Women-Owned Businesses in Charlotte

There’s no better time to celebrate the woman-led entrepreneurship that thrives in the Queen City. From crafting unique dining and sipping opportunities to creating innovative retail and service experiences, industrious women are shaping Charlotte’s economy and community. 

Eat & Drink

Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

Mother-and-daughter team, Shito Negussie and Yodite Tesafye, own Abugida Cafe. Together they have created an inviting and welcoming cafe serving Ethiopian fare that include tender chicken legs, spicy stews, fragrant lentil and split pea dishes, and the tangy sourdough bread injera. Abugida is also known for its amazing coffee and attentive service.

Archive CLT

Area: West Charlotte

Cheryse Terry birthed Archive CLT from a lifelong passion of collecting vintage magazines depicting Black lives, experiences, challenges and accomplishments. Terry’s vision was for Archive to be a vintage book and ephemera store in a historically Black location. That vision has expanded to create a community hub and coffee shop where everyone can feel welcome and safe.

The Artisan’s Palate

Neighborhood: NoDa

Owner Christa Csoka has worked to preserve the local art and history of NoDa in this restaurant, art gallery and gathering space. With an emphasis on fresh, local and organic ingredients, Csoka has made sure that each shared plate and custom drink delivers flavor and an experience reflective of the area.

The Batchmaker

Neighborhood: Wesley Heights

Cristina Rojas has loved baking cakes and preparing batches of cookies and brownies since she was a child growing up in Honduras. She began honing her baking skills after moving to Charlotte in the early 2000s, perfecting her cakes and popular Oatmeal Creme Pie cookies.

Enat Ethiopian

Neighborhood: Optimist Park, East Charlotte

With locations at Optimist Hall and East Charlotte, chef and owner Tina Tedla is making it her mission to introduce diners to Ethiopia’s rich culture and cuisine through Enat. Literally translating to “mother” in Amharic, one of the many languages spoken in Ethiopia, Enat pays homage to many of Tedla's mother's recipes.

Honeybear Bake Shop

Neighborhood: Lower South End

Hannah Neikirk has held the position of pastry chef at some of Charlotte’s most esteemed restaurants, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of opening her own bakeshop in 2020 and continues to provide the Queen City with some of the most unique and fun cookie flavors.

Lang Van

Area: East Charlotte

Dan Nguyen began at the beloved Vietnamese restaurant in 1999, working her way up from server to cook to full owner by 2009. Her emphasis on hospitality makes every customer feel like family. Nguyen helps select meals for individuals who need guidance and sends them home with cookies and cheers to come back soon.

Oh My Ganache

Neighborhood: Camp North End

Brittani Sheppard puts a spin on classic cheesecake from her store at Camp North End. Her pandemic-time hobby turned into a business when she opened Oh My Ganache in 2025. The sweet potato pie cheesecake is a popular choice, but many customers enjoy adding toppings like apple pie, bourbon caramel and more to vanilla cheesecake.

Orrman’s Cheese Shop

Neighborhood: Uptown

Founder Rachel Klebaur established Orrman’s as a full-service cheese shop, located at The Market at 7th Street, based on her values of care, attention, obsession, service and quality. Orrman’s supplies restaurants, breweries and wine shops all over Charlotte with locally and regionally sourced cheese and specialty products.

Pilot Brewing

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

Owner and head brewer, Rachael Hudson, has created award-winning beers working in small batches and using local ingredients whenever available. Pilot Brewing partners with local charities and strives to operate within ethical guidelines to create a family-friendly environment for employees and guests.

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery

Neighborhood: NoDa

First opened in 1999, Smelly Cat Coffeehouse grew in recognition under the influence of owner Jolly Dale, a community-minded businesswoman who knit together a loyal base of regulars. Cathy Tuman took the reins in 2006 and has continued Smelly Cat’s commitment to community and the pursuit of quality coffee for its loyal customers.

Shop

CLT Find

Neighborhood: Uptown, Dilworth

Toni South and Christy Pope have curated products from over 90 Charlotte-area artisans and vendors to create the perfect destination for customers looking for high-quality, locally made goods. CLT Find carries an assortment of unique souvenirs and gifts, jewelry, children's items, accessories, and beauty and wellness products.

Moxie Mercantile

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, Matthews

Michelle Castelloe brought her dream to life when she opened Moxie Mercantile in Plaza Midwood in 2015. Moxie Mercantile is a curated shopping experience featuring home decor, jewelry, vintage finds, and more that support both makers and the community. Castelloe also created the boutique, Betty, to focus on children’s clothing, adult apparel, toys and gifts.

Pura Vida Worldly Art

Neighborhood: NoDa

Teresa Hernandez opened Pura Vida in 2004 to create a venue for artisans in more than 40 countries to sell their wares. The store carries bright and colorful clothing, accessories, housewares and art, all handmade, fair trade and ethically sourced.

Southern Blossom Florist

Neighborhood: Dilworth

Giovy Buyers first became interested in flowers while working for a flower exporter in Ecuador. With a degree in business from American University and her perceptive and artistic eye for flower arrangement, Buyers was able to open Southern Blossom Florist in 2008. Buyers continues to support other women-owned businesses by carrying their products in her shop on East Boulevard.

Things to Do

AerialCLT

Neighborhood: Uptown

Amy Tynan Chirico is founder and head instructor of AerialCLT, teaching everyone from beginners to practiced pros how to fly on silks, trapeze and lyra. Classes are available every day in the Uptown fitness facility, with other events such as kids summer camps and student showcases that take place throughout the year.

Charlotte NC Tours 

Area: Citywide

Dianna Ward knows there was no better way to get to know Charlotte’s history and highlights than by foot, bike, van or Segway. This inspired her to open Charlotte NC Tours, a full-service tour company that also offers themed ghost and holiday lights tours.

Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

Neighborhood: Lower South End

Award-winning chef Alyssa Wilen opened the doors to her kitchen in 2013 to provide a comfortable place where guests can learn to cook and eat well. She has since expanded her kitchen to accommodate catering services and classes for individuals, couples, groups, parents and children, teens and culinary camps.

Issa Vibe Adventures

Area: Citywide

Lisa Colvin is co-founder and director of community relations for Issa Vibe Adventures, LLC, an outdoor adventure business whose mission is to reconnect Black people to nature. Colvin says that nature showed her a form of peace and clarity that helped to combat anxiety and depression, inspiring her to share this outlet with her community.

Khali Yoga Center

Neighborhood: NoDa

By opening Khali Yoga Center, Lindsey Crisp has shown it is possible to create a successful studio that provides full-time work, a living salary and paid time off for her and her team of teachers. Classes, including drop-in classes, are affordable and welcoming to students of all skill levels.

Lip ‘N Pour

Area: East Charlotte

Diamond Weems always had difficulty finding a lip color she thought suited her skin tone. Realizing there were many others who felt the same, Weems decided to create a custom-blend lip cosmetic studio. Lip ‘N Pour pairs quality ingredients with a fun instructional experience for individuals and groups.

Mood House

Neighborhood: Dilworth, Oakhurst

Cristina Wilson reimagined the traditional massage spa to create Mood House, a modern massage studio with a resort vibe. Clients choose one of four moods: calm, clear, abundant or awake, and the massage style, music and aromatherapy all work together for their chosen mood experience.

Article originally written by Rosa Sprinkle. Updates by Arielle Patterson in February 2026.