BELLA Boss: June 2025 Pride Issue
By Lynette Barbieri + Alexis Lombardo
Success in business demands ambition, resolve, determination, and a relentless pursuit of goals. Here, we highlight successful entrepreneurs whose remarkable accomplishments demonstrate the importance of self-belief and daring leaps of faith. If you’re looking to reshape your career journey, let their achievements inspire you to carve your path to success.
M. Roman
Babylon, New York
Babylon Village Pride INC
Prideofbabylon.org
What Pride Means
Pride for me is owning who you are and walking in your truth. Living your most authentic life without having to apologize for just existing.
How to Be a Better Ally
It's not just about donating to the cause, make space for a queer person to feel comfortable around you and in some scenarios, uncomfortable situations. I'm not saying you have to go out and fight for our rights every pride event, but remember helping us feel safe and seen is needed 365 days, not just in the month of June. Start small, and do it at your own pace, but most importantly, do it!
Advice for LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurs
Strategize, align yourself with the right people, do it with a pure heart and intention. Things are always going to be difficult but if you truly believe in your project, back it up with all the passion you can. Believing in your dream is a 24/7 job on your part, so no days off.
Crowd Photos: Ava Mckeown. Scholarship Photos: Ed Bell.
Christa Dias
Photography: Naomi Hopkins
Atlanta, GA
Wholesome Hippy / Co-Owner
WholesomeHippy.com
What Pride Means
Pride means visibility with purpose. It’s about showing the next generation that you can be gay, successful, loved, and living fully—without shrinking to make others comfortable. We’re the proof that it gets better, and that you can build a life that’s joyful, whole, and yours.
How to Be a Better Ally
Listen with the intent to understand, not respond. Show up beyond the hashtags and holidays. Being an ally means standing beside us when it's easy—and especially when it’s not.
Advice for LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurs
Start scared. Start scrappy. Just start. The world needs what only you can create. Don’t wait for permission—build the thing and let your story be the blueprint for someone else’s courage.
Photography: Matt Marcheski
Los Angeles, CA
Entrepreneur, Content Creator, and Actress.
@kelsiidaviess
What Pride Means
Pride means freedom to be your most authentic self, to spread love and acceptance, and embrace who you are to your core!
How to Be a Better Ally
I feel like people are quick to judge without actually talking to people who are in the LGBTQIA+ community. A good way to become a better ally is to be more open-minded, and to support the community by using your voice. It’s important to not be afraid of judgment.
Advice for LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurs
Make your business an extension of who you are. Don't be afraid to think outside the box or make it unique. Make sure it is something you are passionate about and really believe in with your whole heart and soul. Know that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Marianna Di Regolo + Cat Perez
Photography: Cameron Falco
Sacramento, California
Famm Connect
Marianna Di Regolo: Co-Founder and CMO
Cat Perez: Co-Founder and CEO
HeyFamm.com/famm-connect
What Pride Means
Pride means showing up in a world that’s actively trying to erase us. For us, it’s not just a celebration, it’s about resistance. At a time when our rights are under attack and our communities are being targeted, Pride is a reminder that queer people have always existed, we belong everywhere, including in business, leadership, and tech, and we reject conformity.
How to Be a Better Ally
The most meaningful allyship happens when people move beyond statements and into action. That means taking real steps to protect and support LGBTQ+ people—especially now, as our rights are being stripped away. Instead of voting for the person who will attack us because you want cheaper eggs, vote for the person that will protect us. Amplify queer voices, supporting LGBTQ+ owned businesses, boycott companies that fund anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and speaking up even when it’s uncomfortable. Sponsor events beyond pride month. Create inclusive policies and provide inclusive benefits to your LGBTQ+ employees. Show up even when it's hard.
Advice for LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurs
Turn to your community for support. So many of us are used to doing things alone, but you don’t have to. There are so many LGBTQ+ founders, friends, and chosen family who want to lift one another up. There are also apps like Famm Connect that are built by and for the queer professional community. Good business is built on trust and relationships and if there's anything we know about the queer community, it's that we can rally and we can show up for one another. We are no strangers to mutual aid, community organizing, and collective support. It's been our power and will continue to be despite the hate.
