Spend Your Money Like a Rebel

Supporting Women-Owned Businesses in the Era of Corporate Oppression

Look, we all know what’s happening. Every morning, you wake up, check the news, and wonder if today is the day they finally outlaw thinking. The government is gleefully steamrolling over rights, and corporate America is holding the door open, waving them in, and offering a complimentary beverage. Meanwhile, the big-box retailers are cashing in on the chaos, funneling their profits into politicians who think "women's rights" are a charming, outdated concept—like rotary phones or lead paint.

If you think shopping is just about convenience, let me introduce you to capitalism’s oldest and dirtiest trick: they want you exhausted. They want you overworked, overwhelmed, and too damn tired to think about where your money is going. That’s why the aisles at MegaCorpMart are designed to hypnotize you into a zombie-like trance where you forget that the CEO spent last quarter lobbying against your reproductive rights.

So, let’s snap out of it, shall we?

Where You Spend Your Money is a Political Act

You know what’s not actively funding oppression? That small coffee shop run by a woman who pays fair wages, supports community programs, and doesn’t use her profits to bankroll misogynistic lawmakers. That local bookstore owned by a woman who actually reads books and isn’t trying to replace your entire community with an Amazon warehouse. That independent clothing brand run by someone who believes "women’s fashion" should be about self-expression and not the male gaze.

Every time you choose a woman-owned business, you are voting with your wallet. And unlike certain elections, this vote actually counts.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

If you’re wondering whether your personal choices make a difference, let me make it easy for you: they do. The economic power of women is massive—women drive up to 80% of consumer purchasing decisions. That means you have the ability to shift power with every dollar you spend. Here’s why that matters now more than ever:

1. Big-Box Stores Don’t Care About You – They care about profits. They care about control. And they care about making sure you’re too busy bargain-hunting to notice they just donated another few million to anti-choice lawmakers.

2. Women-Owned Businesses are on the Frontlines – While corporations are out here pretending a pink aisle in February is feminism, women entrepreneurs are actually out here doing the work—creating jobs, funding community programs, and making sure their employees don’t have to choose between groceries and rent.

3. You Deserve Better – Your money is valuable. Stop handing it over to companies that would set women’s rights on fire if they thought it would boost quarterly earnings.

How to Actually Do This Without Losing Your Mind

I get it. Convenience is a hell of a drug. But shifting your spending habits doesn’t have to mean turning your life upside down. Here’s how you can start making better choices today:

• Ditch the Corporate Monoliths: Look up women-owned alternatives. I promise they exist, and I’ve even made it easier by including links (see below).

• Follow the Money: Check where a company’s political donations are going. If they’re funding people who think women belong barefoot in the kitchen, maybe don’t buy your bread from them.

• Support Women-Led Innovation: There are thousands of women in tech, fashion, food, publishing, and more who are creating incredible products without exploiting workers or endorsing fascists. See list below.

• Talk About It: The best way to kill a bad business is to starve it of customers. Tell your friends. Tell your coworkers. Tell that one annoying guy at work who keeps talking about "both sides."

Where to Start: Women-Owned Businesses You Should Be Supporting

If you’re ready to shift your spending but don’t know where to begin, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a curated list of incredible women-owned businesses that deserve your dollars way more than any soulless mega-corporation. Whether you’re looking for coffee, clothing, books, or beauty products, these businesses are proving that ethical, independent, and women-led companies can thrive—especially with a little support from people like you.

• Women Owned - This platform offers a comprehensive database of women-owned businesses, allowing you to search by category. It is an initiative from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and WEConnect International, providing certification and resources for women entrepreneurs.

• We Are Women Owned Small Business Directory - This curated directory features socially and environmentally conscious businesses with at least one female-identifying founder or owner. It includes both product and service-based businesses.

• Woman-Owned Map by Wanderful - This interactive map helps you find and support woman-owned businesses worldwide, particularly useful for travelers looking to shop, eat, or stay at woman-owned establishments.

• WomenVenture Client Directory - While more localized, this directory lists professional services and products offered by WomenVenture clients, primarily in the Minneapolis area.

• Even More Women Owned Businesses - 300+ Women Owned Brands, 15 Growing Female Owned Brands to Get Behind in 2025 (And Always), Amazon Alternatives

Final Thought: It’s Not That Hard to Do the Right Thing

You’re already spending money. You’re already buying coffee, books, clothes, skincare, groceries. Why not make sure that money is going somewhere that actually supports your values instead of padding the accounts of billionaires who see women as a liability?

If you want to learn more about economic boycotts and actions, check out our online version of Codex:Heretica.