Local City Guides
Women-Owned Businesses in Phoenix to Support in 2026
Updated July 26, 2026 7 min readLocal Guide

Phoenix rewards people who look past the strip malls and freeways. Downtown, the Roosevelt Row arts district (locals call it RoRo) mixes galleries, murals, and small storefronts, while a short hop south puts you in the college-town buzz of Tempe. Across both, women-owned businesses are doing some of the most interesting work in the Valley, from clay studios to coffee roasters to neighborhood bookstores.
This guide is a starting point, not a ranking. It gathers a set of women-owned spots worth a visit in 2026, grouped so you can plan a morning of errands or a full day of wandering. Every business below links to its profile so you can check hours, location, and details before you go.
Quick answer
- Grab a cup and settle in at Cafetal Coffee, a women-owned coffee spot.
- Get hands-on with clay or a craft class at PIP Crafts + Clay.
- Browse shelves and events at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe.
- Book a treatment at Beauty and Body by Olivia.
- Roll out your mat at Arizona Yoga Co..
- Pick up small-batch pantry goods from Laura's Gourmet Granola.
- Sit down for a plate of Ethiopian food at Cafe Lalibela.
- Find more women-owned spots across the Valley in our Phoenix directory.
Why this matters in 2026
Women-owned businesses anchor a lot of what makes Phoenix and Tempe feel like more than a grid of subdivisions. They tend to be the coffee shops where people actually talk, the studios that host a first pottery class, the shops that stock local makers instead of national chains. When you spend at them, more of that money stays in the neighborhood and helps the next storefront on the block stay open.
Supporting these businesses does not require a big gesture. A regular coffee order, a class you actually show up for, a review that describes what you liked, and a recommendation to a friend all add up over a year. This guide is meant to make that easy by pointing you toward real places, grouped by what you might be in the mood for.
Beauty and self-care
Phoenix has a deep bench of women-owned beauty and body-care spots. Beauty and Body by Olivia is a good starting point for skin and body treatments in a personal, one-on-one setting. For something more artful, Henna Shoppe focuses on henna and body art, a nice option before a wedding, festival, or just because. And Soap Des Jour Boutique leans into small-batch soaps and bath goods that make easy, low-cost gifts.
Makerspaces and creative
If you like to make things, or want to start, the creative scene here is welcoming. PIP Crafts + Clay is built around clay and hands-on craft, the kind of place that turns a rainy afternoon into a keepsake. FABRIC sits in the creative-media world and is worth a look if you are drawn to design, sewing, and the maker community that gives Roosevelt Row its energy.
Fitness and wellness
Movement studios in Phoenix and Tempe range from calm to high-intensity, and these are all women-owned. Arizona Yoga Co. offers a steady, mat-based practice for beginners and regulars alike. If you want more push, CrossFit Tempe brings the coached, community-driven workout that thrives in a college town. And Function Pilates rounds things out with a focus on core strength and controlled, low-impact training.
Food and coffee
Coffee is where a lot of Valley days begin, and women-owned shops lead the way. Cafetal Coffee is a welcoming spot to slow down over a cup, while Aruma Cafe is an easy pick for a casual bite or a mid-day break. For a proper sit-down meal, Cafe Lalibela serves Ethiopian food that has long been a favorite in Tempe, ideal for sharing a platter with friends.
Shop
When you want to browse rather than dine, a few women-owned shops stand out. Artdillo Eclectic is a fun, browse-worthy stop for finds you did not know you wanted. Busan Mart brings a specialty grocery experience worth exploring for pantry staples and hard-to-find ingredients. And in Tempe, Changing Hands Bookstore is a beloved independent bookstore with a full calendar of author events.
Local makers
Some of the best gifts in Phoenix come from small-batch makers you can support directly. Brite Candle Co. hand-pours candles that make a simple, welcome present. Laura's Gourmet Granola turns out small-batch granola that travels well and beats anything off a big-box shelf. Both are easy ways to keep your spending close to home.
