Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

Hello, my name is Ailsa, founder of Drag Me. In my entrepreneurial journey, every venture tells a story of inspiration, challenges, and determination. As the creator of Drag Me, a non-binary-owned digital platform celebrating drag culture, my journey reflects this sentiment. From being captivated by drag performances at a young age to noticing the need for a centralized hub for drag events as an adult, my passion for drag culture deepened. This drive fueled my determination to create change, resulting in the birth of Drag Me—a platform dedicated to celebrating drag culture and promoting inclusivity within the LGBTQ2S+ community. After moving to Toronto from the UK and then to Vancouver in 2021, I missed the vibrant drag scene I had left behind. Despite my best efforts to find local events, I encountered frustration due to the lack of a unified platform to discover and connect with the drag community. This inspired me to establish Drag Me—an online space where drag enthusiasts can unite, interact, and revel in their mutual passion for drag culture. The drag performance industry is ready for innovation, with a clear need for a platform that seamlessly connects fans and performers. By addressing challenges such as fragmented information and difficult event discovery, Drag Me aims to revolutionize the drag scene. Our platform enhances community engagement, exposes fans to a wider variety of performances, and provides equal growth opportunities for all artists, regardless of their fame or TV exposure. At Drag Me, we are passionate about creating an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and supported. By connecting local talent with internationally renowned performers, Drag Me enhances community engagement and supports the growth of the drag art form. We are committed to fostering inclusivity within the LGBTQ2S+ community, promoting visibility and empowerment through our platform. Investing in Drag Me means investing in the future of drag entertainment and joining us in celebrating the diverse talents and stories within the drag community. Together, we can create a vibrant, connected community that celebrates the art of drag and champions equality for all.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

At Drag Me, community support is the heartbeat of our mission. Beyond building a platform, we're cultivating a vibrant community centered on inclusivity and celebration. Through our strong presence on social media, we've established online spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to share their passion. Our Facebook community boasts 2,300 members, while our Instagram family includes 12,700 followers, and we engage with 93 professionals on LinkedIn. On TikTok, our 8,800 followers join us in spreading joy and creativity, amplifying our message globally. We've already forged partnerships with 83 local drag artists, and our beta signup list of 350 reflects the anticipation for our platform. These metrics not only illustrate our reach but also signify the heartbeat of our movement—fueled by love, acceptance, and community spirit. Supporting the LGBTQ2S+ community and local vendors is integral to our mission. We educate, advocate, and listen to clients, partners, and vendors, fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration. Our social platforms serve as educational tools, raising awareness on pertinent issues and promoting local drag events in Vancouver. We collaborate with businesses that share our values, ensuring our platform is accessible and inclusive for all. Our leadership extends beyond business relationships; it's about empowering our community. We provide drag partnerships with educational resources, marketing support, and a platform to showcase their talent. By listening to feedback and actively involving our partners in decision-making, we cultivate a supportive environment where every voice matters. As we continue to celebrate drag culture and advocate for equality, Drag Me remains committed to fostering a future where everyone feels valued and empowered. Together, we're building more than a platform—we're shaping a movement that embraces diversity and champions inclusivity in every form.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

To win the Business Impact award, Drag Me stands ready to make a profound impact on the drag community, especially during a time when our community faces increased scrutiny and challenges. With the $5,000 award, our immediate focus will be on expanding our footprint across North America and here in Vancouver, BC, while enhancing our understanding of the unique needs of drag artists and the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community. We are committed to allocating a portion of the funds to support emerging drag artists in Vancouver's LGBTQ+ community and key drag hubs, fostering inclusivity and resilience within diverse drag communities. By investing in comprehensive user research initiatives, we will ensure our platform evolves to better serve our community, enhancing user experience and fostering sustainable growth. At Drag Me, we prioritize inclusivity and authenticity, creating a workplace and platform where individuals can bring their full selves. Our leadership's anti-burnout ethos and sustainable work practices reflect our commitment to supporting underrepresented groups in the drag industry. Winning this award will not only amplify our platform's voice through targeted marketing initiatives but also raise awareness of Drag Me's mission—a space where everyone is welcome to express themselves freely. With our community's support, we will continue to educate and advocate for acceptance and equality, standing up against adversity and championing the voices of the marginalized. Now, more than ever, the drag community needs our support and recognition. Winning this award will enable us to strengthen our efforts in creating a more inclusive world where everyone can thrive. We are ready to lead this charge and make a lasting impact.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

At Drag Me, our culture is built on a foundation of inclusivity and support for underrepresented groups in the industry. In just under six months, our team has expanded from one person to seven, all passionately dedicated to our vision. We’ve bootstrapped the app's development, infusing every line of code and design with our hearts. We emphasize creating an environment where employees can bring their authentic selves to work, fostering a space where diversity and individuality are celebrated. We ensure a sustainable and healthy workplace through our flexible work policies. Drag Me offers a four-day workweek, remote-first work arrangements and flexible working hours. This approach not only promotes work-life balance but also enhances sustainability by reducing the need for commuting and office space. Our leadership is committed to maintaining an anti-burnout ethos, providing appropriate workloads and emphasizing task completion over rigid schedules. This approach allows our team members to manage their time effectively and maintain their well-being. Leadership at Drag Me is exemplified through our interactions with our clients, vendors, contractors, staff, and the broader community. We actively support students and graduates, providing them with opportunities to gain experience and contribute to a culture where everyone feels welcome. We trust our employees to complete their work without micromanaging, creating a safe space for underserved communities and always putting people before profits. We hold weekly meetings to collaborate and ensure that everyone's voices are heard, fostering a healthy and supportive workplace. Our commitment to inclusivity extends to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, where we work closely with local vendors, clients, and stakeholders to create a welcoming environment for all. We provide leadership by educating, speaking up and listening to our clients, partners, and vendors. Our partnerships with various drag artists and organizations involve offering education, leadership, marketing support, and collaboration on ideas. At Drag Me, we are unwavering in our mission to celebrate drag culture and promote inclusivity. Our sustainable, remote-first workplace with a four-day workweek and flexible hours reflects our commitment to creating a healthy environment where everyone is welcome, supported, and can thrive authentically.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

At Drag Me, we're on a mission to revolutionize how we celebrate and support drag artists across North America, starting right here in Vancouver, BC. Winning the Premier’s People’s Choice Award isn't just about recognition; it's a chance to amplify our impact and empower our community on a larger scale. When you vote for Drag Me, you're voting for inclusivity and empowerment. Your support will fuel our efforts to expand our reach and deepen our understanding of the drag community's needs. We're committed to fostering an environment where every drag artist can thrive, where their voices are heard, and their talents are celebrated. With this award, we'll strategically invest in key drag hubs, supporting emerging artists and creating opportunities for them to shine. Your vote will help us continue to refine our platform through extensive user research, ensuring that Drag Me remains a valuable resource for both artists and fans alike. By tailoring our offerings to meet the community's expectations, we can enhance the overall user experience and foster a stronger sense of belonging. Beyond business growth, winning this award will enable us to advocate for the importance of drag culture in Vancouver and beyond. It's about creating a platform where fans can connect with their favorite artists, where artists can showcase their talents, and where everyone can come together in celebration of creativity and expression. Your vote isn't just a vote for Drag Me; it's a vote for a more inclusive world. Together, let's continue to support and uplift the drag community, celebrating diversity and creating spaces where everyone can be their authentic selves. Join us in making a difference—vote for Drag Me and help us lead the charge towards a brighter future for drag artistry.