Experiences of Finnish LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs: Challenges, Strategies and Opportunities
Sillanpää, Iina (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121838403
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121838403
Tiivistelmä
LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs form a valuable but underrepresented segment of entrepreneurial ecosystem, yet the literature on it is scarce in the Finnish context. The main objective of this research was to examine how LGBTQ+ identity shapes entrepreneurial experiences, especially identity-related challenges, strategies utilized when navigating them and opportunities that arise. The data consisted of 10 interviews of Finnish LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and was analysed through thematic analysis.
The results demonstrate that LGBTQ+ identity is tied to entrepreneurship in various ways and serves as an asset, both personally and professionally. It influenced multiple business aspects, including values, communications and customer relationships. The entrepreneurs saw it as a market advantage that simultaneously enabled developing safe and inclusive services and environments. Challenges were mostly related to minority stress, heteronormative assumptions and occasional experiences of discrimination. These challenges built resilience and were navigated through transparent identity expression, preventive strategies, community support. Additionally, limitations in inclusive and LGBTQ+ positive networks were emphasized.
In conclusion, this study shows that LGBTQ+ identity can be seen as a significant, aspect that brings value for the entrepreneurs, their customers and the community. It also indicates that identity is often not only integrated but merged with the businesses. These results can be useful for developing the inclusivity in the Finnish entrepreneurial environment and networks and growing the visibility of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
The results demonstrate that LGBTQ+ identity is tied to entrepreneurship in various ways and serves as an asset, both personally and professionally. It influenced multiple business aspects, including values, communications and customer relationships. The entrepreneurs saw it as a market advantage that simultaneously enabled developing safe and inclusive services and environments. Challenges were mostly related to minority stress, heteronormative assumptions and occasional experiences of discrimination. These challenges built resilience and were navigated through transparent identity expression, preventive strategies, community support. Additionally, limitations in inclusive and LGBTQ+ positive networks were emphasized.
In conclusion, this study shows that LGBTQ+ identity can be seen as a significant, aspect that brings value for the entrepreneurs, their customers and the community. It also indicates that identity is often not only integrated but merged with the businesses. These results can be useful for developing the inclusivity in the Finnish entrepreneurial environment and networks and growing the visibility of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.