Our favorite Black-owned businesses at TFS

A few months ago, we began making lots of changes to That Flower Shop to further align the way the business runs with the values that are important to us as both florists and individuals. We care about environmentalism, human rights, equality and intersectionality as much as all the facets of our jobs and this industry, but we had been all too aware that many of these important conversations and changes just aren’t happening within floristry as much as they should be.

As a micro business, sometimes it can feel daunting to embark on these kinds of efforts. After all, how big a change can just a couple of people arranging flowers make? But I think these individual choices and a growth in education, awareness and (most importantly) real action on an individual level begin to lead real, lasting change. 

Not only did we address the sustainability and ethicality of our flower and homeware supply chains over lockdown, we made a concerted effort to ensure that, in a team too small to expand or diversify further, we were tackling our own anti-racism education and action on an individual level as well as prioritising space in TFS to support Black-owned businesses, Black creatives and makers, and the Black Pound. 

With October being Black History Month, I wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing Black-owned brands and products we stock here at That Flower Shop:

LIHA

A natural beauty brand with a range of beautiful, multi-use products. Combining African tradition and London attitude to create butters, oils and candles that we love. Having purchased and used some of these myself, I was so excited to become stockists of theirs at TFS. We’re suckers for chic packaging here and everything from Liha looks, smells and feels both cool and luxurious. 

Favourite? I love the IDAN Oil in my hair, it helps with styling and keeps it soft but also smells so good that it basically doubles as a perfume too.

MAYA NJIE

Maya hand mixes and pours beautiful, artisanal unisex perfumes in small batches here in London. Inspired by her Swedish and West African roots and family nostalgia, all of Maya’s scents are almost warm and familiar and come with times, places and sounds in mind. I especially love that each purchase is refillable too – so hold onto your bottle when you’re done.

Favourite? TOBAK. Much earthier and woodier than my long-time go-to scent, I like this when I want something different. I love wearing more masculine scents sometimes but am always put off by too much of a cologne-y punch. TOBAK is warm, leathery, musky and delish.

CREMATE

Junior’s incense from Cremate brings all the ritual and nostalgia of lighting your favourite old Nag Champas but has upped the ante with beautiful, thoughtful and sustainable packaging as well as two incredible unique scents that will blow out your old sticks for good. All hand-made and hand-dipped in England, all tins are also refillable. I never don’t have these at home anymore.

Favourite? Mary Mother of God. Apparently made with the more advanced incense-r in mind, this scent isn’t like any other I’ve had at home before. Frankincense is paired with more unusual lemongrass and lavender and is both fresh and familiar at the same time.

I encourage all of you to check them out as well as looking even further too! It’s important we diversify all aspects of our education and day-to-day consumption and spending to support Black businesses, creators and makers. Not just during Black History Month but every day of the year.

What are your favourite Black-owned brands and why?

Take care,
Keia
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