Women-Owned Businesses in Downtown San Luis Obispo

Last updated March 7, 2025

In celebration of Women’s History Month, check out a handful of the many businesses in downtown San Luis Obispo that are owned and operated by women!

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Making SLO

April Reeves is a multi-passionate business owner dedicated to connecting the San Luis Obispo community with locally-made goods through her retail store downtown. Her makers-space passionately supports over 70 small businesses (primarily led by women) by providing resources to help them thrive while promoting a self-sustaining local economy and celebrating the diversity of local creatives.

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B. Anthony & Company Jewelers

Raised on the beautiful Central Coast, Briana Daugherty has been a fine jewelry designer for approximately 25 years. She attended the Gemological Institute of America where she furthered her inspiration and knowledge of jewelry making.

As the new business owner of B. Anthony & Company, Briana continues the tradition of the boutique custom jewelry store. She loves the process, the unexpected details, the history of an heirloom piece and ultimately turning the dreams of her clients into reality.

Whether it’s designing an engagement ring, or giving an heirloom piece a fresh new design, Briana puts her love and energy into every piece of jewelry. Briana’s true passion comes from making dreams come true — one piece of jewelry at a time.

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Gaia’s Gallery

Christine Branco’s deep connection to crystals is rooted in her Brazilian heritage. Her profound love for healing stones, combined with her compassionate and intuitive abilities, has allowed her to support countless individuals on their journeys. By staying heart-centered and true to herself, she has created a space that can serve as a beacon of light in uncertain times. Christine purchased Unique Selections in 2017 and moved the business to 750 Higuera Street in 2021, where she expanded and rebranded to Gaia’s Gallery.

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Picking Daisies

After raising their families here in San Luis Obispo, sisters and Cal Poly graduates Kay Porczak and Dede Bruington, in 2008, opened Picking Daisies, a small quilt and fabric store that is known for their locally-made cotton napkins. The business started as a small home craft business which grew in popularity, resulting in the opening of their shop in the Creamery Marketplace. Stop by their shop to see displays of their wonderful quilts, bags, and clothing creations.

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Summerland Co.

Summerland Co., a clothing and lifestyle boutique on Morro Street, is owned by Kelly Yates and her daughter Casey. Kelly has a background in art and design, with experience as a merchandiser, window designer, and manager. After moving to San Luis Obispo 12 years ago when her oldest daughter was attending Cal Poly, Kelly and her husband fell in love with the town. Kelly worked at Hands Gallery for several years, but when a vacancy opened on Morro Street, she jumped at the chance to have her own boutique!

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Mareh Couture

Mariam Ohanyan is the designer, owner, and stylist at Mareh Couture. In addition to designing custom bridal attire, she personally styles brides to help them curate the perfect look. Beyond her work in fashion, Mariam is deeply involved in the wedding industry and the San Luis Obispo community, striving to bring fresh ideas to the Central Coast bridal scene. She has owned Mareh Couture for over two years.

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Blackwater

Maryalice Hamilton, the matriarch of Blackwater, has been a fixture in downtown San Luis Obispo for over 20 years. With a green thumb and a creative passion, she carefully curates and maintains the shop’s ever-changing plant selection, handcrafting each terrarium and ensuring every plant thrives. She currently operates Blackwater with her daughter, Erica.

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Central Coast Wines

Originally from Ukraine, Miya Luce spent over a decade managing luxury hotels and restaurants in New York City and Los Angeles. Now in San Luis Obispo, she focuses on curating unique selections from sustainable and family-run vineyards at one of the long-standing staples of downtown San Luis Obispo, Central Coast Wines. The wine shop is located on Higuera Street and also offers tastings!

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Linnaea’s

Rusty Quirk has owned Linnaea’s Cafe for two years, but this downtown coffee shop has been a women-owned business for the past 41 years! Rusty is a Cal Poly alumni, a Michelin-star pastry chef, and a passionate business owner, determined to build a space that benefits the lives of the team as well as the community, all while bringing joy and whimsy to downtown San Luis Obispo.

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Corazon Cafe

Sara McGrath is co-owner of Corazon Cafe and coordinate the shop’s art shows, community collaborations, and social media. Sara is also an artist, social worker, and advocate for folks with disabilities. Her favorite drink at Corazon Cafe is the “tascalatte” — a traditional Mexican drink made from ground corn, cocoa, cinnamon, achiote, and sugar.

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Hands Gallery

Sara Vaskov is the owner of Hands Gallery, a beloved boutique in downtown San Luis Obispo known for its handmade gifts, jewelry, and home decor. Sara grew up in San Luis Obispo, left in 1989, and was fortunate enough to move back in 2002 where she became a manager at the shop. Sara purchased the business in 2016 and now runs the shop with her daughter, Bailey.

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The Center

An entrepreneur with a passion for community and wellness, Steph Stackhouse has blended her professional acumen and personal interests into a thriving business over the past 10 years. As a co-owner of The Center, the largest yoga studio on the Central Coast, Steph’s journey began with a clear vision to integrate her corporate expertise in market research and strategic planning with her dedication to holistic well-being. As a small business owner, she is involved in all facets of operations — from financial management to staff recruitment and program development.

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Fawn Luxe Esthetics

Fawn is a local esthetician based in downtown SLO and the owner of Fawn Luxe Esthetics, a full-service speed waxing salon specializing in brow and Brazilian waxing. With 12 years of experience, Fawn's passion for helping people feel like their best selves is what motivates her to provide a comfortable, quality experience for her clients.

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Club Bubbly

Tracy Bogue started Club Bubbly in 2016 as a way to offer a diverse selection of bubbly wines and champagnes available for delivery straight to your door! In 2022, she opened the tasting room in The Creamery — a perfect stop for a date or to buy gifts!

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