What qualifies an LGBTQ-owned business? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAn LGBTQ-owned business is any business owned and operated by an individual that identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (including non-binary\/gender non-conforming individuals). To get certified as an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE), a business must meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Majority (at least 51%) owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBT person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Exercises independence from any non-LGBT business enterprise<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Has its headquarters in the United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Has been formed as a legal entity in the United States<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Certifications for LGBTQ-owned businesses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n1. Self-Certification: <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
There are two main options to self-certify your business. You can download and complete the affidavit form or follow the SBA online self-certification process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Self-certification affidavit form<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- SBA online self-certification<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Third-Party Certification:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC<\/a>) is the only third-party certification entity in the United States for LGBTBEs. To help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, the NGLCC has created a certification program to give business owners from within the community an advantage. Certified LGBTBEs are scouted by NGLCC corporate partners<\/a> looking to increase their spend with the LGBTQ+ business community. Certified LGBTBEs have access to more than 160 contacts with retail leaders through the NGLCC. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSupporting LGBTQ+ brands is one way to counteract the disproportionate privilege and audience that is granted to non-minority-owned businesses. There are countless queer-owned businesses that you can support during and beyond Pride Month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahead are 10 LGBTQ-owned brands that can be found on RangeMe (and major bonus, most are NGLCC certified!): <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Funatic: Novelty & Private Label Socks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/uc446fdbfd8abb8ca769c20e5a1d.previews.dropboxusercontent.com\/p\/thumb\/ABOMOqz3FIqW5oQSGdzNRkiG_OcXqwV-7Le_MtHZbZpC_nQMheoWeTaGD1iaZFWuvNA_vWNhO8dJbsspMp_E9O01Q89YhvXerAn24W8rRbEZzLrIuK-X7qnkW9SA0c06reDrSPhZmWa4tu4NDcaJkF8bPDZZF7pBPlfFplLnWLblfYd4dUDl0rdpaMT0AkIqr0Ky7Ete7fIUAR2s00uYvhoWSaSx1aH-2dUhF_ZxXcDBAIbj4Ripk7O2OHq4Z_8IHofHOduVAGOgUr3bMETPDDt0phSh0hIz_XCY4VgBI5fHrzSOMkT2M0pW0fsfQd3ua1fSzw2yzpg_Zoecs--o5_gQkXSVK8n5F6wIUz84nkg6Q4l_YnnO1mpoIAe0E0VH-FGEAq25B3usoiErMSvVhxcBv_j1hQyHR_ByNMo3AZccrxHwsl-yTGxnii49jS_6FOCSWM22OfJLddANB-C5JUox_HwaQBkpVzXuEE4j5XY9pqaA0n2C8Z2UskyxzwCdZC0-05RFBx5_rLc1ocRT2zYpD478V1NgmNe-8TckfVmEPWTTXT6bPZh8hq0FBqVR2sJK8GAkDPU4xbT4I7d0yzFfcJ32yjBinF8MKNsHBSNtfFeZS3_y79lk4DjY_WDcKGNCFqjPjK8s3tYnEunQkaegoyoYfA6SG2kJDMpPQhn_t7JSw_AmKOQzlz8kXX-ldWX42Kv4eDuJbIH1XG8KUbUvd1Mw1K7YMn4LD_y_gaUdO0FxjJNr2W2BZuUb7zEZWJsR3ZBkFBGvRaZIRec2P3nBuKr4hX7BMDGABGmjP_VikMzNPCbtPAIS28Mudl9e-dCxwvHqD0Bf-nyTyfI7ntdyJAEtXjbU4g1YRwUWn6wnz20M2lob7bT6-0cSMHEmCpNz2mJomvg8tHi8jXxpk3qk\/p.jpeg?fv_content=true&size_mode=5\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen asked how his personal experience of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community impacted running a business, Barr explained it was an integral part of starting Funatic Socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Want to make one of the most common and generic Christmas presents funky and fun? Yes, I’m talking about socks! In 2016, when masks were for Halloween and Lions were still King (not Tigers), Mike Barr founded Funatic Socks<\/a> at his dining room table. About a year later, he called his lifelong friend from elementary school, Tanya, and asked her to come aboard as Funatic\u2019s Creative Director. Now, the pair makes funny, edgy, and pop-culture-inspired socks that appeal to men and women of all ages. In reaction to the pandemic, the pair also ventured into creating custom face masks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cAs a suburban kid coming of age in the late-80s and early-90s, I quickly learned that the LGBTQ+ community is super diverse, representing all colors, all ethnicities, all political leanings, all education levels, and all socio-economic backgrounds. So years later when I started Funatic, I had all those groups in mind when we began creating designs that would appeal to people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n\u2013 Mike Barr, Founder, Funatic Socks<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nFunatic is backed by an amazing team making sure the company finds its way into independent retail stores across the USA, Canada, and Europe. Whether you find their socks in a Brooklyn boutique, a hardware store in Pigeon Forge, an art gallery in South Beach, or a big box retailer with thousands of stores nationwide, Funatic promises to design socks for everybody–no matter what beliefs you carry or what your background may be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an emerging brand, Funatic is finding RangeMe to be an important part of their arsenal as they begin to pursue opportunities with larger multi-door retailers and continue growing with independent retailers across the country. \u201cRangeMe has opened doors to present our socks to buyers that we otherwise would not have met,\u201d says Barr. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t get cold-feet, give Funatic socks a try! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Certifications for LGBTQ-owned businesses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n1. Self-Certification: <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
