Since 2006, Brooklyn couple Rachel Rheingold and Michael Berick have grown Maptote from a tote-bag idea in their apartment into a women-owned small business known for giving places a distinctive, wearable identity. The company makes location-inspired goods for locals and visitors, with production carried out in its Brooklyn community using US-sourced cotton.
Woman-Owned Small Business
Compliance program
Made in USA
Compliance program
BembienFounded in 2017 by Yi-Mei Truxes, Bembien is a Greenpoint, Brooklyn accessories brand creating timeless handbags and lifestyle pieces by hand in small batches. Its rattan basket bags, handwoven leather designs and silk scarves connect modern silhouettes with artisan techniques passed down through generations; a single handbag can take up to 10 days to complete. Bembien works with local, women-led weaving communities around the world to help sustain craft heritage.
The Factory BuffaloFounded in Buffalo in 2019 by apparel designer Molly Hoeltke Worth, The Factory Buffalo turns clothing and sewn-product concepts into production-ready goods through design, product development and manufacturing management. The woman-owned business offers in-house small-batch cut-and-sew production while coordinating specialized domestic and international partners for larger runs. Its made-in-the-USA approach places particular emphasis on fair labor, sustainability and helping new brands navigate the details of launching a product.BUFFALO, NY
KibouBrooklyn moms Nell Shapiro and Stephanie Merks founded Kibou after meeting in a neighborhood baby music class and searching for a better way to carry life with a baby. Today, their cross-Atlantic company creates compact, hands-free bags for parents, including its original fanny-pack diaper bag with a detachable changing mat. Kibou also donates 1% of every sale to Hour Children, which supports mothers and children affected by incarceration.BROOKLYN, NY
Design & Source Productions, IncEstablished in 1996, Design & Source Productions creates bespoke branded merchandise and luxury packaging, guiding projects from design and sourcing through production and delivery. Women-owned and WBENC-certified, the New York-based company also operates an office in Guangzhou, China, with sustainability and ethical sourcing built into its work. Design & Source is a founding member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and helped design the How2Recycle label.29TH ST, NY