Milk Handmade

What Milk Handmade does

Milk Handmade is a Chicago-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce marketplace that curates and retails handmade, ethically produced goods from independent designers. The legal entity operates as Milk Handmade LLC, with a storefront at milkhandmade.com built on the Shopify platform and a supporting physical retail showroom at 5137 N. Clark Street in Chicago that also functions as an in-store pickup point. The company sits within the conscious-consumer / ethical-fashion subsegment, serving shoppers seeking sustainably produced, handcrafted alternatives to mass-market apparel and lifestyle goods.

The catalog spans approximately 294 SKUs across three primary merchandising buckets: Clothing (tops, bottoms, and dresses), Accessories (jewelry, hair clips & claws, leather goods, and scarves), and Apothecary & Home (candles, bath & beauty, home items), with price points ranging from $3 (incense matches) to $228 (Black Shearling Bum Bag). Inventory is sourced from roughly 15–18 designer-partners, with a meaningful concentration of Chicago-based makers (Sophia Reyes, Michelle Starbuck, Soap Distillery, Squasht, Bare Hands) supplemented by independent designers from California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, Oregon, Portugal, and Colombia. Notable brand partners include Jenny Lemons (hair accessories), Bobo Choses, Jungmaven, Larissa Loden, Made In Jewelry, Formulary 55, Botanica, Sixxta, Primecut, Peter and June, Rach B, and Alight Incense, plus a Milk Private Label line.

Revenue is generated through one-time unit sales of physical goods at individually fixed prices, with free shipping offered on orders above $100 and multi-currency checkout supporting 200+ countries. Marketing channels are predominantly organic: a 10%-off email newsletter signup, SEO-optimized Shopify collection pages, and organic social presence featuring user-generated content. There is no indication of paid acquisition spend, third-party marketplace distribution (e.g., Amazon, Faire), or wholesale relationships. The technology stack is effectively limited to the Shopify SaaS storefront, with no proprietary technology, no mobile app, and no public API.

Name

Milk Handmade

Legal name

Milk Handmade

Website

https://milkhandmade.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Milk Handmade is a Chicago-based DTC e-commerce marketplace on Shopify that curates and sells ethically produced handmade clothing, accessories, and apothecary goods from independent designers to conscious consumers, with a supporting physical retail showroom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: One-time unit sales of physical goods (clothing, accessories, jewelry, apothecary, home goods) through the company's Shopify-powered online storefront. Customers pay per item at checkout; no subscription or recurring component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Milk Handmade is a curated multi-brand retailer that sells handmade, ethically and sustainably produced clothing, jewelry, hair accessories, leather goods, candles, soaps, and home items sourced from independent designers. Customers shop a catalog of approximately 294 products online via the company's own Shopify storefront, with optional in-store pickup from a Chicago showroom.

Product overview

Milk Handmade is an e-commerce marketplace offering ethically and sustainably made goods from independent designers. The platform features a curated portfolio of products across three main categories: Clothing (including tops, bottoms, dresses, and sweaters), Accessories (jewelry, hair clips & claws, leather goods, scarves & hats), and Apothecary & Home (candles, bath & beauty products, and home decor). The store carries products from multiple independent designer brands including Jenny Lemons (hair accessories), Michelle Starbuck (jewelry), Peter and June (jewelry), Sophia Reyes (clothing), Squasht (clothing), Alight Incense (fragrances), Soap Distillery (soaps and candles), and Bare Hands (manicure products). Products are made in various locations including Chicago, Philadelphia, California, and internationally. The company positions itself as a destination for unique, artisan-made items with an emphasis on sustainability and independent designers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jenny LemonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduct designer of hair clips and accessories. Designs in California; products ethically made in China. Features prominently in product line with items like Swiss Cheese Hair Claw, shrimp-themed clips, baguette clips, and sardine clips. Cellulose acetate (biodegradable) used as eco-friendly material.
• Sophia ReyescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based independent designer/maker producing Luzon Pants, Boucle Knit Blazer, and other garments exclusively for Milk Handmade. Products manufactured in Chicago, IL, USA.
• Michelle StarbuckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based jewelry designer producing brass, semi-precious stone, and pearl jewelry for Milk Handmade. Products include Tiny Brass Shapes Necklace, composition earrings with moonstone, pearl, angelite, and Balance Earrings collection.
• Rach BcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based jewelry maker producing threader earrings, enamel chain earrings, and amazonite fringe earrings for Milk Handmade.
• Peter and JuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA-based jewelry designer producing Arch Studs, Bar Studs, and Alma Ring for Milk Handmade. Products use 18k gold plate, stainless steel; waterproof and nickel/lead free. Materials ethically sourced.
• Alight IncenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhiladelphia-based maker of handcrafted incense sticks and perfume rollers made with 100% pure essential oils and botanicals. Each scent tied to social cause donations (animal rights, domestic violence survivors, criminal justice reform, LGBTQIA+ rights, BIPOC communities, climate change, immigrants' rights).
• Soap DistilleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based maker producing Beer + Cigarettes Candle, Boozy Soap Bars, and other scented candles and soaps. All products phthalate, nitro musk, artificial detergent, silicone, preservative, and palm oil free.
• SquashtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based maker producing Alina Dress and Squasht-branded bottoms (wide leg pants, shorts, skirts). Garments made with love in Chicago using rayon/spandex blends.
• Bobo ChosesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortugal-based fashion brand producing Almost Moiré All Over Mom Fit Jeans (100% organic cotton, responsibly made in Portugal) for Milk Handmade.
• JungmavenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles-based sustainable apparel maker producing Black Hemp Bralette for Milk Handmade. Hemp blend intimates made with love in California.
• PrimecutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortland, OR-based maker producing Black Shearling Bum Bag for Milk Handmade. Shearling exterior with linen interior; adjustable strap converts between shoulder and waist bag.
• Larissa LodenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinnesota-based jewelry designer producing Barn Quilt Studs (24k gold-plated enamel) for Milk Handmade.
• Made In JewelryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn-based maker producing Brass 2 Claw Ring and Brass 5 Claw Ring. Rings cast from iguana claws found in Atitlan, Guatemala.
• Formulary 55minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkincare and apothecary maker producing Shea Butter Soap (Palo Santo & Oud) and Shea Butter Hand and Body Creme (Sea Salt & Lavender) sold through Milk Handmade.
• BotanicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA-based designer of Bubble Incense Holders (handblown glass, designed in USA, ethically made in China) sold through Milk Handmade.
• SixxtaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia-based maker producing Asymmetrical Scalloped Top (100% cotton) for Milk Handmade.
• Bare HandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaker of Bare Hands Cuticle Oil and Dry Gloss Manicure Kit sold through Milk Handmade. Products feature botanical oils (jojoba, grape seed, castor, sea buckthorn) with Citrine essential oil scent.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform hosting Milk Handmade's online storefront. Provides payment processing, inventory management, and checkout infrastructure. Store is hosted on Shopify Inc. servers.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/milkchicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/MilkHandmade
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/milk-handmade-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Milk Handmade