If you've passed one of Mila's city centre shops in Bristol, you're bound to know about it. The beauty of its stock and the warmth of its décor is sure to have caught your eye.
Branding themselves as a plant, homeware and lifestyle store - Mila bring a little bit of the jungle to Bristol. Their shops are absolutely full to the brim with beautiful greenery, as well as other lovely things; including candles, books and a whole lot more.
And another thing that Mila is full of, is queer pride. Being a queer-run business, Mila forefronts supporting the LGBTQIA+ community amongst all that they do.
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"We are all about gorgeous houseplants, locally made and sustainable homewares and fabulous vibes. We are a queer-owned and operated business and wear that badge with honour. We welcome all into our stores with love and kindness," Mila's owner, Sam McKay told Bristol Live.
Mila is named after Sam's daughter, who was born five years ago. "The store came three years after with just as much screaming and crying," Sam said.
"I began the business in lockdown as I was furloughed from work (and anyone with ADHD will tell you, we don't do well unless we keep ourselves busy). I began the business as an online-only store then within nine months we had opened a store within Cabot. A year later and Park Street has just opened."
Mila has built up a huge presence in Bristol, with both of their shops being ever-popular and equally well loved. They welcome all plant lovers, beginner to expert - understandably making them a go-to.
Staff member Ally says there is no typical day at Mila, telling Bristol Live: "Every day is a little different! Our priority is always our customers - everyone’s got their own levels of plant experience, budgets, and criteria.
"We chat to everyone who comes in, whether or not they’re buying anything. Every single person who walks through our door is our focus, no matter what else is going on.
"We want to know how their day is going, what they’re after, and most importantly, how are they? Other than that, we get fresh orders in to unpack and find homes for on the shelves, some general housekeeping, and emailing our customers and stockists.
"The day can really fly by! We’re on our feet all day long so it can definitely be full-on." But, despite it all, they say it's the most fun they have ever had in a job.
And supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is also part of life at Mila. Team member Gemini said: "Everything that we do as a business has our values at the forefront.
"We fly our pride flags all year round as we’re a proudly queer owned and run business. When choosing the local and small makers that we stock in our shops we carefully select people who match those values with a huge focus on prioritising LGBTQIA+ and marginalised creators."
Ally echoes the same sentiments, telling Bristol Live: "Queerness is at the heart of who we are as individuals, so having that reflected in our store is vital. To be able to fly our Progress flag proudly, to be out in the workplace, and to have our correct names and pronouns used."
"While it’s lovely for our queer staff to be able to feel safe in our shops, I get the most joy out of seeing young queer people visiting us. Many of us remember not having a queer friend group as teenagers, so to see them come in and get excited about pronoun badges and pride stickers always makes my day."
Ally told Bristol Live that the team, as well as making Mila a safe space for queer people, are also always open to helping facilitate learning around queerness for those who may not be members of the LGBTQIA+ community. "When a customer asks what our flag means or picks up some LGBTQIA+ literature, we know we’re fostering positive change in our community."
And for Mila, it's important that Pride Month isn't the only time that the community are celebrated, boldly. Gemini told Bristol Live: "Pride to us is being a safe and inclusive space for our customers and staff.
"We are a people focused business, the majority of our team are LGBTQIA+ and many of our regular customers are too. We want to have a space where people are free to be authentically and unapologetically themselves.
"Speaking from my own experience as a queer trans non binary person I only wish that I’d been able to have that kind of representation when I was younger."
What Pride Month means to Mila
Gemini shared that they believe that during Pride Month many people 'Rainbow Wash', meaning they only support the Queer community during Pride Month and not beyond. They told Bristol Live: "Pride is first and foremost supposed to be a reminder of our history. The first Pride wasn’t cheap rainbow bunting and plastic glitter!
"It was the beginning of a fight for our rights as queer people. So to see companies, that don’t speak up about LGBTQIA+ issues all year round, start to advertise pride products or slap a rainbow on their logo feels like a cheapening of what pride means whilst profiting off the experience of marginalised groups."
Mila's loudness on Pride and their support of the Queer community is something they want to see from businesses', all year round. And, they're setting the example of how to do so.
Mila owner, Sam said: "The biggest thing is representation. We make sure we fly our Pride flags high and allow our staff to be their authentic selves in any way they want.
"We want people to feel represented, for everyone to see that our community is here, is beautiful and is welcoming to all. We also have a wealth of queer-made products for sale in our stores.
"For Pride month this year, we are opening our store as a bit of a marketplace. We've offered (for free), stalls to the LGBTQIA+ community for makers to come in and sell their wares in-store.
"We will also be hosting some workshops and some classes. I saw a quote once - 'a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle'. I think that we have the benefit of high footfall and lots of customers that we can help showcase small indie businesses and help them in their journey."
And Mila also emphasise that everyone can support the LGBTQIA+ community in the way that they do. Sam said: "Buy from small queer businesses - the ones that don’t put away the rainbow flags on July 1.
"Look online for local charities you can donate to that support LGBTQIA+ people (such as akt, Brigstowe, or Freedom Youth). Share (and donate to) trans folks’ gender affirming surgery fundraisers.
"Use people’s correct pronouns (if you’re unsure, just politely ask), and don’t make a big fuss if you get it wrong. Offer your time and be open to learning."
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