It's no secret that the economy has seen better days. Employment rates are at their lowest since the Great Depression and small businesses around the country are struggling to survive”and a large portion of them have already shuttered their doors.
Fortunately, it's not all doom and gloom for small business owners. There are a fair amount of LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly businesses out there that are holding their own and even expanding right here in Florida.
Here are a few businesses to keep an eye on in the upcoming months because at the rate they're going, they could become household names:
Al and Chuck Travel
One of the more popular local businesses to gain momentum over the past year seems to be AlandChuck.Travel. The travel site, a product of Al Ferguson and Chuck Scott”who have been life partners for more than 22 years”has been promoted nationally on LOGO, thanks to a tie-in with RuPaul's Drag Race. The couple is also behind Legendary Journeys, a travel company that books group trips around the world.
Today AlandChuck.Travel has 11 offices, a fleet of its own motor coaches and has booked tours and cruises around the world to Pride festivals, circuit parties and historic destination. According to the site, AlAndChuck.Travel is a top 1% travel company and is continuing to grow.
6S Boutique
In February of this year, performers in the Tampa Bay area were welcomed into a boutique that catered specifically to their every need. Andy and Sasha Citino opened their 6S Boutique to provide performance gear for female impersonators, male impersonators and those who just want to look good in the spotlight. The inspiration behind the store, according to Sasha Citino, came when the couple realized that performers had to travel throughout the state just to find the necessities of a perfect performance.
Since the couple opened their store at 7213 Central Ave., in St. Petersburg, performers have flocked to the store and have used a special delivery option that is a new concept behind customer service.
If the amount of rhinestones, wigs and makeup lining the cases are any indication”things are continuing to go well for the small shop. For details and information on 6S Boutique, or call 727-498-6590.
SoyBrite Candle Company
Everyone loves the smell a fragrant candle can bring to your home. But not everyone is aware of the health risks traditional candles carry with them. That's part of the reason why Frank Meekins and Tim Huff of St. Petersburg started their SoyBrite Candle Company. The couple molds their own candles and focus on protecting the environment, and protecting consumers by using the most natural ingredients available to their customers.
According to the company website, soy candles produce little or no soot, burn at least 30% longer than paraffin candles and hold colors and scents for longer periods of time.
Art in Voyage”Beyond Travel
Gina Duncan and Mikael Audebert of Orlando definitely have full plates. Duncan is the president of the Metropolitan Business Association and a representative with Wells Fargo. Audebert is the executive producer of Orlando Pride”but both are owners of Art in Voyage”Beyond Travel. The new travel company creates a-la-carte vacations tailored specifically for the client. The company also has eight select departures scheduled in 2011 that simply require clients to sign up for a vacation of a lifetime.
Art in Voyage consists of professional travel consultants who personally test accommodations, tours and excursions to ensure a positive experience for clients. For more information visit the office at 23 Osceola Ave., in Orlando, or call 1-888-610-8687.
MyQmunity
What started as a way to inform visitors of what businesses are LGBT-owned or LGBT-friendly has morphed over the past year to become a resource for events, news and discounted fun. MyQmunity publisher Mariruth Kennedy envisioned a resource to learn about community organizations, clubs and groups, houses of worship, events and businesses that are gay owned, gay friendly or that appeal to gay sensibilities.
While the website is currently only focused on the Tampa Bay area, Kennedy says she expects to become nationally branded site with information on local communities across the country. One of the site's newest endeavors is its MyQpon program, which works similarly to mainstream sites like LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com”only with a focus on LGBT-themed businesses and events.
With a growing presence at Pride festivals, business organizations and other outlets, look for MyQmunity to continue to grow.
Rainbow411
Victor Lopez and Greg Henchar are the minds behind Rainbow411.com, which is a website dedicated to highlighting LGBT businesses throughout the state of Florida. Since its launch, Rainbow411 (also known as Gay Safe Haven) has become a staple at events throughout Orlando, Sarasota and Tampa Bay. Henchar and Lopez also host an online radio show weekly, and cover a large range of topics and news. With continued marketing and its sponsorship of several festivals and LGBT events, look for Rainbow411 to continue its phenomenal growth.
The L-Train
When it started, The L-Train was a movie theater”and it had a different name. But today, the L-Train in downtown St. Petersburg has turned into a popular hang out for the artsy community and a home for special events. Just in the past few months the L-Train has held its 8-Minute Movie night, hosted a local Talent Quest Florida singing competition, town hall forums and special adult entertainment. Laura Cipriani, a native of New York, continues to find new and inventive ways to use the space at 25b Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
