ahlgren Collage

Melissa Ahlgren is the artist behind the cheerful textile designs of the Ahlgren Collage. Among her many lovely products are the prettiest pillows and throw blankets you ever did see—who knew watermelon radishes could be so beautiful? We won’t fault you for falling in love with a print, then buying heaps of household products made with it: blankets, shower curtains, rugs, mugs, clocks, tote bags, and more.

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Kids

Made in Chinatown

Businesses in Chinatown suffered through the pandemic, in part because of anti-Asian racism, but some are coming up with innovative ways to help. Grassroots initiative Welcome to Chinatown is creating new revenue streams for small businesses through a project called Made in Chinatown. By pairing brick-and-mortar shops with designers donating their skills, they create branded merchandise customers can purchase online. You’ll find mugs, home goods, bags, and apparel. All proceeds go directly back to each shop or to a charity of their choosing, as in the case of this adorable Gordon & Li Li onesie. Eighty percent of proceeds from this product go to the Longevity Fund, which provides relief grants to small businesses.

Mimochai

Mimochai is a creative studio owned by artist Mimi Chao. The world she has created is inhabited by wondrous landscapes and magical characters, all in an art style you’ll want to lose yourself in. The online shop carries gift boxes, art prints, stickers, apparel, and more. Our favorite is the Let’s Go Explore book, successfully launched on Kickstarter in 2017. This picture book is perfect for adventurous little ones and art-loving adults. Mimochai donates at least 10 percent of its profits to community organizations that support access to art education. Speaking of books, check out these children’s books about diversity that all kids need to read.

Mochi Kids

Owner, designer, and mom of three Amanda Stewart has her hands full—especially since she screen-prints every product in her shop by hand. She also takes care to use materials sourced in the United States and follows environmentally friendly practices. Her designs are bright and joyful, and they often feature a favorite food or a smiling character’s face. You can find tops, bottoms, sleepwear, onesies, and even masks and face shields children will love. For kids ages 1 through 10, get a screen-printed number tee so they can wear their age proudly.

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Self-improvement

Steezy

If you’ve been feeling more sedentary than usual, Steezy has the cure: unlimited dance classes from home, for just $8.33 per month if you opt for the annual plan. The teachers are among the best in their styles of dance, but don’t let that scare you: What makes Steezy particularly great is its multi-view functionality, where you can watch your instructors from the front or the back. You can even view yourself alongside them. It’s also less intimidating than a live class because you can slow things down, repeat sections, and retake classes as often as you want. Feeling sociable? Use Party Mode to invite friends to learn with you and tackle this new hobby together!

Wong Fu Productions

Wong Fu Productions was making videos even before YouTube launched in 2005, and it quickly became one of the most popular channels on the platform. Cofounders Wesley Chan, Ted Fu, and Philip Wang are legends in the Asian American community for creating some of the first content that was representative of the Asian American experience. Today, they have close to 3.3 million YouTube subscribers, and their videos range from comedic sketches to a moving feature-length film. And now, for the first time, they’re drawing from their years of experience to teach a filmmaking workshop. If you’ve ever been interested in what it takes to make a short film, this online course is a perfect place to start.

Silk + Sonder

Working as a software engineer, Meha Agrawal was a high-achieving woman who was totally burned out. After navigating her own wellness journey, she founded Silk + Sonder to provide subscription-based self-care that is rooted in community. You can subscribe at a cadence that works for you, and by doing so, you’ll gain access to monthly wellness planners, a members-only network of support, guided exercises, and more. If you’re not sure about a subscription but are interested in trying out the planners, which incorporate psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and bullet journaling, you can also purchase or gift a self-care planner.

Next, read up on what Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is and how it’s celebrated.

Tria Wen
Tria is an arts and culture writer with a deep appreciation for literature and all forms of storytelling. She also covers Asian American issues and writes recipes for her favorite homecooked dishes.