By-category quick reference
| Category | Businesses | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty and self-care | Beauty and Body by Olivia, Henna Shoppe, Soap Des Jour Boutique | Treatments, body art, and gift-worthy bath goods |
| Makerspaces and creative | PIP Crafts + Clay, FABRIC | Classes, clay, and the RoRo maker scene |
| Fitness and wellness | Arizona Yoga Co., CrossFit Tempe, Function Pilates | Yoga, coached workouts, and Pilates |
| Food and coffee | Cafetal Coffee, Aruma Cafe, Cafe Lalibela | Coffee, casual bites, and a sit-down meal |
| Shop | Artdillo Eclectic, Busan Mart, Changing Hands Bookstore | Browsing, groceries, and books plus events |
| Local makers | Brite Candle Co., Laura's Gourmet Granola | Small-batch candles and pantry gifts |
How to make your visit count
The most useful thing you can do is become a regular somewhere. Picking one or two of these spots and showing up often does more than a single big splurge, because steady customers are what keep a small storefront on Roosevelt Row or a Tempe side street open through a slow season. A standing coffee order, a recurring class, or a monthly gift purchase all send that signal.
After you visit, take two minutes to leave a specific review that names what you liked, whether it was the pour at Cafetal Coffee or a class at PIP Crafts + Clay. Then tell a friend and tag the business when you post. Word of mouth still moves people in the Valley, and a clear recommendation is worth more than a generic five stars.
Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Only visiting once during a big sale or event | Become a regular at one or two spots you genuinely like |
| Leaving a bare star rating with no words | Write a short review naming a specific dish, class, or product |
| Assuming everything downtown is walkable in summer | Plan around the heat, park central, and hop between nearby stops |
| Skipping the small makers for national chains | Buy candles, granola, and gifts from local makers first |
| Showing up without checking hours | Open each business profile to confirm hours before you go |
FAQ
Where should I start if I only have one morning?
Anchor around Roosevelt Row downtown. Start with coffee at Cafetal Coffee, wander the murals and shops, then poke into Artdillo Eclectic for a browse before it gets hot.
Are there women-owned options in Tempe specifically?
Yes. Changing Hands Bookstore and Cafe Lalibela are longtime Tempe favorites, and CrossFit Tempe fits the town's college-fueled energy.
What are good women-owned gifts to bring back?
Small-batch makers are your friend here. Hand-poured candles from Brite Candle Co., soaps from Soap Des Jour Boutique, and granola from Laura's Gourmet Granola all travel well.
Where can I take a class or make something myself?
Try PIP Crafts + Clay for clay and craft, or book henna body art at Henna Shoppe. Both are hands-on and beginner-friendly.
I want to move, not just eat and shop. What is here?
There is a full range of women-owned studios. Arizona Yoga Co. covers yoga, Function Pilates focuses on Pilates, and CrossFit Tempe delivers coached, high-intensity workouts.
Where can I find specialty groceries or ingredients?
Busan Mart is a specialty grocery worth exploring for pantry staples and ingredients you may not find at a big chain.
How do I find even more women-owned businesses in Phoenix?
Browse the Phoenix listings in the directory and filter for women-owned. It is the fastest way to turn this short guide into a full list for your own neighborhood.
Sources
- Business names, slugs, and categories were supplied by the Inclusivity.org editorial team for the Phoenix and Tempe metro.
- Ownership is tagged women-owned per Inclusivity.org listing data; confirm each profile before publishing and update any tags flagged as publicly listed rather than owner-confirmed.
- Local context (Roosevelt Row arts district, Tempe college-town setting) is general background and not tied to any single business claim.
- No awards, rankings, or specific factual claims about individual businesses were invented; descriptions stay grounded in each listing's category.
- Verify all /business/ slug links resolve on Inclusivity.org before moving status from Draft.
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