In partnership with Fusion Saint John and Envision Saint John, Chroma NB is bringing you a groundbreaking initiative designed to support and empower 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, self-employed artists, and creatives in the Saint John region. We would like to thank Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada for supporting this impactful work through the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Fund.
Workshop Series
This workshop series is about bringing together regional 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and creatives of all kinds to build skills needed to succeed. Each month, a different guest facilitator will host a workshop to provide expertise and skill-building opportunities to help you on your journey.
Upcoming Workshops
Naisola Letoya (she/her)
E-Commerce: Basics & Beyond
Jan 14th, 12PM-1:30PM, Virtual Workshop
Naisola Letoya, founder of Manyanat Inc., is a South African-born, Moncton-based entrepreneur with Maasai roots. Delivering tailored marketing solutions for small and medium businesses, Manyanat uses creative digital tools to help their clients. This workshop will cover a range of topics including an introduction to eCommerce, product strategy, and digital marketing.
→ See more info and register
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Check back for new workshops!
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Check back for new workshops!
Previous Workshops
Elizabeth Murphy (she/her)
The Bloom Funding Formula
In this workshop, Elizabeth offered in-depth advice on prospecting, getting investment-ready, creating your go-to business documents, building relationships with investors, and positioning your venture for funding.
CJ Norris (he/him)
The Confidence Lab
Help for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs to level-up their public speaking and conversational abilities. From exhibitions, to conferences, and even coffee meetings, carrying yourself with clarity and confidence can fully shift how you feel about yourself, and how you’re perceived.
Rae Hill (they/them)
Gender-Expansive Work Attire
Help with finding your style outside the binary, advocating for gender-affirming workplace policies, and more involving ethical fashion, trans business, and gender-affirming gear.
Katie Buckley (she/her)
Grant Writing For Artists Q&A
“Ask Me Anything” for 2SLGBTQI+ artists, craftspeople, musicians, and other creatives looking to get assistance with grant writing to elevate their business/entrepreneurship.
Julia Wright (she/her)
Media Training
In this workshop, Julia covered topics such as how to pitch to different types of outlets, how to give a quality interview, and do’s & don’ts of press releases.
PJay Fortin-Daigle (any pronouns)
Bilingual Accounting Workshop
Pascale Joëlle is a gender-fluid, non-binary transmasculine person. This workshop will cover areas such as tracking income & expenses, invoicing basics, getting paid and managing cash flow, and more!
Sochi Azuh (he/him)
Marketing and Brand Storytelling Workshop
Sochi is a communications strategist, storytelling coach, and host of the Lead with Storytelling podcast. He helps mission-driven leaders craft compelling, human-centred narratives that drive connection, clarity, and change. This workshop covered areas such as strategic storytelling foundations, story-led communications, storytelling in marketing, and communicating impact.
Abigail Herrington (she/her)
Employment Law Workshop
Nov. 25th, 12PM-1PM, Envision SJ
Abigail is a labour, employment, and regulatory lawyer at McInnes Cooper in Saint John. This workshop gives you the legal basics to help protect your business and support your workforce. Designed for small business owners and startups, it covers five critical areas of employment law using real-life examples.
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One-on-One Consultations
If you would like to book a free virtual one-on-one consultation session with one of our hosts, please email our Program Manager at sam.delduca@chromanb.ca or fill out this form.
Consultants
Naisola Letoya (she/her)
Founder – Manyanat
Naisola Letoya, founder of Manyanat, is a South African-born, Moncton-based entrepreneur with Maasai roots. With a background in international relations and media communications, she channels her lived experience as a queer immigrant into building inclusive, community-driven ventures.
Launched in 2024, Manyanat Inc. delivers tailored marketing solutions for small and medium businesses, using growth hacking, data analysis, and creative digital tools to help clients scale. Rooted in Maasai traditions of collective building, the company emphasizes collaboration and cultural authenticity.
Passionate about representation, Naisola champions queer and immigrant talent, fosters sustainable growth, and continues shaping Atlantic Canada’s business
ecosystem with authenticity and resilience.
Naisola can advise members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ business community on a range of topics, including:
➤ Introduction to eCommerce
➤ Different types of online stores
➤ Product Strategy
➤ Digital Marketing
➤ Sales and Conversion Optimization
➤ Logistics and Fulfillment
➤ Analytics and Growth
CJ Norris (he/him)
Founder – Creative Juiceworks
CJ Norris is a multi-disciplinary performing artist, theatre creator, arts facilitator, and event host based in Moncton, NB.
