Navigate to category:Books | Candles | Clothing | Grooming | Hair | Soaps | Various Merchandise | Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy. According to the Small Business Administration, they represent 99.9 percent of U.S. business firms and employ about half of all private sector employees. Opening a small business, however, is no small undertaking. It takes a high degree of risk tolerance, as well as an ability to balance the passion a business owner has in providing a product or service with the realities of commerce—marketing, logistics, supply chain management, payroll, financing, budgeting, taxes, customer service, legal arrangements, and more. Those who persevere, however, are part of the foundation of global capitalism. Here's a look at just at a few Bison who are open for business with products ready for sale. Please visit often for our growing listing of Bison-owned companies. Howard Magazine is proud to help you find incredible books by Bison authors. Please continue to check back for updated and growing listings. Books are listed by genre and then in alphabetical order by book title. This directory is not comprehensive and this is not a commercial site. Publications are featured for editorial purposes and descriptions rely heavily on promotional copy, including verbatim verbiage. Inclusion in this directory does not imply endorsement by Howard University. |
This article does not represent an endorsement of businesses or products by Howard University. Content presented is for descriptive purposes only and relies heavily on information purported by the company. "The Bison Store" is an editorial compilation and is not a commercial enterprise. Likewise, the associated "The Bison Store" graphic is used for the editorial and promotional purposes of this article only. Howard assumes no liability for purchases or agreements made with the featured companies and individuals.
New featured companies for Summer/ Fall 2025:
ERA (Clothing)
PATCHED VISION (Clothing)
PLAT!NUM PARK (Clothing)
TOP TIER THREADS (Clothing)
UNCNFRMITY (Clothing)
SOAPS, SUDS, AND MORE (Clothing)
BOOKS
For books by Howard University alumni, faculty, students, and staff, please visit the Bison Bookshelf.
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The Bison Bookshelf
Publications by the lineage of Howard University alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
Ivey + Allen Lifestyle Luxe Candles
Company/Brand: Ivey + Allen Lifestyle Luxe Candles
iveyandallen.com
Founded by a candle-loving Bison couple in 2020, Ivey +Allen candles embrace their motto of “social, self-care and vibes” through a series of scents such as Deuces (mango + coconut milk), Inkwell (sunflower + sandalwood), and About Last Night (sheer vanilla + orchid). Candle themes are designed to be fun and to transport you to a unique experience in your private space. They work with the best vendors who stand by their high-quality ingredients and products. From ethically sourced wood for wicks, to eco-friendly and sustainable coconut soy wax blend and fragrance oils, Ivey+Allen strives to create a quality product, curated to bring a unique experience to your senses. The Dallas-based brand offers an exclusive 10% Howard discount when using the code “HU1867.”
ERA | tuttopassa.site | @explanationruinsart.ny
ERA
Company/Brand: ERA
Bison Entrepreneur: Maison Smith
tuttopassa.site | @explanationruinsart.ny
Explanation Ruins Art (ERA) is a clothing brand founded in 2024 by Howard University freshman honors business management major Maison Smith. Since launch, ERA has sold out every drop, including the Denzel Black Tee and Denzel Hoodie. Our current bestseller, the ‘It’s Obama’ grey zip-up hoodie, is available now. ERA will be having its newest and largest line for Homecoming. Please stay tuned.
High Roller Club | highrollerclubhrc.shop
High Roller Club
Company/ Brand: High Roller Club
Bison Entrepreneur: Mory Diakite
highrollerclubhrc.shop
High Roller Club stands as a vanguard of style and inspiration, driven by an unwavering commitment to the never ending elevation of the determined youth. Their mission is to inspire and empower the next generation to fully express their creativity and individuality with no regards for other's opinions. Co-founded by Howard architecture student Mory Diakite and his partner Timothy Amankwah, the company specializes in trendy streetwear including t-shirts, sweatpants, and shorts.
Notorious Lifetstyle | notorious-lifestyle.com
Notorious Lifetstyle
Company/Brand: Notorious Lifetstyle
Bison Entrepreneur: Jawuan Freeman
notorious-lifestyle.com
“Be you until you can't” is the tagline of the Notorious Lifestyle brand. The collection of body suits, zip up shirts, and distressed pants and hoodies is inspired by the themes of prosperity, originality, and faith. The company is run by CEO Jawuan Freeman, a business student at Howard, who believes that everyone can find their purpose through being themselves.
Patched Visions| patchedvisions.com | @patchedvisions
Patched Visions
Company/Brand: Patched Visions
Bison Entrepreneur: Tyrone McDuffie
patchedvisions.com | @patchedvisions
Patched Visions transforms denim into wearable art, fusing hand stitched crochet with eye catching patterns. Each piece is one of one. Designed with the intent of elevating your closet.
PLAT!NUM PARK| platinumparkclothing.com | @platinumparkclothing
PLAT!NUM PARK
Company/Brand: PLAT!NUM PARK
Bison Entrepreneur: Audrè Dabney
platinumparkclothing.com | @platinumparkclothing
PLAT!NUM PARK is a clothing brand that has a goal to inspire others to live a life beyond what they can imagine and “Stop living like their coming back.” Creative Director, Audrè Dabney, strives to bring awareness to the importance of living life to the fullest and taking advantage of the beauty of life while it lasts.
