San Francisco’s “Three Babes Bakeshop” Rises as a Beacon for LGBTQ Entrepreneurs

Three Babes Bakeshop, a San Francisco-based, lesbian-owned bakery, is making headlines this week after being recognized by the SF LGBT Community Center’s New Entrepreneur Training Program for its significant contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility and economic empowerment in the Bay Area. The bakery, founded by Anna Derivi-Castellanos and Lenore Estrada, has become an emblem of resilience and innovation, demonstrating how LGBTQ-owned businesses can thrive with the right support systems in place .

Three Babes Bakeshop began as a modest pie business operating out of a rented kitchen in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. Its founders, both queer women, saw an opportunity not only to serve delicious desserts but to create a welcoming and affirming space for LGBTQ+ customers and staff. Early on, they faced the typical challenges of small business ownership—limited access to capital, navigating city permits, and building a client base in a competitive food landscape. What set their journey apart was their intentionality in cultivating a business that reflected and supported the values of inclusivity, sustainability, and community care .

Recognizing the need for guidance and peer support, Derivi-Castellanos and Estrada enrolled in the SF LGBT Community Center’s New Entrepreneur Training Program. This initiative, according to Center staff, offers comprehensive training in business planning, financial literacy, and marketing—resources that are often less accessible to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs due to systemic discrimination and underrepresentation in traditional business networks .

“Having a dedicated resource that understands the unique challenges LGBTQ business owners face made all the difference,” said Estrada in a recent interview. The Center not only provided technical assistance but also fostered connections to other LGBTQ-owned businesses, creating a supportive ecosystem that has helped Three Babes Bakeshop weather economic downturns and the lasting impact of the pandemic .

Three Babes Bakeshop is now celebrated not just for its pies but for its broader influence on the local business community. The bakery employs a diverse staff, prioritizing LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups in its hiring practices. It has also become a platform for fundraising and advocacy, regularly supporting LGBTQ youth programs and participating in Pride events across San Francisco .

In a climate where LGBTQ-owned businesses can face unique obstacles—including lack of access to traditional financing, discriminatory regulations, and social stigma—the success of Three Babes Bakeshop exemplifies what is possible when institutional support is available. A recent report by New Jersey Business Magazine highlighted that LGBTQ+ business owners nationwide often feel overlooked in political and economic discussions despite their significant contributions to local economies . The experiences of Three Babes Bakeshop offer a counter-narrative: with focused support and community investment, LGBTQ entrepreneurship can flourish.

The renewed spotlight on Three Babes Bakeshop comes at a time of heightened visibility and ongoing challenges for LGBTQ business owners. Across the United States, LGBTQ entrepreneurs continue to face legal and social hurdles, including the proliferation of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation that can impact both employees and customers . Business leaders like Derivi-Castellanos and Estrada are increasingly vocal in advocating for policies that protect LGBTQ workers’ rights and ensure access to affirming spaces.

The SF LGBT Community Center’s New Entrepreneur Training Program is cited as a model for similar initiatives nationwide, offering mentorship, financial education, and networking tailored to the needs of the LGBTQ community. Its alumni, including Three Babes Bakeshop, demonstrate the multiplier effect such programs can have—not only enabling individual success but also seeding a more inclusive and resilient local economy .

Community members and customers of Three Babes Bakeshop describe the bakery as more than a business—it is a gathering place and a symbol of hope. “Knowing that a business like this exists, that it’s openly lesbian-owned and supports queer youth, makes a huge difference for people like me,” said one patron during a recent Pride month celebration .

The bakery’s founders have also used their platform to speak out against anti-LGBTQ legislation, participating in local panels and national discussions on the importance of safe workplaces and economic equity for LGBTQ people . Their advocacy is grounded in lived experience: “We’ve seen firsthand how discrimination can cut people off from opportunity. By building a business that is unapologetically queer and values-driven, we hope to inspire others to do the same,” said Derivi-Castellanos.

Three Babes Bakeshop’s story offers a blueprint for LGBTQ business success grounded in community support, intentionality, and advocacy. As more cities and organizations replicate the SF LGBT Community Center’s approach, the hope is that economic opportunity and visibility for LGBTQ entrepreneurs will continue to expand.

With its renewed spotlight, Three Babes Bakeshop is expected to remain at the forefront of conversations about LGBTQ economic empowerment, serving both as a beloved bakery and a testament to the possibilities that arise when marginalized communities are equipped with the resources they need to thrive .