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17 May 2022 10:25 AM

FSB launches new ‘Let’s Grow Business Together’ support hub for LGBTQ entrepreneurs

In partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses.

By Alastair James

Pictures: Provided

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched a new online hub, Let’s Grow Business Together, to support LGBTQ entrepreneurs and promote inclusivity within the workplace and the wider small business community.  

The hub launches as the FSB’s LGBTQ monthly networking events, originally held in London, are now open to small business owners and the self-employed across the UK.   

Jose Franca, a co-founder of the FSB’s LGBTQ networking events, explains how he was inspired to start the events when he spotted the gap for LGBT+ business networking.

“The regular attendance demonstrated the need and appetite for LGBT+ small business owners to come together, network, and learn from each other,” says Jose.   

“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people, and of course the rest of the community represented within the ‘+’, who become small business owners and the self-employed – often tell us: To be themselves, they wanted to work for themselves,” says Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs at the FSB.

“We know small business owners value connecting to their peers and learning from shared experiences – something we see happening every day between our members in every local community across the UK,” he adds.  

Successful LGBTQ small business owners and FSB members share their stories on the Let’s Grow Business Together hub, including their advice for aspiring LGBT+ entrepreneurs and top tips for workplace inclusion.

For example, in a feature about unconscious bias, inclusion specialist Ellie Lowther discusses her experiences as a trans entrepreneur and the importance of passion and resilience in business.   

Rich Allsop, the Founder of Spinder, an LGBTQ spin and social community, based in central London, shares how he celebrates diversity in his business with a weekly social media spotlight of individual members.

“Everyone is welcome at Spinder, regardless of how you identify, your fitness level, your age, or your experience – and we like to celebrate that.”  

Iain Anderson, the UK Government’s former LGBT Business Champion, who has supported the initiative, shares words of encouragement for LGBTQ business owners in a video on the hub.

“I think it’s fantastic that FSB is creating a hub around LGBTQ issues so that businesses can share best practice and buddy up. Like any business owner, you just want to do more business, so if this is a way of at the same time allowing faster progress on LGBT at work for the small business sector, I think that’s going to be fantastic.”

The FSB is encouraging all small businesses to make a pledge to support the LGBT+ community to receive a free FSB LGBTQ badge.

Downloadable posters and social media graphics are also available to show your customers, clients, and employees that you’re an LGBTQ friendly business or workplace.   

Discover more stories, resources, and events for LGBT+ small business owners on FSB’s Let’s Grow Business Together hub.  

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