“DYKE LOVER TIES”
BY SHORNA! (SHE/HER)
@cherryties on Instagram @shorna.s on Tiktok
Tell Us About Your Business:
Cherry ties offers fun, sustainable and hand sewn fashion accessories, with every item having the intention of encouraging queer people to express their sexualities openly! I sell my ties on vinted (@shorna.s) but I also offer custom orders. I've recently also started selling handmade felt keyrings, all stuffed with the scraps from making my ties to keep everything as sustainable as possible!
Follow me on instagram @cherrytiess and tiktok @shorna.s to see when I drop new ties or to message me about customs.
What does it mean to you to run a queer-owned business, not just personally, but politically and culturally?
It feels like I am contributing to something so much bigger than just myself, especially in our current political climate being overtly queer feels like such a statement. So creating loud in your face queer pieces that resonate with queer people fuels me to keep working hard, and having a platform, even with a small following, means I have the privilege of sharing the message that being loud and proud right now is so important. Because solidarity and speaking up for those that need it most is what the foundation of our community is built off of.
What have been some of the biggest joys—and biggest challenges—of building your business as a queer person?
Selling at queer art markets has definitely been one of the biggest joys since starting my business. They always have the best atmospheres and getting to speak to so many queer people in person and establish more of an understanding of my customers is incredibly rewarding. One of the biggest challenges would have to be initially having the confidence to start putting myself and my business out there more, but I think I’ve been lucky in finding my audience quite early on which has really driven me to keep going. However, reaching out for opportunities and even accepting ones given to me is quite a nerve wracking endeavour as this is all very new to me, and I’m not always sure if I am doing things the “right” way.
In what ways does your business create space for others in the LGBTQIA+ community-whether through representation, hiring, your offerings, or your ethos?
My ethos is entirely centred around queer joy and acceptance, I make my ties with the intention of providing my customers with a creative way of displaying their sexualities proudly. Also, my aspirations for my brand are to encourage and support queer people in taking up more space and opening up more opportunities for queer people to connect with one another.
What shifts or changes do you want to see in how queer businesses are supported, funded, or platformed?
I would love to see queer businesses being showcased all year round, not just during Pride month. Mainly mainstream brands and platforms seem to only want to give spotlight or collaborate with queer creatives in June, which feels performative if they aren’t supporting the LGBTQIA+ community all year round.
