We exist to amplify women’s labor, leadership, and contributions across San Francisco.
At a time when news about our city is dominated by negative narratives or overshadowed by AI, Ladysmith aims to be a counterweight, part love letter, part documentation, and part statement. Through storytelling, in-person gatherings, and community partnerships, Ladysmith spotlights women’s stories and work, creating visibility, connection, and opportunity.
Women of SF: Studios and Storefronts is a storytelling and portrait series spotlighting 12 female founders building businesses and communities across our city. Shot in their own environments and told in their own voices, from kitchens and studios to workshops and storefronts, the series highlights the essential role women-led businesses play in the civic fabric and identity of San Francisco.
Profiles are released weekly across Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack, with the goal of building visibility and momentum around each story. We are currently pursuing funding to bring the series into the physical world through a public photography exhibition. These installations are an intentional act of showing up for the city, bringing energy, foot traffic, and attention back to spaces that need it, supporting women and contributing to the revitalization of San Francisco.
Featured Stories
GOLD LEAF INK
“What I love most is watching people leave the shop differently than they walked in. Shoulders back, sleeves rolled up. When they first look in the mirror, you can feel their energy change and confidence grow. That's the most meaningful thing about tattooing for me.”
CASE FOR MAKING
“I was born and raised in San Francisco and never wanted to live anywhere else. The Outer Sunset has shaped our store. People have asked if I’d open somewhere else, but I’ve always felt like this only exists in San Francisco.”
BRYR STUDIO
“One of the things I wrote in my original business plan is: when you come to San Francisco, you come to Bryr. The women here have shaped everything we make. They’re women who value craft and design, women who are creative, intellectual, and comfortable with themselves. Bryr isn’t just based here; San Francisco is part of Bryr’s DNA.”
Ladysmith centers women and those who identify as female, including non-binary and LGBTQ+ individuals who experience gender-based marginalization.
We continue the conversation on Substack, LinkedIn, and Instagram, connecting a growing network of women who create, collaborate, and champion one another’s work and lives.
