Entrepreneurship, financial independence, sustainability, business growth are all terms we have heard before. But all of them translate differently on Instagram.
A lot of small businesses- thrift stores, export supplies, pre-loved clothing, handmade clothes & jewelry, etcetera have been featuring on our explore pages and feed recently. With fast-fashion industries being called out on their treatment of workers and their lack of minimising environmental damage; upcycled, environmentally sustainable sources of fashion have been given a space to grow.
What's more interesting is to note who really owns these businesses.
While capitalist, patriarchal structures lock women and other gender minorities out of big businesses; entrepreneurship on Instagram has been a little different.
Needless to say that access to resources and financial capital has not been easy for these minority communities, yet there is a significant change for those that have the potential. Having a business of your own holds great value due to the agency and choice it offers- in terms of working conditions, daily wage and the identity of your business.
The reason this is significant is due to the conditions they have managed to grow and establish themselves in. The COVID-19 pandemic hit a lot of local businesses hard to the extent of significant economic losses, big businesses too faced the brunt, having to fire a lot of their employees to stay afloat.
I'd like to note that starting a thrift store or any small business is not easy, it requires a lot of work, patience and effort that goes largely unnoticed. It's all about finding your niche, understanding your market to price and source the products accordingly but most importantly, being able to gain the consumer base to sell your products to.
So, for those of you that wish to support them, here is a list of WGM, LGBTQIA+ owned business that I have come across and/or supported:-
A small business that sources a collection of new, thrifted, pre-loved items owned by two women in Delhi.
If you are looking for chic skirts, dresses & Pinterest-y outfits, this is the store to shop from.
For those of you that are into aesthetic jewelry, this is definitely the place for you.
A unique source of handmade designs at super affordable prices that isn't just the basic kind you find at most stores.
They also do customisations of designs you can send to them.
Literally one of the most versatile pieces are curated by this store, owned by three young women based in Delhi. You name it, they have it- a wide range of ditsy floral dresses, blouses, vintage shirts.
All the different aesthetics to suit your needs.
So, crochet is super trendy right now (should be for ever!!)
If there's a place you wish to get them from, ditch ZARA and head to this slow and sustainable fashion store which also happens to be a queer-owned small business.
They do customisations, unlike ZARA.
An artist when it comes to designing tie-and-dye T-shirts and bandanas. They use locally sourced fabrics & materials, developing their products sustainably.
Super cute and sweet while dealing and managing their business- might surprise you with cute catto pictures and stickers.
Till date, fashion industries- especially the "big brand" ones segregate their clothing items in the gender binary, heightening gender norms in what one can wear and what they cannot.
This store stands out for not confining fashion into genders, "for everyone and anyone".
Looking for trendy clothing that is sustainable and affordable? THIS IS YOUR PLACE! Owned and managed by a female college student- gaining economic capital at a much younger age.
You'll be able to find most if not all styles, vibes available at this store. Vintage shirts, Y2k, chic, cottagecore, minimalist, etc.
So, how did they grow?
Entrepreneurship otherwise required individuals to create a physical presence, more people to work together and manage websites but promotions and outreach have become significantly easier through Instagram. Not only is access to Instagram much easier than setting up a website- it has been able to provide a safe space to these communities.
All of the efforts of sourcing and curating products rely on understanding the audience on Instagram that is looking to support small business and moving towards sustainable fashion.
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