CJ can offer coaching to members of the regional 2SLGBTQI+ business community on a variety of topics including:
➤ Negotiating your worth as a creative professional
➤ Self-promotion
➤ Self-confidence
➤ Public speaking and conversational skills
➤ Audience engagement
➤ Event/project planning
➤ Stage presence
Dr. Gemma Marr, PhD (she/her)
Coordinator – Lorenzo Society at UNBSJ
Gemma Marr is a writer and educator based in Saint John/Menaquesk. She has a PhD in English Language and Literature from Carleton University and held a postdoctoral fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in the Department of Historical Studies at UNB (Fredericton) from 2023-2025. Her research and writing interests rest at the intersections of gender and sexuality in Atlantic Canada and she has published in Canadian Literature, Studies in Canadian Literature, the Journal of Canadian Studies, and more.
In January 2025, she began a new role as coordinator of the Lorenzo Society at UNBSJ, an arts and culture organization housed in the Faculty of Arts; she also teaches part-time in the Department of Humanities and Languages (UNBSJ) and is working on a variety of writing projects.
Gemma can advise members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on a range of topics, including:
➤Balancing multiple projects
➤Techniques for time management
➤Project outlining and planning
➤Approaches to publication
➤Securing grants and funding
➤Navigating sole proprietorship
➤Crafting an effective CV and Cover Letter
➤Editing and Revising
Colúm Connolly, PhD (he/him)
Co-CEO – Bloom Funding
An openly bisexual entrepreneur and dedicated community builder, Colúm Connolly has leveraged his extensive governance, policy reform, and leadership experience to drive impactful initiatives across Atlantic Canada. He was the founding Chair of the Alliance of BC Students and served as both VP and President of the Graduate Student Society at UBC, where he led bylaw development and strategic policy reform. Currently, he serves as Chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Saint John Chamber of Commerce, advocating for regional economic growth and strategic policy initiatives. A former board member of the Order of the Wallace McCain Institute, Colúm is deeply connected to entrepreneurial ecosystems in all four Atlantic Provinces. He has successfully transitioned Bloom Funding from a solo consultancy into a dynamic firm, known for its hands-on approach to securing funding, scaling innovations, and amplifying social and environmental impact for clients. Colúm’s strategic mindset, commitment to inclusive growth, and extensive network position him as a key driver of business development and community impact for this project.
Colúm can advise members of the regional 2SLGBTQI+ business community on a variety of topics, including:
➤ Securing funding
➤ Scaling innovations
➤ Amplifying social and environmental impact
➤ Government relations
➤ Board governance
➤ Strategic planning
➤ SRED applications
Rae Hill (they/them)
Founder – Origami Customs
Rae is the founder of Origami Customs, a trans and gender-diverse clothing brand and community program in Montreal. This program operates with a network of over 100 other organizations and provides life-changing items to people facing intersectional oppressions and financial barriers. Rae draws from their background in Sociology, experience in the fashion industry, as well as trans healthcare advocacy work over the past 15 years.
Rae can advise members of the regional 2SLGBTQI+ business community on a range of topics, including:
➤ Navigating branding/social media marketing for queer and trans people
➤ Starting/running a small/ethical/trans integral business
➤ Finding your unique style outside the binary
➤ Dressing for the workplace (gender gear edition)
➤ Binding 101/ choosing a binder/ best practices/ binding vs tape /binder safety
➤ Gaffing 101/ best practices/ choosing a gaff/ gaffing vs tape /gaff safety/ different ways to tuck
➤ Advocating for gender affirming HR/policy/healthcare in your workplace or organization
➤ How to use diverse models in advertising without it being lip service
➤ How to make ethical choices in your fashion consumption
➤ Photographing and using imagery of trans people- how to do it right
Kathleen Buckley, GPC (she/her)
Kathleen Buckley is a grant writer and funding consultant based in Saint John, New Brunswick. She is also the first certified grant professional in Atlantic Canada. She has helped artists and non-profits secure over $2.7 million in grant funding. Her focus is on Arts organizations and those serving 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Kathleen can offer grant writing and grant strategy advice to members of the regional 2SLGBTQI+ business and creative communities, for artists and creatives of all career levels.
Free one-on-one consultation sessions with Katie are all booked up.
Project Partners:
Project funded by:
