In this episode of Curious Blend with Keller Davis, Justin Galicz talks about how the idea for Austin’s The Little Gay Shop came about, the challenges of opening a business during the pandemic, and his goals for the future of the shop. He also shares tips he’s found useful to stay inspired and passionate in his role as a small business owner.

The Little Gay Shop is a queer marketplace in Austin, Texas, that offers a wide array of art, books, apparel, and other goods created exclusively by queer artists from around the world. The shop was founded by Justin and his partner, Kurt Reynolds, as a popup in 2018, and they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2019.

Justin and Kurt were inspired to start The Little Gay Shop after attending the Austin Pride Festival in 2018. They saw a need for a space where queer artists could sell their work and connect with the community. But a few months after the store opened the pandemic began. Justin and Kurt had to quickly adapt to the new reality, which included closing the shop for several months and shifting to online sales.

What’s in The Little Gay Shop’s future? Justin hopes it continues to grow and be an even more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. He also wants to continue their work supporting queer artists and businesses.

As a busy business owner Justin believes that it is important to be passionate about what you do and to surround yourself with people who support you. He has also found it helpful to take breaks and stay curious.

Follow The Little Gay Shop via their website, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.