This Pride month, get inspired by these small business tips from LGBTQ+ founders

It’s time to embrace the colours of the rainbow this June, as London is set to celebrate Pride month and honour our queer and trans+ friends, family and small business owners.

This year’s theme is “Embracing everyone: a home for all of London’s LGBTQIA+ communities” with the Pride in London parade taking place on Saturday, 4 July.  

Owning a business is a great way to empower yourself and your community, and these queer and trans+ founders are doing just that. Find out more about their businesses, how they have established a network, found support and what living authentically looks like as an entrepreneur. 

Han Newman (she/they)  

“Maintain connections and have lots of coffees – sometimes the most valuable opportunities come from within your existing networks”

Han at a competition (copyright: Claire Haynes, courtesy of Newman Sports Psychology). 

Instagram: @newmansportpsychology

Facebook: Newman Sport Psychology

Spotify: Anti‑Should Fitness Psychology podcast

What they do: Han is a personal trainer and sports psychologist offering small-group sessions, coaching and mindset workshops that create safe, inclusive spaces for anyone who’s previously felt excluded from exercise. 

Q&A with Han

What would you tell your younger self?  

Success looks different to everyone, and success on paper doesn’t always align with a happy and fulfilled life. 

Don’t be afraid to do things differently from what the people around you might expect. Pursue your own version of success, the one that aligns with how you want to live your life, be it in business, health, fitness or any other sphere of life. 

Life is too short to live by other people’s “shoulds” when you could be doing the things that actually make you feel alive.

What’s driving you this year? What are you most excited about?

Most of my work to date has been either through private clients or within my small-group offering, the Fit for Life Community. 

Whilst I love the work that I do in both contexts, I know that I can reach and help more people by working more with businesses and organisations. This year, I’m excited to develop my corporate wellbeing offering, which supports busy professionals in building a healthy and sustainable relationship with exercise. 

What’s a meaningful takeaway you took from attending our queer networking event, or other events from us?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Shout about what you do, online and offline, on a regular basis. People can’t buy what they can’t see, and they can’t know how you could help them if they don’t know what it is that you do. 

Maintain connections and have lots of coffees – sometimes the most valuable opportunities come from within your existing networks, and often from where you might least expect. 

Jonathan Antonacci (he/him)

“You’re not on your own just because you are an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur. In this community, you’re never truly alone”  

Jonathan Antonacci (copyright: Jonathan Antonacci, courtesy of Jonathan Life Coach).

Instagram: @jonathanlifecoach

What he does: Jonathan is a life coach supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in London.  

Q&A with Jonathan

What’s your advice for other queer/LGBTQ+ founders looking for business support?

My advice to other LGBTQ+ founders would be to get out there and join networking events. It can feel lonely to grow and sustain a business, I know that from experience. Many of us share the same struggles, and it’s not only a relief when you find that out, but you might also find yourself helping others, sometimes just by lending a listening ear. Or maybe that’s just my occupational hazard as a life coach!

What would you tell your younger self?  

Knowing what I know now, and after two years in therapy, I would give myself the compliments and recognition that I never received. I’d look in the mirror and say, “You are so strong. The fact you’re queer, which is what you fear the most, is your key to success. Wear your identity with pride like an armour. It will shine so brightly that people won’t be able to ignore you.”

When you fully own who you are, with all your imperfections, you get rid of that pressure to be someone else because of social media or insecurities. Authenticity is incredibly attractive. Confidence is attractive.

What’s driving you this year? What are you most excited about?

I want to know more queer entrepreneurs to join forces and collaborate. The advice I gave earlier, to use our community to connect, is one I also try to give myself. That’s exactly what I learned when I attended networking events organised by Grow London Local. People like to help, connect and stay in touch.

You’re not on your own just because you are an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur. In this community, you’re never truly alone. You will always find someone who knows what rejection feels like, and they will make you feel included. There is love out there. Go and grab it!

Daisy Richards (she/her)

“If you’re always trying to fit into someone else’s blueprint, your company will never feel like your own”

Daisy at her practice (copyright: Daisy Richards, courtesy of Daisy Richards Hypnotherapy. 

Instagram: @daisyrichardshypnotherapy

What she does: Daisy is a hypnotherapist who works with women and queer men and is known for hosting Connection Walks at Epping Forest.

Q&A with Daisy

What’s your advice for other queer/LGBTQ+ founders looking for business support?

Business support doesn’t have to be just listening to an expert and following every step they take. Yes, you should value others' experience, but also value your own. If you’re always trying to fit into someone else’s blueprint, your company will never feel like your own. Reminds me of growing up trying to live in a heteronormative world…

Try things out, let go of the voice in your head that needs perfection and instant results. The thing that will make your company unique is you. Please, please be your gorgeous self.

What would you tell your younger self?  

Be brave, girl! My younger self always sought acceptance and praise, and she consequently hated life. Little Daisy tried on so many different cloaks to find the one that fitted, but they were all uncomfortable. She only ever showed part of herself. So I’d tell her: “Be fearless in wearing your own skin, it’s beautiful”. 

Stepping into my business owner era has meant showing up fully as myself – something my younger self was terrified of. I want to tell that chaotic girl that she’s always been worthy as her true self, and life begins when she lets who she really is shine.

Life becomes so beautiful when you allow yourself to bloom. It’s your time.

What’s driving you this year? What are you most excited about?

This is the second year of running my business; I’m so excited about dropping the noise and just focusing on what’s bringing me the most joy – working with clients on an individual basis.

It’s so humbling to be a part of someone else’s journey; sitting with them through their vulnerability, challenges and growth. For many LGBTQIA+ people, life has never felt like their own, whether through shame, fear, alienation or a whole tapestry of other reasons. I love helping queer people reclaim their lives and start living as who they’ve always deserved to be. 

Celebrating pride – don’t miss these events in London:  

• Deptford Flower Market: Multiple dates throughout the year, but catch the Pride special on Saturday, 6 June.

• Dyke March held on Saturday, 20 June.

• As One In The Park: An LGBTQIA+ day festival on Saturday, 18 July.

• London Trans+ Pride is happening on Saturday, 25 July.

By starting or growing your business as a queer or trans+ founder, you’re setting an inspiring example and uplifting those around you. 

These founders show that building your business and personal brand in an ever-changing economic landscape doesn’t mean giving up your authentic self. In fact, this could even be what sets you apart. 

Find more inspiring stories from LGBTQ+ businesses featured in last year's Pride blog. 

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