Welcome to "What Happens After Pride" which shares the experiences and expertise of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Let’s explore their insights and expertise about business savvy at the intersection of gender and identity, and seek insights that are relevant all-year round.
Meet Priyanka Sharma, the 31-year-old trans-entrepreneur from Assam in India, who is brewing a business full of passion and experience despite the odds she faces in her journey.
Priyanka’s love for blended teas is inspired by an accidental occurrence as a child when she made tea infused with flavours of peda, a traditional Indian sweet. She eventually started Connecting Mitr and the brand Rainbow Brews under which she has developed over 250 tea blends. However, Priyanka’s family was not accepting of her trans-gender identity and financial constraints hindered her from starting her business.
Seeking change and representation, Priyanka moved to New Delhi to stay in a shelter home run by Mitr Trust, where she came across the Connecting Dreams Foundation’s Transformation Acceleration Program. With the help of CDF, Priyanka began her business in 2023. Operating through Instagram, she sold USD 358 worth of tea in her first month. Known for unique blends, sustainable practices, and impeccable commitment to customers, her business thrived, earning her an invitation to the Trans Employment Mela 2024.
Today, Priyanka Sarma stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Her journey from a small town in Assam to becoming a budding entrepreneur is a testament to the power of perseverance and a refusal to be anyone but herself. The journey has not been easy and continues to pose challenges. Priyanka seeks financial assistance to expand her business and mentorship to help her navigate the path to expansion.
NN: What inspired you to start your business?
Priyanka: A passion for a business idea, desire for independence, opportunity identification, financial independence, and creative expression. These are just a few reasons that inspired me to start a business.
NN: Share your experience as an LGBTQIA+ entrepreneur in India.
Priyanka: Being a trans-woman entrepreneur in India is hard. It’s hard to go out and sell my products as I face a lot of harassment from people. Even in my community, some people say we transgenders are doing unacceptable work or are begging or working as sex workers or dance girls.
As a transwoman I have seen bad days. At one time my daily income was USD 6 to 9.5. I would have a stall all day at the metro station and then go to the gurudwara where you get free meals and then I would spend the night on the pavement as I didn’t have enough money to even rent a room. On public holidays, I would go to the wholesale market carrying all my baggage because there would be nowhere to store them.
But I want to break this system. I remembered only the line ‘Nothing is impossible’. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’ That's all.
NN: What are some of the key challenges you've encountered in your journey, if any?
Priyanka: One of the main challenges I have encountered during my business journey is how to provide the best quality to consumers. At times I have gone into losses doing this and have been questioned by people about the ingredients. People want high quality products but at cheap rates.
NN: How can we create a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem for the LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs?
Priyanka: The essence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem is its people and the culture of trust and collaboration that allows them to interact successfully. An ecosystem that allows for the fast flow of talent, information, and resources helps entrepreneurs quickly find what they need at each stage of growth.
NN:What are some entrepreneurial achievements you're particularly proud of?
Priyanka: As I celebrated Diwali with my community members, I got a financial grant from Mitr. I had a group of college students help me label and create my visiting cards. I received the entrepreneur certificate in Trans Employment Mela 2024 in New Delhi and in Pride Month I crossed over 20 stalls in one month. My consumers are happy with my products. These are my achievements.
NN: What advice would you give to other LGBTQ+ entrepreneur?
Priyanka:
Read the market carefully before starting out.
Do a job in the same industry in which you want to start your business so you can learn the right skills.
Always value your consumer.
Customise your product to them.
Always maintain a high quality.
Priyanka’s story exemplifies the resilience and ingenuity of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Her experience of harassment and systematic hurdles is shared by many LGBTQ entrepreneurs all over the globe. This reality should serve as a lesson for the ecosystem that there is much more work to do. It's a vivid reminder that empowering LGBTQ entrepreneurs beyond a seasonal commitment is essential for their ongoing success and visibility.
In celebrating Priyanka’s achievements, we recognize the need for ongoing advocacy, ensuring that the spirit of Pride endures throughout the year.
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