The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District Entrepreneur Training Program is a nine-week training program where up to ten entrepreneurs from new or existing businesses serving the San Francisco leather and kink communities will work as a cohort in a mutually supportive environment to develop their respective businesses from the ground up.

The next cohort begins on September 5.

In this program, they will learn about different aspects of starting and running a business: customer discovery, marketing, finance, operations, strategizing, and business presentation. Through Zoom-based group sessions and one-on-one consultations, they will also learn about how to formalize and register their business in San Francisco, locate permit and licensing requirements, and access useful resources. At the end of the 9 weeks, they will be invited to present their business plan to a panel of local business leaders, experts, and potential funders.

We are looking for entrepreneurs who have a strong connection with the Leather Community and SOMA. They should:
1. Plan to set up a storefront in the SOMA area or start a business catering to the Leather Community,
2. Plan to sell their products or provide their services in SOMA either at a permanent location or through popup locations such as a street fair, or
3. Plan to sell their products or provide their services through other existing stores in SOMA that cater to the Leather Community.

All participants who complete the program will receive a $500 stipend to help with their startup costs.

To learn more and apply to join our next cohort please visit https://sfleatherdistrict.org/business/