New Roots, Green Goals: The Rise of Sustainable Immigrant-Owned Small Businesses
Due to the current administration, immigration policies have changed drastically. We are facing extreme enforcement of immigration laws and border security. For a country that was created and founded by immigrants (with no disrespect to the Native Americans, who, in my humble opinion, are the only people who have the right to complain about the immigrants), there has been a lot of discussion on how immigrants affect communities and the nation. There is a serious lack of appreciation for immigrants' significant contributions to our country and the economy. Jejune Magazine would love to take this time to celebrate eco-friendly immigrant-owned businesses, by highlighting small businesses owned by immigrants, and showcasing why they are essential to our economy and communities.
Congo Clothing Company
Who They Are: Congo Clothing Company is a modern clothing company dedicated to making timeless and durable pieces that are ethically produced and sourced. Transparency is a principle that is woven throughout the brand; fabric is sourced locally within the Latin American region, reducing their carbon footprint. They also consider how raw materials are sourced by having spec sheets from all of their suppliers. All clothes are produced in Colombia, and most of the manufacturers are women-led. These facilities are also audited regularly to ensure fair labor practices are in place. All packaging is also eco-friendly, such as recycled paper goods, boxes, compostable poly mailers, and lightweight and right-sizing packaging to minimize waste. CCC Bridges the gap between African and Western culture, drawing inspiration from textiles that women were known for weaving and showcasing geometric motifs in the 17th-century Kuba Kingdom of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Founder: Milain Fayulu, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, started Congo Clothing Company to help women, who are the most vulnerable to sexual violence in Congo.
Price Range: $$
Fun Fact: 10% of sales go to sewing workshops for survivors of sexual violence. The workshops provide women with a safe place to create and learn to have a substantial income.
Maria Callisto
Who They Are: Maria Callisto is a bespoke lingerie and loungewear brand that offers inclusive, handmade, high-quality lingerie for everyday wear or special occasions, specializing in bridal. Each product is handmade in the studio using upcycled or sustainably sourced materials. Maria Callisto rescues pre-loved items like wedding dresses that would otherwise be heading to the landfill, making each piece unique to the purchaser.
Founder: Maria Igwebuike, a refugee from Nigeria, found her passion for fashion and design at a young age and was inspired by nature and emotions. Iqwebuike supports and employs individuals, especially women from disadvantaged or refugee backgrounds, giving them an entry point into the fashion industry. The hope is to provide these women with a stable income so they can integrate further into society while supporting their families. Other than employment, she hopes to provide their target group with skills such as pattern cutting to help them outside of Maria Callisto.
Price Range: $$
Fun Fact: Each piece is made of deadstock or fabric remnants, giving the fabric a new life.
Kinn Studio
Who Are They: Kinn Studio Jewelry sells pieces made of recycled 14k gold and ethically sourced gemstones. It helps consumers desire timeless pieces over trendy ones. Kinn Studio’s mission is to create family heirlooms that can be passed down through generations, keeping memories alive.
Founder: Jennie Yoon, an immigrant from Korea, started Kinn Studio after her parents’ house was robbed and most of their jewelry stolen. Yoon couldn’t find pieces similar to them on the market, so she learned about the world of custom jewelry, which later inspired her own company.
Price Range: $$$
Fun Fact: Kinn Studio ensures that every piece of jewelry manufactured is done responsibly. All materials are sourced ethically, and each diamond and gemstone adheres to the Kimberley Process, which helps regulate the trade of diamonds. Kinn Studio also collaborates with local family-owned manufacturers.
UVida
Who Are They: UVida only offers plastic-free products, giving those who no longer want to use single-use plastic products the opportunity to do so. Various products are offered at an affordable price, making zero waste more accessible to the public. These products include shampoo and conditioner bars, bar dish soap, bamboo toothbrushes, laundry detergent sheets, bamboo straws, succulent candles, zero-waste makeup, and even a clothing swap.
