On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, there’s a growing movement that asks you to do something simple but powerful: use your holiday shopping to support women in leadership. It’s called Women-Led Wednesday, and it’s all about being intentional with the dollars you were going to spend anyway—just directing them toward women-led brands. Women Led Wednesday
As a Minnesota mom, designer, and founder of Soak iT Up, this day hits close to home. I know firsthand how much work, heart, and late-night problem-solving goes into keeping a small, women-led business alive—especially one that’s trying to make the world a little greener along the way.
Why Women-Led Wednesday Matters
When you shop women-led, you’re not just buying a product. You’re:
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Backing founders who often receive far less funding, yet keep showing up anyway.
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Supporting teams that tend to reinvest in their communities, families, and future generations.
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Voting for a more balanced, equitable economy with your cart—not just your words.
It can feel overwhelming to “change the world,” but changing where you shop? That’s doable. And when thousands of us do it on the same day, it adds up.
A Little About My Women-Led, Tree-Hugger-Fueled Brand
I started Soak iT Up because I hate waste but love a good greeting. Traditional cards get admired for about 20 seconds… then tossed. Paper towels? Used once, then tossed in the trash often in plastic bags.
So I created Clards—greetings that turn into reusable cleaning cloths.
You read that right:
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You send a greeting.
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They read it, smile, maybe shed a happy tear.
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Then they rinse it and start wiping up spills for months.
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When it’s worn, it can be composted.
Each Clard can replace up to 3 thousand paper towels over its life, turning one nice gesture (sending a card) into a quietly powerful climate action.
On top of Clards, I design bright, FUNctional Swedish dishcloths, plastic-free Sheet Happens laundry detergent, and other low-waste essentials that add cheer to chores instead of more clutter to cupboards.
And yes, Soak iT Up is proudly woman-owned and women-led in Minnesota.
How to Celebrate Women-Led Wednesday (Without Adding to the Holiday Stress)
You don’t have to overhaul your life to participate. Try one or two of these:
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Swap one gift you’d normally grab from a big-box brand for something from a women-led business.
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Browse the Women-Led Wednesday directory or your local makers’ market and pick a new-to-you women-led brand to try. Women Led Wednesday
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Leave a review for a woman-owned business you already love—words matter as much as dollars.
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Share on social when you shop women-led. Your post might be the reason someone discovers their new favorite brand.
And of course…
Shop Women-Led at Soak iT Up
If you’re looking for eco-friendly gifts that people actually use (and don’t feel guilty about), soakitup.shop is my happy little corner of the internet.
Some ideas for Women-Led Wednesday and the whole holiday season:
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Clards – The most unique eco-friendly greeting you can send. A card + two reusable cleaning cloths in one.
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Swedish sponge cloths – Bright, joyful, super-absorbent, and reusable.
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Sheet Happens – Plastic-free laundry detergent sheets with a cheeky wink and zero heavy jugs.
They’re practical, planet-friendlier, and still full of fun—perfect for teachers, hosts, neighbors, college kids, and that “impossible to shop for” person who already has everything.
Thank You for Shopping Thoughtfully
Women-Led Wednesday is one day, but the impact can last all year. When you choose women-led, you’re:
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Helping small businesses stay open.
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Encouraging the next generation of girls watching us.
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Proving that doing good and giving great gifts can absolutely go together.
From my women-led, eco-joy-filled shop to you:
Thank you for using your cart as a force for good.
Now go treat yourself (and your gift closet) to something that cleans up nicely.