“Oh well, I do nothing but shop all day. Your father says, amusingly, that it is a passion with me! It is no use explaining to him that I have no choice; he finds it hard to believe” (St. Zélie Martin).
In a world where we can buy just about anything with the click of a button, the decision of where to spend our money carries more weight than ever. For Catholic women in business, choosing to shop with Catholic-owned businesses is not just an act of consumerism—it’s a way to align our values with our purchases, support our community, and make a meaningful impact.
Supporting Shared Values
When you shop with Catholic-owned businesses, you’re supporting companies and individuals who share your faith and values. These businesses often operate with principles that resonate deeply with Catholic teachings, such as fairness, compassion, and integrity. For instance, many Catholic-owned businesses prioritize ethical sourcing, fair wages, purchasing materials from fellow Catholic-owned businesses, and charitable giving—values that all align with Catholic social teaching.
By choosing to shop with these businesses, you’re contributing to what my company refers to as Building the New Catholic Economy™. Your hard-earned dollars support practices and products that reflect our Catholic faith, rather than going to support unethical business practices and agendas pushed by so many larger corporations today. And, because Catholic business owners are more likely to turn to fellow Catholics for their business purchases, the positive effect grows with every transaction and continues in a ripple effect. This virtuous cycle not only sustains businesses but also enriches the broader Catholic ecosystem.
Strengthening the Catholic Community
Shopping with Catholic-owned businesses is a practical way to build and strengthen our faith community. Every purchase becomes a form of solidarity, fostering a network of support among Catholics. For female entrepreneurs, this network can be particularly empowering. Women in business often face unique challenges, such as limited access to funding or networks. By supporting each other, we create opportunities for growth and success within our community.
A 2019 study by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation found that faith-based businesses often outperform their secular counterparts in charitable contributions and community engagement, underscoring the positive impact they have on society.
A Witness to Faith in Action
Buying from Catholic-owned businesses is a quiet yet powerful witness to the faith. When others see Catholics prioritizing their values in everyday choices like where they shop, it sparks curiosity and admiration. It’s a way of living the Gospel through action—showing that faith is not confined to Sunday Mass but is integrated into every aspect of life, including how we spend our money.
This commitment can inspire others, both within and outside the Church, to think more deeply about their own values and consumer habits. It’s an opportunity to evangelize in a way that is subtle but impactful.
Ethical and High-Quality Products
Many Catholic-owned businesses prioritize quality and ethics because of their faith-driven mission. Whether it’s handcrafted rosaries, ethically produced coffee, or family-owned restaurants, these businesses often go above and beyond to ensure their products and services reflect their commitment to excellence. And, if they sell a product or service that is secular in nature, the way they operate and serve their clients is a form of evangelization for them.
For example, take the burgeoning market for Catholic artisans creating religious goods. By purchasing from these small businesses, you’re not only acquiring a meaningful product but also supporting a Catholic family. Studies from the American Craft Council suggest that consumers who buy from small, mission-driven businesses report higher satisfaction, knowing their purchase supports a meaningful cause.
Counteracting Secular Consumerism
In a culture dominated by secular consumerism, supporting Catholic-owned businesses is a countercultural way to push back against the relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of people and morality. Instead, you’re choosing businesses whose leaders see their work as a vocation and their customers as neighbors. Relationships aren’t transactions; they’re transformational.
This shift in mindset aligns with Pope Francis’s call in Laudato Si’ for an “ecological conversion”—rethinking our relationship with consumption and prioritizing stewardship of God’s creation. Catholic businesses often embody this ethos, offering products that are ethical and consider the bigger picture in their production and delivery methods.
Empowering Catholic Women in Business
For Catholic women in business, supporting one another is particularly meaningful. Women-owned businesses face unique challenges, including balancing professional aspirations with family life. By choosing to shop from fellow Catholic women, you’re not only affirming their efforts but also paving the way for future generations of women to step confidently into the business world.
Organizations like Catholic Women in Business provide inspiring examples of how women can lift each other up. Whether we’re wives, mothers, grandmothers, religious sisters, or even haven’t quite found our vocation yet, we have so much to offer one another. Resources shared within the Catholic Women in Business Facebook group, for example, include substantial economic and professional resources in the marketplace, mentorship, guidance, and referrals.
Practical Ways to Support Catholic-owned Businesses
If you’re ready to make buying from Catholic-owned businesses a priority, here are some practical steps to get started:
1. Seek Out Catholic-Owned Businesses
Look for directories or online platforms dedicated to faith-based businesses. A great place to start is the Catholic Owned™ app. It’s a user-friendly directory of businesses of all kinds, all across the U.S., and all owned by Catholics. The app makes it easier than ever to find companies in your area and across the country that share our Catholic values.
2. Spread the Word
Share your favorite Catholic businesses with friends, family, and on social media. Word-of-mouth referrals are powerful.
3. Leave Reviews
A positive review can go a long way in helping a business grow.
4. Prioritize Local
Whenever possible, support Catholic-owned businesses in your local community to strengthen ties and foster relationships.
5. Be Intentional
Make a conscious effort to align your purchases with your values, even if it means spending a little extra time researching or planning, and even if it costs a little more. Building the New Catholic Economy™ means we have to exchange money with one another, and I advocate for paying full price with our fellow Catholics.
Choosing to shop with Catholic-owned businesses is more than a financial decision; it’s a statement of faith, a way to live your values, and an investment in the future of the Catholic community. For Catholic women in business, it’s also an opportunity to create a legacy of support and empowerment.
As you consider where to direct your spending, remember the words of Pope St. John Paul II: “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ.” By supporting Catholic businesses, you’re opening doors—for yourself, for others, and for the Kingdom of God.
Slave of Jesus in Mary, Catholic wife, mother of four, and the Co-Founder & CEO of Catholic Owned, Brooke Joiner is originally from Colorado and spent the first four years of marriage in her husband’s native Italy. A convert to the Faith, her professional background is in business management, project management and strategic operations. Since founding Catholic Owned in 2023 in South Florida, the company has launched its App and grown beyond the local area to include hundreds of listed businesses across the country and thousands of App Users.