Shop CONQUERing Faves: Pride Edition

As you might know, a core value of the CONQUERing brand is empowerment. We are committed to uplifting others and encouraging our customers to be the best versions of themselves. 

In March, we featured some of our favorite women-owned small businesses for Women's History Month. As a woman-owned small business, we understand the challenges it takes to run a business and wanted to support some of our faves in a post. 

Now that it's Pride month, we wanted to make a CONQUERing faves edition for our favorite LGBTQ+ owned small businesses! 

Our Favorite Small Businesses Owned by Members of the LGBTQ+ Community

Whether it be brands we've collaborated with, or brands we just love, these are our current faves. 

LGBTQ+ Brands We've Collaborated With

First, we wanted to highlight some of the small businesses owned by members of the LGBTQ+ community that we've collaborated with: 

• Caitlin Chrisenee Photography: Caitlin Chrisenee Photography is the photographer we use for all of our product and lifestyle photographs. Caitlin is a Cincinnati-based photographer and has been a fantastic partner since the beginning of CONQUERing. She also offers photobooth services through her website and co-runs an event planning Instagram (@midwestern.lesbian) that shares Queer events in the Cincinnati area! 
• Tomi Newman. Tomi Newman is a musical theatre performer and choreographer that we collaborated with on a Vessel Collection. They make jewelry and run a personal chef business (À La Tom) in addition to performing. Tomi made the Vintage Fusion Vessel Collection that launched in August of 2024. They have also modeled in some of our photoshoots so you might see them pop up on our website and in our blogs from time to time. 
• Via Rae. Via Rae is a stylist and artist that we've collaborated with on Vessel Collections, ring bands, and elements. She created the "Moments in Time" and 11:11 Watch Face Vessel Collections. She is also the artist behind the ViaDeco™ Ring band and the ViaDeco™ CrossBar™ Element. You can learn more about her from the feature we wrote during her participation as a stylist in the Decades Styling Challenge. 

LGBTQ+ Small Businesses We Admire

We also wanted to share some small businesses owned by members of the LGBTQ+ community that we love and admire! These businesses are all based in the Cincinnati area like us. As a small business, we feel it's incredibly important to uplift other small businesses around us. if you're from Cincinnati, or in the Cincinnati area, we highly recommend you check out these businesses: 

• Artmarkit. Artmarkit is a creative sanctuary started by former middle school art teacher, Katie Kit. She acts as an in-store art teacher who can offer guidance when needed for people who create in the space. Artmarkit hosts events and classes for artists of all skill levels to enjoy!
• Awarewolf Apparel. Awarewolf Apparel was founded by Landon Reed in 2015. He started the brand to help fund his transition and to fulfill a dream to own an LGBTQ+ clothing company. Awarewolf offers a wide variety of styles for people of all identities and for people with different comfort levels of being "Loud & Proud" about their identity. 
• Casablanca Vintage. Casablanca Vintage was established in 1985 as a pre 1970s menswear shop. It has since evolved into a vintage store that acquires high-quality vintage clothing from the late 1800s to the 1990s. They also work with film and theatre companies to provide costumes for period pieces. 
• Continual Goods. Continual Goods was founded in 2018 by Sarah, an influencer/content creator, wife, and mom. Sarah started making hair accessories from secondhand clothing and expanded to more goods that everyone can enjoy. Everything she makes comes from upcycled materials!
• Skinny Dip Jewelry. Skinny Dip Jewelry was established in 2018 by Morgan McGoff. The name comes from the phrase, "in the skinny" which they interpret to mean "live as your authentic self." This fellow jewelry brand specializes in staple pieces that allow customers to express their true selves. 

Commit to Buying from LGBTQ+ Owned Small Businesses

This list only features a small number of the amazing LGBTQ+ owned small businesses out there. This Pride Month, commit to finding businesses in your own area! Don't just shop during Pride Month, these businesses need your support year-round. 

From creative spaces to vintage stores, the possibilities are endless. You might even come across a business you love and become a lifelong customer!