Founder: Born in Colombia, Maria Vasco moved to Boston at the age of four and has lived there ever since. She studied environmental studies at UMass Boston, where she found her passion for finding alternative practices to help the environment. She has remained dedicated to zero waste ever since.
Price Range: $
Fun Fact: Boston’s first and only zero waste store!
OCOA Beauty
Who Are They: OCOA Beauty brings ease, beauty, joy, and freedom back into your hair care routine. Helping women find their confidence and authenticity is at the brand's heart. All products are made of high-end, clean, vegan ingredients from their homeland of the Dominican Republic.
Founders: Sisters Cory Varona-Corneil and Nicol Varona-Cancelmo are immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Growing up, they never loved their curls and spent most of their teenage years straightening their hair. The sisters' mission is to make you love your hair and to have the right products to do that.
Price Range: $
Fun Fact: Customers can take a curl quiz to know what products they need for their specific curl pattern.
Cut+Clarity
Who Are They: Cut+Clarity creates pieces that are good for the environment and are made of recycled solid gold and ethically sourced stones. Cut+Clarity allows you to design and personalize your pieces of jewelry.
Founder: Mariana Russo Chambers, an immigrant from Buenos Aires, Argentina, founded Cut+Clarity. After seeing her parents' hard work ethic and dedication to improving her family's lives, she was inspired to do the same one day.
Price Range: $$$
Fun Fact: Cut+Clarity gives any and all groups a platform to share their journey and embrace their identities by driving meaningful and impactful conversations within the company and amplifying overlooked communities. C+C has a strong connection with marginalized communities, helping exemplify the business practices they value within their company. C+C values altering the perception of immigrants by showing that they’re not so different from you.
CALPAK
Who Are They: CALPAK creates products that take you places. The company aims to inspire people to love packing and to be passionate about getting to their destinations. The products at CALPAK are made of recycled polyester.
Founder: Edward and Judy Kwon are immigrants from South Korea. Both believed that if you had the proper tools, the journey would bring so much joy. This belief aided the couple in starting CALPAK.
Price Range: $$
Fun Fact: The Kwon’s children now work for the company.
Ceremonia
Who Are They: Ceremonia is a clean, vegan, and cruelty-free hair care brand rooted in Latinx heritage. Key ingredients in each product are sourced from Latin America, and full, transparent ingredient lists are included. Every decision made in creating each product is guided by a commitment to creating a brand for the future that cares about people and the environment.
Founder: Babba Rivera, a Latin American immigrant, started Ceremonia to celebrate the richness of Latin culture. Rivera felt a strong responsibility to propel change after seeing how little Latin culture is represented.
Price Range: $
Fun Fact: Ceremonia formulations contain less than 1% of fragrance.
BYCHARI
Who Are They: BYCHARI offers high-quality investment pieces in various styles, including essentials, everyday jewelry, luxury fine jewelry, and signature custom pieces. The created pieces can’t be found anywhere else and are handmade sustainably. BYCHARI is committed to ethical sourcing and local production to minimize environmental impact.
Founder: Chari Cuthbert is an immigrant from Jamaica and a self-taught jewelry designer. She created BYCHARI as a way for women to share and build their stories. The company reflects how Cuthbert lives: appreciating simplicity but demanding luxury.
Price Range: $$$
Fun Fact: Michelle Obama and Kate Hudson both wear BYCHARI jewelry.
Kids of Immigrants
Who Are They: Kids of Immigrants is a modern clothing company that bridges diverse cultures and experiences. Its clothing spreads the message to support your friends and do your best with what you have. They also take a more DIY, repurposed approach to clothing, making it more sustainable compared to traditional fast fashion.
Founders: Friends cut from different fabrics but bound together by shared experiences, Weleh Dennis, Liberian-American, and Daniel Buezo, Honduran-American, founded Kids of Immigrants. As the name suggests, both are children of immigrants.
Price Range: $$
Fun Fact: The Netflix show On My Block showcased their Clothing.
In the hands of immigrant entrepreneurs, sustainability becomes not just a practice but a shared vision for a better tomorrow that crosses borders and builds lasting change.
