Where to Support Independent, Black-Owned Businesses in OC Community
Whether your goal is to become a more conscious consumer in general or you are trying to be more active in supporting the BIPOC community in Orange County, you can make a positive impact by patronizing local, Black-owned businesses. Below, we’ve listed eight of our favorite independent businesses in OC that are owned and operated by Black families and entrepreneurs.
Aside from shopping for beautiful items and eating delicious food, another way of supporting the BIPOC community in Orange County is through charitable action. If you’d like to make a donation through an organization, we recommend the April Parker Foundation, which offers initiatives for community support, health equity and economic development in LA and OC.
Poppy & Seed
Located in the Anaheim Packing District, Poppy & Seed is a gorgeous and sophisticated restaurant run by husband and wife duo, Chef Michael and Kwini Reed. With over 16 years of experience under his belt, award-winning Chef Michael showcases his classical training through the menu’s undeniable creativity and innovation. Poppy & Seed has been featured in the Michelin Guide, and if you’ve had the pleasure of dining here, it’s easy to see why. Every plate, from ingredients to presentation, is absolutely stunning, and the ambiance and cocktail program only add to the food’s upscale flair.
Location: Anaheim
Laguna Candles
Founded in 2003 by Sharie Hendricks, Laguna Candles is a family business that was born from Hendricks’ desire to create a clean-burning candle for her home. Today, Laguna Candles is a thriving business selling hand-poured candles made from a proprietary, phthalate-free blend of coconut soy wax and unbleached cotton wicks that stays true to its eco-friendly ethos from production to shipping. Aside from its beautiful candles and accessories, Laguna Candles also offers white-label services as well as candle-making workshops (the perfect friend date!).
Location: Laguna Hills
Bred Hot Chicken
Located in Costa Mesa’s The LAB Anti-Mall and coming soon to San Juan Capistrano, Bred Hot Chicken has swiftly captured the hearts and taste buds of spice lovers throughout Orange County. Founded by husband and wife team Bred and Laura Scott, Bred Hot Chicken has become a booming hub for anyone with a craving for delicious fried chicken, mac and cheese, waffles, sandwiches and more. According to the couple, Bred is a spice aficionado who brings the heat in the kitchen and Laura is the flavor enthusiast who brings the heart—together, they’ve created a menu that has something for everyone.
Location: Costa Mesa, San Juan Capistrano (coming soon)
Morika’s Southern Delights
Norma Stewart grew up watching her grandmother, Mamma Ruth, bake the most delicious sweet potato pies, peach cobblers and pound cakes that “made you want to wiggle your toes.” Upon Mamma Ruth’s passing, Stewart took up the tradition and tried her hand at making sweet potato pies for Thanksgiving. After, the orders started piling in, and Stewart transformed her passion into a business, which she named after her daughter. Morika’s Southern Delights is available for delivery across Orange County and those with a sweet tooth will love being a part of the Dessert of the Month Club.
Location: Irvine
Dream Art Fullerton
Led by Head Coach and second-degree black belt Jaysen Baxter, Dream Art Fullerton is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy with a mission to teach anyone interested in learning the martial art—whether you’re looking for a new hobby to help you get active or you dream of competing in elite championships. Baxter and his team pride themselves on creating a safe learning environment for all their students, regardless of age, gender or belt ranking. Aside from jiu-jitsu classes, Dream Art Fullerton also offers wrestling classes, competition training and strength and conditioning.
Location: Fullerton
La Casa Azul Design
After losing everything in the 2008 recession, Juaneice Munoz and her husband moved to Arizona for a fresh start, where she retrained as an interior designer. By 2011, Munoz started La Casa Azul Design, and by 2015, she and her husband returned to Southern California—finding success as a principal designer in Orange County’s competitive market. La Casa Azul Design offers full-service design, space planning and procurement and architectural plan consulting, all with a focus on creating a timeless and luxurious space that is precisely tailored to every client’s unique tastes and needs.
Location: Laguna Beach
Flawless Weddings and Events
If you’re searching for a full-service wedding or event planning company, look no further than Flawless Weddings and Events, a team that can make dreams come true all over the US. Flawless Weddings and Events was started by award-winning wedding planner Tracy Bowles and floral designer Falynn Thompson, and in 2012, the team expanded with the addition of Denise Cullins, completing their dynamic mother-daughter-cousin trio. Success must run in the family: Flawless Weddings and Events has been recognized in the California Wedding Day Best of 2022 and 2023.
Location: Brea
The Girl Cave LA
Born and raised in Inglewood, Lia Dias is a mother of three and serial entrepreneur behind The Girl Cave LA, a luxury beauty supply store with locations in South LA, Anaheim and Dallas. Growing up, Dias would frequent local beauty supply shops but noticed a lack of representation in the retail beauty world. Inspired by her late mother and her own desire to create change in the retail beauty space, Dias started her business with $30K and a lot of passion. Today, that passion has blossomed into five franchise locations and the purchase of the long-standing Hype Hair Magazine.
Location: Anaheim
Continue reading for a longer list of Black-owned businesses to support in Orange County.
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
