Starting a company with no money, no clients and no profile might not be the smartest decision, but hey, that’s what Polly and I did exactly one year ago. Looking back, I’m in awe of how much we have each grown personally, and as business owners.
In February 2024, Polly and I were still finding our working rhythm. We were (and still are) working other jobs, and cramming TheyConnect into late nights and weekends. One of the best things we did in those early days was establish a routine: every week consisted of a 4-hour intensive, a Friday check-in, and plenty of independent work in between. Working full-time on top of starting a social enterprise is tiring. But you can’t put a price on the huge personal growth that comes with starting a company.
In many ways, my business partnership with Polly is my longest relationship. When we signed the registration documents, we called it our “first marriage”. And what an exciting marriage it’s been! I attribute much of our healthy dynamic to finding communication and conflict strategies that work for us. For example, we always say the “little thing before it becomes a big thing” (thank you to the co-founders of Shameless Media for this tip). We also spent months defining and refining our core values, which have now become an important barometer we use when making tough calls. Make no mistake: being in constant collaboration with Polly requires openness, vulnerability, and the flexibility to let go of any cherished outcomes.
But where there’s growth, there’s incredible success too! Some of my favourite achievements of the first twelve months of TheyConnect include forging a partnership with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, hosting our launch showcase with a room full of our friends, family and industry figures, and collaborating with Advertising Council Australia on an industry-wide training.
Each week, Polly and I end our agenda with a “lesson of the week”. Some of my favourites are listed below:
When we started TheyConnect, Polly and I talked about wanting to do things differently. Our business model, our goals, our methodology. We didn’t want to get so caught up in the commercial side of the business that we forgot our true vision for a future where LGBTQIA+ people feel safe, seen and celebrated everywhere. And looking at the current social and political climate, it feels more pertinent than ever before.
And so we enter Year Two of TheyConnect. We have settled on the theme of “connect”. I know, radical for a company with the word “connect” in the name! But our goals for the year revolve around relationships, community-building, and demonstrating how Queer Thinking makes the world a better place. Are we looking for clients? Heck yes! Can we help marketing teams be more LGBTQ+ inclusive? You bet. But we aren’t chasing any shiny opportunities at the expense of staying true to our purpose.
~ Hank
TheyConnect delivers resources, training, and consultation that supports the elimination of LGBTQ+ discrimination. We empower brands, marketers and business leaders to be more confident allies and authentically connect with LGBTQ+ communities without feeling awkward or tokenistic. If you’d like to find out more about some of the ways we can support you, head to our contact page here.
