Wednesday Wisdom: Business Pride

#WednesdayWisdom #WomenEntrepreneurs #FemaleBusinessOwners

Digging through some old linens, I found a rainbow pillow case that belonged to me when I was young. I always loved the symbol and colors. It made me happy. Watching the Wizard of Oz movie and hearing the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” had a happy and hopeful connotation to me. Forget about asking me which rainbow color was my favorite; I loved them all, just like I love all people.

According to Wikipedia, artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man and a drag queen, designed the first rainbow flag as a symbol of pride for the gay community. He was encouraged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. However, it wasn’t until 1994 that the rainbow flag was officially established as the symbol of LGBTQ pride. The rainbow flag is now an international symbol of LGBTQ pride, proudly flying around the world.

Women entrepreneurs who support LGBTQ+ pride display the rainbow flag at their businesses or storefronts, and female business owners with online companies post or display rainbow flags in social media stories, on their websites, or announce it in their blogs. Some of them are part of the LGBTQ community, some support someone they know who is part of the community, and others display it to announce that they are open to serving or selling to this market.

Even though showcasing the rainbow flag might increase sales for a business, for most business owners, it is about showing compassion and acceptance since some of the vendors in our country refuse to make wedding cakes for gay couples, or denounce them at their doors. It doesn’t help having a president who is trying to turn back gay rights.

Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to inspire you during Pride Month – the month of June – to think about ways you can support this community of people. Can you offer them discounts? Can you hang a flag to show you care? Can you host events and invite them, or show off their artwork? Can you pin a flag to your website or write a post and share it?

Sometimes marketing can be about showcasing our collective concern for a market that isn’t treated correctly. It doesn’t make us the most innovative entrepreneurs, but it makes us better humans and more compassionate community members.

Note: Do you show your support for Pride Month?