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Posted: Mon 17th Jun 2024
June doesn't just mark the start of British summertime but is also the month when everyone comes together to celebrate the progress made towards equality and raising awareness about LGBTQ+ rights.
With this in mind, we spotlight Enterprise Nation members who run businesses by or for the LGBTQ+ community.
Mette Baillie set up her business in 1999 to provide an alternative to fast fashion, as well as design and make sustainable clothes. However, she ended up doing a lot of wedding outfits. Mette explains:
"When civil partnerships and gay weddings became legal, we were one of the first companies to embrace same-sex weddings. We have since done so many of those and recently did a documentary about non-binary bridal wear.
"We are now firmly established in the LGBTQIA+ community."
Alex Costin is an art creator, who started the business in 2020 as a freelance photographer. He explains:
"I am a queer trans photographer who strives to make photography accessible with sliding scale prices and accommodations. Lots of my projects focus on queer and trans relationships."
ChokuReiki Healing is a queer-owned business based in London and has been in the market since 2019. Emy Mendoza started the business to help people through their healing journey. He explains:
"We focus on wellness, mental health and energy. We consider ourselves a lifestyle brand that supports people’s energy through our handmade Reiki-infused products (healing candles, oils/salts and crystal jewellery).
"We also offer yoga classes, sound healing, Reiki therapy and retreats. We are all about positive vibes only!"
Savanna Jacqueline credits Enterprise Nation's seminars for her entrepreneurial success. Although her business is just a year and a half old, Savanna says her pole dance studio is run entirely by LGBTQ+ instructors. She explains:
"I started in a small town and wanted to create an accepting and fun space as that was currently lacking. We run weekly courses but also work with the Midlands LGBTQ+ community to run subsidised courses for the community."
