We’re using our first episode of Pride Month to showcase one of our former KYC housing youth, Ace (he/him)! At 9-years-old, Ace discovered his entrepreneurial spirit by selling rocks to his neighbors. In middle school, he refined his business tactics by selling chips and candy to his peers (that is, until his teachers told him to stop). Now, at age 19, Ace has started his own all-natural, vegan, nontoxic, organic skincare line, inspired by his mom’s passion for high-quality skincare. On this episode of Speaking Queerly, Mallory and Isiah sit down with Ace to learn more about his experience in KYC’s housing program, the products in his skincare line, the successes and challenges of having his own business and more.Follow Ace’s business on Instagram and TikTok @CovetConcoctions, and you can purchase Covet Concoctions body butters, scrubs, candles and more at www.covetconcoctions.comRead more about Ace and Covet Concoctions here: https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2023/04/04/ine-this-19-year-old-ohio-lgbtq-entrepreneur-went-from-survive-to-thrive/Have a question you want answered or a topic you’d like discussed on Speaking Queerly? Send an email to [email protected].KYC Youth Center is the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, KYC works to provide safer spaces, programming, and leadership opportunities so that youth can be free to explore who they are and empowered to become their confident, truest self. Learn more at www.kycohio.org, and follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @KYCOhio. If you like what you hear, and want to support the continued development of Speaking Queerly, send us a donation at kycohio.org/donate.