There are two main options to self-certify your business. You can download and complete the affidavit form or follow the SBA online self-certification process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Self-certification affidavit form<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- SBA online self-certification<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Third-Party Certification:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC<\/a>) is the only third-party certification entity in the United States for LGBTBEs. To help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, the NGLCC has created a certification program to give business owners from within the community an advantage. Certified LGBTBEs are scouted by NGLCC corporate partners<\/a> looking to increase their spend with the LGBTQ+ business community. Certified LGBTBEs have access to more than 160 contacts with retail leaders through the NGLCC. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSupporting LGBTQ+ brands is one way to counteract the disproportionate privilege and audience that is granted to non-minority-owned businesses. There are countless queer-owned businesses that you can support during and beyond Pride Month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahead are 10 LGBTQ-owned brands that can be found on RangeMe (and major bonus, most are NGLCC certified!): <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Funatic: Novelty & Private Label Socks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen asked how his personal experience of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community impacted running a business, Barr explained it was an integral part of starting Funatic Socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Want to make one of the most common and generic Christmas presents funky and fun? Yes, I’m talking about socks! In 2016, when masks were for Halloween and Lions were still King (not Tigers), Mike Barr founded Funatic Socks<\/a> at his dining room table. About a year later, he called his lifelong friend from elementary school, Tanya, and asked her to come aboard as Funatic\u2019s Creative Director. Now, the pair makes funny, edgy, and pop-culture-inspired socks that appeal to men and women of all ages. In reaction to the pandemic, the pair also ventured into creating custom face masks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\u201cAs a suburban kid coming of age in the late-80s and early-90s, I quickly learned that the LGBTQ+ community is super diverse, representing all colors, all ethnicities, all political leanings, all education levels, and all socio-economic backgrounds. So years later when I started Funatic, I had all those groups in mind when we began creating designs that would appeal to people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n\u2013 Mike Barr, Founder, Funatic Socks<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nFunatic is backed by an amazing team making sure the company finds its way into independent retail stores across the USA, Canada, and Europe. Whether you find their socks in a Brooklyn boutique, a hardware store in Pigeon Forge, an art gallery in South Beach, or a big box retailer with thousands of stores nationwide, Funatic promises to design socks for everybody–no matter what beliefs you carry or what your background may be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an emerging brand, Funatic is finding RangeMe to be an important part of their arsenal as they begin to pursue opportunities with larger multi-door retailers and continue growing with independent retailers across the country. \u201cRangeMe has opened doors to present our socks to buyers that we otherwise would not have met,\u201d says Barr. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t get cold-feet, give Funatic socks a try! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Third-Party Certification:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC<\/a>) is the only third-party certification entity in the United States for LGBTBEs. To help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, the NGLCC has created a certification program to give business owners from within the community an advantage. Certified LGBTBEs are scouted by NGLCC corporate partners<\/a> looking to increase their spend with the LGBTQ+ business community. Certified LGBTBEs have access to more than 160 contacts with retail leaders through the NGLCC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Supporting LGBTQ+ brands is one way to counteract the disproportionate privilege and audience that is granted to non-minority-owned businesses. There are countless queer-owned businesses that you can support during and beyond Pride Month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahead are 10 LGBTQ-owned brands that can be found on RangeMe (and major bonus, most are NGLCC certified!): <\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked how his personal experience of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community impacted running a business, Barr explained it was an integral part of starting Funatic Socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to make one of the most common and generic Christmas presents funky and fun? Yes, I’m talking about socks! In 2016, when masks were for Halloween and Lions were still King (not Tigers), Mike Barr founded Funatic Socks<\/a> at his dining room table. About a year later, he called his lifelong friend from elementary school, Tanya, and asked her to come aboard as Funatic\u2019s Creative Director. Now, the pair makes funny, edgy, and pop-culture-inspired socks that appeal to men and women of all ages. In reaction to the pandemic, the pair also ventured into creating custom face masks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs a suburban kid coming of age in the late-80s and early-90s, I quickly learned that the LGBTQ+ community is super diverse, representing all colors, all ethnicities, all political leanings, all education levels, and all socio-economic backgrounds. So years later when I started Funatic, I had all those groups in mind when we began creating designs that would appeal to people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n\u2013 Mike Barr, Founder, Funatic Socks<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Funatic is backed by an amazing team making sure the company finds its way into independent retail stores across the USA, Canada, and Europe. Whether you find their socks in a Brooklyn boutique, a hardware store in Pigeon Forge, an art gallery in South Beach, or a big box retailer with thousands of stores nationwide, Funatic promises to design socks for everybody–no matter what beliefs you carry or what your background may be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As an emerging brand, Funatic is finding RangeMe to be an important part of their arsenal as they begin to pursue opportunities with larger multi-door retailers and continue growing with independent retailers across the country. \u201cRangeMe has opened doors to present our socks to buyers that we otherwise would not have met,\u201d says Barr. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t get cold-feet, give Funatic socks a try! <\/p>\n\n\n\nFunatic: Novelty & Private Label Socks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n