Did you know the rest of the world thinks South Africa’s Constitution is one of the most open-minded on the globe? I'd bet you didn’t know that you could use our liberal laws to your financial advantage! I’m talking about profiting from a unique market created from our legalisation of gay and lesbian marriages.
 

How you can cash in on profits from ‘pink’ biz opps!

Gay and lesbian couples who want to celebrate their legal freedom by tying the knot need alternatives to the clothes and accessories sold in traditional bridal boutiques. This is the perfect opportunity for you. Offering exclusive options they won’t get elsewhere... wedding dresses with a dashing twist and men’s suits with a frilly touch... and you'll rake in the money.

And don’t think you have to live in the Mother City to make money from this kind of business. As South Africa’s gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transvestite (GLBT) communities grow steadily, there'll be a nationwide demand for these speciality boutiques. Even better, our country’s liberal outlook is also attracting couples from all over the world who want to enjoy their alternative lifestyles in peace. Now’s the perfect time to take your share of these ‘pink profits’.

Kickstarting your GLBT boutique

Before you start your unique wedding boutique, research the tastes and needs of the gay and lesbian community.Mmagazines and websites are the best place to start. Well-known magazines include Wrapped Magazine, Exit Magazine and OutRight. For websites and online magazines try www.gaysouthafrica.co.za or www.gaypagessa.co.za.

Once you have enough info, get in touch with a designer who can work with you to custom-make the same-sex wedding clothes (to do this place an ad on SA’s gay websites or in prominent gay magazines). Make sure you also hook up with some gay-friendly wedding officers, honeymoon resorts and legal service, so your boutique not only provides wedding clothes to the couples but also functions as a great “onestop-shop” for their other needs.

As for marketing, the latest overseas trend is gay-friendly advertising and you’ll put your new business right at the forefront of SA interest if you invest in this too. But don’t forget that word-of-mouth might be an even more powerful tool in drawing customers to your store, because your first few customers will no doubt be very happy to tell their community of what you offer.

I think this is a great, untapped opportunity that could turn out to be a lot of fun too! So what are you waiting for? Put on your 'pink' thinking cap and get to it!
 

Kind Regards

Pascale Barrow
Managing Editor of Personal & Finance Confidential