International Women's Day 2026: Women-owned Business Spotlight
This Sunday, March 8, is International Women’s Day! Started in the early 20th century, International Women's Day is dedicated to celebrating women's achievements, promoting education, and advocating for equality. This week we're celebrating some of the incredible women who shape Santa Barbara's business community. Keep reading to learn more about these incredible women-owned brands, businesses, and organizations.
rabbit: Founded by Jill Norman and Monica DeVreese, rabbit designs premium and sustainable running apparel for all runners at every skill level. Rooted in California culture, rabbit is now one of the largest independent running speciality apparel brands in the world. You can find them online or in stores, including REI and Santa Barbara Running.
SB Gift Baskets: Founder Ann Pazier has been providing high quality gift baskets and deliveries to the Santa Barbara community for nearly 20 years. SB Gift baskets offers beautiful gourmet baskets featuring local food, snacks, wine, handcrafted beer and more- ready for pick-up at their Goleta storefront or for local and nationwide delivery.
Jake & Jones: This Downtown Santa Barbara based boutique was founded by Jen in 2017, offering a mix of modern womenswear and menswear from designers around the world. Jake & Jones curated selection features beautifully designed and diverse pieces, with creativity and community at the forefront of their brand identity.
The Pad Climbing: The Pad is a full scale climbing gym committed to building community through movement. Ceo and founder Kristin Horowitz first began The Pad climbing in Sn Luis Obispo in 2002, and has since expanded with facilities in Las Vegas, Binghampton (NY), and most recently in Santa Barbara. You can find them in the Magnolia Center.
She.Is.Beautiful: The annual She.Is.Beautiful 5k and 10k are vibrant women’s-only runs celebrating strength, resilience, and self-love. Melissa Leigh McConville started She.Is.Beautiful over a decade ago in Santa Cruz, CA , where it has since expanded to Santa Barbara as well. The event is dedicated to supporting women both on and off the race course, with donations going to nonprofits that support women and girls.
Costera Interiors: Founders Sophie and Cara brought their shared loved of Santa Barbara and appreciation of beautiful spaces together to create Costera, a local full-service staging and design studio. Blending contemporary and classic influences with California coastal ease, Costera curates spaces that feel natural and beautifully lived in.
Renew Room: From laser tattoo removal to hormone optimization, Renew Room is a local regenerative aesthetics and wellness studio that provides several specialized treatments and a safe space for clients to feel renewed, happy, and healthy. Kamren, Cayley, and Carly make up the incredible team behind Renew Room, and are dedicated to helping their clients with their wellness goals.
Kaarem: Caring deeply about craft, construction, and quality, Kathy Minh Bach and Trang Nguyen founded the Kaarem brand to provide artisanal clothing designs and produces inspired by their Vietnamese roots. Based out of New York, Santa Barbara, and Sài Gòn, you can shop Kaarem online or book a shopping appointment with them.