Stoonic | stoonic.com
Stoonic
Company/Brand: Stoonic
Bison Entrepreneur: Jasmine Knight (A.S. ’16)
stoonic.com
Stoonic is a luxury active wear brand that merges health and fashion to inspire women with a moving lifestyle to connect with who they are in order to push their limits. Stoonic means to be active and in style through comfort and motivation, and the company's collections for you are meant to project your style, edge, and energy in the gym or on the street. Founder Jasmine Knight (A.S. ’16) blends “two driving forces of women in the world: health and fashion.”
“I've cultivated each collection with love, care, and of course a commitment to quality. When I created Stoonic, I wanted to bring women together through style and movement,” Knight wrote on Stoonic’s blog.
Their latest additions form-fitting flare leggings, boxy long sleeve bras, and flow sport cropped jackets and leggings come in soft colors such as lavender, nude brown, and baby pink. Bison shoppers can use the “HU20” code at checkout to receive a 20% discount on their order.
Top Tier Threads | ttoptierthreads.bigcartel.com | @top.tierthreads
Top Tier Threads
Company/Brand: Top Tier Threads
Bison Entrepreneur: Kierstyn Price
ttoptierthreads.bigcartel.com
@top.tierthreads
Kierstyn Price has always had love for the arts. She started crocheting March of ‘22 and found a love for creating clothing items and flowers. Each item handcrafted by Top Tier Threads is devoted to making customers feel comfortable and special.
Uncnfrmity | uncnfrmity.com | @uncnfrmity
Uncnfrmity
Company/Brand: Uncnfrmity
Bison Entrepreneur: Miles Jones
uncnfrmity.com | @uncnfrmity
We design for individuals who live with intention. Those who challenge expectations, move with purpose, and don’t water themselves down to fit into rooms they’ve outgrown. Every piece we create reflects a mindset: authenticity over approval, substance over noise. This isn’t fast fashion. It’s identity, expressed through simplicity, message, and presence. We stand for authenticity over approval, purpose over status, and impact over hype.
So Organic, So Suave (SOSS) | sossd.co
So Organic, So Suave (SOSS)
Bison Entrepreneur: Vernon G. Yancy (B.S. ’16)
Company/Brand: So Organic, So Suave (SOSS)
sossd.co
Co-founded by Vernon G. Yancy (B.S. ’16), SOSS specializes in grooming products for Black men. The company's comprehensive product suite of top-quality, all-natural beard care, hair care, and skincare essentials make grooming an enjoyable experience. SOSS’s ingredients are organic, natural, raw, and sourced locally. Products are designed to affirm each customer in the expression of their authentic self.
Like many, Yancy battled with self-acceptance at one time, leading him to start a business centered in self-commitment through grooming and hygienic products based on ingredients he used when he couldn't find the right product to care for his full, textured beard. He and co-founder Jeremiah Regis look to become community leaders for young Black boys to learn about hygiene early through their books like I Am King! Bison customers can receive 15% off of their purchase using the code “HUBISON.”
Shadae Renee Beauty | shadaerenee.com
Shadae Renee Beauty
Company/Brand: Shadae Renee Beauty
Bison Entrepreneur: Shadae Renee Green (BBA ’13)
shadaerenee.com
How do you energize your inner “it girl?” That is the sole mission of Shadae Renee Beauty, a brand that offers wigs for both beauty and hair loss needs. “We believe that versatility is key, and our wigs are designed to be easily styled and customized to suit each person's desired look,” the company says. It also offers a medical wig that emphasizes the “cranial prosthesis” for those dealing with hair loss-related conditions such as alopecia, chemotherapy, and trichotillomania. The vision began in the Harriet Tubman Quadrangle when founder Shadae Renee Green
(B.B.A. ’13) began doing her dorm and classmates’ hair. Howard online shoppers can use the code “FAITH” to receive 10% off any online orders.
Platinum Hair | platinumhairextensions.shop
Platinum Hair
Company/ Brand: Platinum Hair
Bison Entrepreneur: Blessing Lockwood
platinumhairextensions.shop
Started by Blessing Lockwood, a health sciences major, Platinum Hair offers a variety of beauty care products. The company specializes in extensions and hair care products, including bundles, closures, frontals, lace wigs, hair mousse, edge control, lashes, heat protectant spray, crimps, hot combs, lace glue, wax sticks, and flat irons.
Soaps, Suds & More | soapssudsandmore.com
Soaps, Suds & More
Company/Brand: Soaps, Suds & More
Bison Entrepreneur: Sydney Sauls
soapssudsandmore.com
Soaps, Suds & More is dedicated to producing all-natural, affordable soaps for all skin-care needs. Our soaps are made from goat’s milk and vegan products like shea butter and aloe vera. Our soaps also feature additives and essential oils, each with their own properties to address a variety of skin care needs like oily skin, rough skin, as well as hands and feet. The key goal of our business is to provide luxury skin care at an affordable price.
Black Five/Fifths | blackfivefifths.com
Black Five/Fifths
Company/Brand: Black Five/Fifths
blackfivefifths.com
The Black Five/Fifths brand features products that blend fashion, Black culture, and social justice. Items for sale include t-shirts, hats, mugs, pillows, bags and other merchandise emblazoned with thematic phrases like, “Black, Brown, and Anybody Down,” “My Only Opp is White Supremacy,” and “Stokely and All of Us.” The company's name repudiates the original Constitutional declaration that Blacks in America were only three-fifths of a human being.
Article ID: 2301
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