This March, Bridgeport Village is shining a spotlight on the female visionaries behind many of the property’s thriving shops and restaurants. Female-founded brands make up more than 20 percent of the shops and restaurants featured at the beloved fashion and lifestyle center.

Whether acting as solo entrepreneurs or in partner collaborations, these female founders used their vision, values and talent to create bold, new concepts. Here’s a highlight:

MiaDonna

Anna-Mieke Anderson

Bridgeport Village recently welcomed trailblazing entrepreneur Anderson’s MiaDonna showroom. The New Zealand native, Portland resident and philanthropist is globally recognized as the pioneer of the lab-grown diamond industry and funds nonprofit Greener Diamond Foundation.

Pastini

Kara Hale

As a native Portlander and founder of regional restaurant chain Pastini, Hale has deep roots in Oregon, where she’s raised three children and built a career anchored in community and hospitality. In 2001, she co-founded Pastini with Craig and Susie Bashell. Over the years, the welcoming neighborhood pasta spot has expanded to eight locations, and recently the company was named among the largest in Oregon owned by women.

Alyson Eastman

Alyson Eastman

As one of the property’s newer retailers, this women's luxury lifestyle brand was founded in 2016 in New York City. With a true focus on sustainability, Washington native Eastman's mission is anchored in making luxury garments from ethically sourced materials like vintage denim, food-source leather, and deadstock fabrics.

Salt & Straw

Kim Malek

A well-known name around these parts, Malek has created a thriving sweets business that aims to connect folks to delicious ice cream flavors – “crafted with unthinkable care” — as well as the community around them. With seven locations in Oregon alone, the Bridgeport Village scoop shop opens this spring.

Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher

The founder of this Certified B Corporation design company, known for offering simple, timeless clothes, has long been ahead of the curve. As a sustainability pioneer, Fisher created the company’s first Social Consciousness role 25 years ago, and their circular manufacturing model began in 2009 with the launch of an eco-friendly, “Renew” take-back program. Currently, their clothes are sold online and in stores globally, including at 50-plus shops in North America, including an inviting space in Bridgeport Village.

Evereve

Megan Tamte

Since Tamte partnered with her husband to launch their first women’s clothing company in 2024, the team has opened more than 100 stores across 30 states. While they’ve always aimed “to move women forward in their fashion and in their lives,” as is evidenced by events like fashion fundraisers, they’ve also consistently stuck to what they call “a commitment to creating real relationships rooted in humility, empathy, authenticity and tenacity.” Tamte encourages budding entrepreneurs to stay curious, keep moving forward, and lead with their heart.

Le’D Bug Boutique

Brittani Morton and Judy McElevey

This family-owned boutique known for organic, heirloom, children’s clothing was dreamt up and is currently run by Morton and her mother-in-law McElevey. They promise to bring the best in quality for all the little ones in your life, with beautiful baby and children's clothing made to last. The company specializes in ethical, slow fashion that’s good for the planet, and the duo also makes a point of giving back to local charities.

No matter who you support this month, don’t forget to pay visits to these female powerhouses’ inspiring businesses all year-long.

*To view a complete list of all the passionate female founders, and to learn more about this month’s fundraising efforts to benefit Dress for Success, click here.