The Outer Banks are chock full of locally owned businesses — many owned and operated by women. These women and their businesses are a vital part of the area’s unique history and culture. Whether you’re commemorating Women’s History Month or supporting women-owned businesses in the area, be sure to check out these iconic spots during your next visit. 

 

Women-Owned Restaurants & Businesses

ashleys espresso
 
Ashley’s Espresso Parlour
From caffeinated concoctions and baked goods to beer and wine, this cozy coffee shop has something for everyone. Owned and operated by Ashley Linnekin, this beloved local spot is known for its friendly staff and welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. Whether seated inside or taking in ocean views on its top deck, it’s easy to see why Ashley’s is one of the area’s most popular women-owned coffee shops. You may also find local women artists featured inside like Reddawn Designs or Wiloware Studio.

 

obx airplanes biplane fly lighthouse aerial

OBX Airplanes
After obtaining her commercial license in 2011, Jenny Hawk began teaching aspiring pilots under the name OBX Airplanes. She also famously flew a biplane while seven months pregnant, making her one bad mama.

 

 

outer surf

Outer Surf
Before launching Outer Surf, owner Bri Young founded Outer Babes, a free, all-girls surf club for local middle and high school girls. During the pandemic, owner Bri Young’s business grew to include Outer Surf, which offers surf lessons for people of all ages. Outer Surf still caters to her female clientele with surf camps for girls and retreats for women. 

 

moontide women owned business

Moontide Botanicals
Founded by Katelin Kight, Moon Tide Botanicals is a woman-owned business inspired by the beauty of the Outer Banks. Its all-natural, plant-based skincare products are made with organic, nutrient-rich botanicals and are free of parabens, silicon, and synthetic perfumes to soothe and protect your skin. 

 

Vicki Basnight

Vicki Basnight at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe
While Vicki Basnight is a fisherwoman, first and foremost, she is also co-owner — along with her parents — of the seafood eatery. The daughter of illustrious NC Senator Marc Basnight, she’s one of the Outer Banks’ few female anglers, a role she uses to help supply the restaurant with fresh local fare. She also educates the public about the advantages of eating local seafood.

 

kasey powell women owned

Kasey Powell Weddings
Kasey specializes in capturing the genuine and heartfelt moments of a couple’s love story through cinematic photography. She documents weddings and couples worldwide, blending artistry with a deep appreciation for human connection. Beyond her craft, Kasey is committed to social and environmental causes, donating 1% of all profits to Amazon Watch and planting over 600 trees in her couples' names through One Tree Planted.

 

swell ceramics women owned

Swell Ceramics
Melanie LaFountaine, the artist behind Swell Ceramics, creates handcrafted pottery inspired by the natural beauty of the Outer Banks. Based in Nags Head, Melanie brings her background in Studio Art from UNC Wilmington into every piece, blending functionality with artistic expression. Whether it's a favorite mug or a statement piece, her work is a reflection of her passion for craftsmanship and coastal life.

 

salt cave women owned blog

Outer Banks Salt Cave
Phyllis K. Miller and Selina N. Martin, long-time residents of the Outer Banks, co-founded the Outer Banks Salt Cave to bring the benefits of halotherapy to their community. Inspired by Phyllis’s transformative experience at a salt cave in Santa Fe, New Mexico, they offer a serene environment where visitors can relax and address respiratory and skin concerns through natural salt therapy.

 

Notable OBX Women in History

Louise Meekins (1907–1973) 
This Manteo native helped shape the OBX national park system by being the area’s first female national park ranger. Her extensive historical knowledge of events connected to the national historical site, along with local lore, made Meekins invaluable to the community. 
 
Carolista Baum (1940-1991)
In 1973, Carolista Fletcher Baum, an environmental activist, stood in front of a bulldozer to halt the destruction of Jockey's Ridge, the tallest natural sand dune on the East Coast. Her courageous act led to the formation of the group People to Preserve Jockey's Ridge, which successfully lobbied for the area to be designated as a North Carolina State Park in 1975, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
 
Virginia Tillett (1941-2021)
Virginia Simmons Tillett was a dedicated educator and community leader in Dare County, serving over 30 years in public office. She was the first African American elected to both the Dare County Board of Education and the Dare County Board of Commissioners, holding leadership roles in each. Tillett played a pivotal role in establishing the Dare County Center, a multigenerational facility providing programs and resources to residents. In recognition of her service, the center was renamed the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center in 2022.
 
Eleanor Dare (1568–1587)
Eleanor White (née Dare), daughter of the Roanoke Colony’s governor, John White, and wife Ananias, was America’s first English-born child. Along with everyone else remaining in the “Lost Colony,” she disappeared without a trace, making her a fundamental part of American history. 
 
Cheryl Shelton-Roberts
Author and preservationist Cheryl Shelton-Roberts is credited with playing a key role in moving the country’s tallest brick lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, to a different, safer location in 1999. She’s also the co-founder and former president of the nonprofit the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society.