By Jordan Jantz
As we commemorate the 250th year of the American founding, what better way to celebrate than by buying from an American-owned and American-made business?
From blacksmithing to textiles, America has a rich history of craftsmanship and ingenuity. Here are just a few companies carrying on this legacy.
Adel Natural Cosmetics
Adel Natural Cosmetics was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kelly and Arlene when Arlene was struggling with her health. Seeking out natural remedies, she realized she needed to switch her cosmetics to cleaner options and decided to make her own.
Today, their family of five and their team craft makeup and skincare from the heart of Texas in handmade, small batches. Their ingredients are clean, transparent, and they have everything you need for a full face of makeup.
Homestead Brand Leather Goods
Joseph Roth and Nathan Kromer started Homestead Brand after working in the leather boot industry. They took their skills to launch a company that could put their families first and honor the American legacy of craftsmanship. They source leather from American tanneries, and in Deer Park, Washington, Joseph and Nathan handcraft their goods. From totes to wallets to belts for him and her, there’s something for everyone to upgrade to the American-made version.
Smithey Ironware Company
If you’re looking for classic Americana goods, look no further than Smithey Ironware. The company’s founder, Isaac Morton, started restoring old cookware in his woodshed, and after years of fostering his appreciation of old, well-crafted ironware, he decided to launch his own cookware line.
Cast iron can last more than a lifetime when treated properly, and Smithey makes pans you can put to the test for every kitchen task. They even make America’s Test Kitchen’s recommended cast-iron skillet. In fact, from the stove to the oven to a classic American camping trip, Smithy encourages you to use the pans as much as you can!
Bubble and Bee
Bubble and Bee’s soaps, lotions, and bath products are made in Bountiful, Utah. After the founder, Stephanie, was diagnosed with adenomyosis, she went on a journey to balance her hormones and regain her health. She cut out harmful chemicals and started making her own products, and when her friends and family loved her creations too, she launched Bubble and Bee.
On Bubble and Bee’s website, you can find certified organic shampoo, deodorant, shower gel, body butter, and more—all with ingredients you can pronounce. As a bonus, many of their products are packaged in glass containers you can save and repurpose.
Carly Jean Los Angeles
When mother-of-four Carly Jean couldn’t find anything in her closet that fit her properly, she knew there had to be other women like her frustrated by clothing options that weren’t cute or wearable. In 2015, she and her husband launched CJLA from their home with the mission to make clothes that work for women in every stage of life, from students to moms to grandmas and everyone in between.
True to that mission, their basics collection offers wardrobe staples in a range of colors made right in Los Angeles and made for and tested by women.
Red Land Cotton
Red Land Cotton makes cotton bedding, bath, and home essentials right here in the USA—all in charming and timeless designs. And not only are their products sewn domestically, but the cotton itself is also grown on the owners’ family farm in “the rich red land of North Alabama.”
Because the products are made in America and created from USA-grown cotton, they are subject to higher American factory and farming standards. The company advertises sustainable farming practices, too, with a desire to preserve their farmland for future generations of their family.
The Smarter Scrubber
Last but not least, this one is for any guys in your life! And what better way is there to celebrate the 250th Independence Day than with a USA-made grilling accessory?
Ordinary scrubbers can leave dangerous metal bristles on the grill grate that stick to food and can be accidentally ingested. This is exactly what makes the Smarter Scrubber “smarter”: it uses a chainmail construction to clean your grill without bristles. Its USA-origin story starts in Alabama, where one of the company’s founders, Destin from the YouTube channel SmarterEveryDay, set out to manufacture something in his own community. It proved much more challenging than he expected, and he’s documented the whole process, showing just how depleted American manufacturing has tragically become. In the same video, you can see the very craftsmen who are making this product and know exactly where your dollar is going.
And whether you’re buying the Smarter Scrubber or stocking your makeup bag, not only are you celebrating American entrepreneurship, but you are also supporting the Americans who make your purchase—and honoring the American spirit of innovation, quality, and craftsmanship.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jordan Jantz is a freelance writer, editor, and website designer as well as the assistant editor at IW Features. Her work has spanned the nonprofit, small business, and scholarly worlds, but most of all, she is passionate about uplifting the message of hope and freedom. Find her at jantzwriting.com.
