Virtual Northwest Made Holiday Market Highlights BIPOC and Women-Owned Small Businesses

November 16, 2020

Annual market provides opportunity for minority-owned small businesses to boost sales during the holiday season

PORTLAND, OR - Mercy Corps Northwest will host its 7th annual Northwest Made Holiday Market entirely online this year from November 15th to December 30th. The market will include more than 60 businesses owned by women or Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) from across Oregon, selling products ranging from homemade hot sauce and kombucha to skincare, stationery and jewelry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately caused women and BIPOC small business owners to close their doors, especially Black-owned businesses. The number of active Black-owned businesses nationwide dropped by 41% from February to April 2020 and Latinx-owned businesses dropped by 32%, compared to a 22% overall decline in active businesses nationwide. 

The Northwest Made Holiday Market offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to boost sales during the most crucial time of year to stay afloat. Holiday shopping during November and December can make up to 40% of annual sales for a small business, and this year, nearly seven out of 10 small business owners view the holiday season as a top sales opportunity.

“After an unparalleled and stressful year for small businesses, specifically for women and BIPOC entrepreneurs, we are counting on our Oregon community to come out and shop small this holiday season,” says Bobbie Stewart, Oregon Women’s Business Center manager at Mercy Corps Northwest. 

 Over 60 Oregon companies will participate in the market, including:

  • Honeybee Lemonade, a Black and woman-owned business producing all-natural artisan syrups.
  • Brooksong Design, a woman-owned Italian leather bag and accessories business that donates 10% of profits to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
  • Indigenous Come Up, an indigenous and woman-owned business selling homemade art, crafts and jewelry.
  • PORTLAND x ROSÉ, a Black and woman-owned lifestyle brand empowering women to take time for self-care through clothings and stationary. 
  • Najmah Naturals, a Black and woman-owned business selling natural bath, body and personal care products.
     

The Northwest Made Holiday Market is hosted by Mercy Corps Northwest’s Oregon Women’s Business Center (WBC), which offers affordable business education to small businesses in Oregon. In light of the pandemic, the WBC offers free online webinars to support entrepreneurs as they adapt and respond to COVID-19.