Summer is the time of year that we spend our time outside with our besties and families. It’s also a great time to buy your summer needs from small Latine-owned companies. Everything from bathing suits and sunscreen to drink mixes and reusable water bottles, so many small businesses are ready to give you your Latine summer needs. We also know that summer means time at the beach and at cookouts with those you love, so you might as well be prepared for the elements.
Sure, you can go to a major retailer with unlimited quantities of goods. But where is the personality? Where is the Latine art and culture coming through? By using your money to support small businesses run by Latine people and families, you are supporting the community and building community wealth.
And as the summer winds down, we have collected seven businesses that you should consider supporting for your outdoor needs. Check them out below and enjoy the rest of your hot Latine summer in style.
Coco and Breezy
Block the sun and the haters with a pair of sunglasses from Coco and Breezy. The lifestyle brand was created by Afro-Latine sisters Corianna and Brianna Dotson, who grew up inspired by the sounds of hip hop and salsa filling their home. The two designers grew up in Minnesota but stayed connected to their Caribbean roots through family. Their eyewear is a statement piece that will make you the hit at any summer gathering.
Valfré
Ilse Valfré is an artist that has created her own world with her own characters. But her art is more than something to look at hanging on the wall. The artist has used her art to create functional items that you can use anytime you want to make your life more vibrant and playful. From water bottles to beach blankets, Valfré has so many cute, mermaid-themed items that you can use to make your summer one filled with art.
Martha of Miami
Martha of Miami is bringing that Miami feel to all of her accessories. You can buy swimsuits that are all about body positivity and being unapologetically Cuban in Martha Valdes shop. And if you’re Cuban-bred and want the world to know, their signature bucket hat can also be paired with a swimsuit with the same saying because sometimes, more is more.
BANG! Miami
BANG! Miami is bringing that South Beach feel to your dresser with these fun and funky swimsuits. Dunierki “Duny” De La Cruz and Cristian Cravello joined forces to create a men’s swimsuit line that brings together their Latine heritage and entrepreneurial spirits. If you want to be noticed as you walk up and down the beach, BANG! Miami has you covered, kind of.
I Love Micheladas
A little bit of tomato juice, hot sauce, and beer can go a long way in making your summer cookouts the place to be. I Love Micheladas is the go-to michelada mix from L.A.-based Bricia Lopez and her siblings, which run the restaurant La Guelaguetza. The bottles come with a packet of chile y lima seasoning for you to rim your glasses and get the full michelada experience with purchasing one item.
Hija de tu Madre
This mercado bag from Patty Delgado’s Hija de tu Madre is a versatile piece of equipment meant to help you all summer long and beyond. The bag is perfect for collecting your favorite produce at the farmer’s market and can seamlessly transition into a lightweight beach bag. It’s perfect for carrying your towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and whatever beverage you expertly sneak onto the beach. After all, you don’t want to get dehydrated while tanning and swimming, do you?
Kleurë
The mineral-based skincare line from Kleurë Cosmetics is ready to serve your sunscreen needs this summer. Yanilka Maldonado’s company is focused on creating healthy alternatives for women who want better skincare products as they embrace their self-esteem, essence, and leadership. The skincare line is bringing sustainable and healthy alternatives to the mass produced skincare products that we have all been using for years.