The Out Entrepreneur | Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work | Conversations with Leading LGBTQ Bosses

Nabill Idrisi studied math, computer science, and Chinese at Stanford University and previously worked at the United Nations Global Compact. Realizing he had a deeper calling, he left the comfortable and familiar four years ago to purse his own adventures. He has been excavating family history, the journey around which has taken him to India and Germany. Moreover, his written travel reflections form Bangladesh, Palestine, and Germany have been published in the Huffington Post, Jaggery, and Muftah. As the founder of Nabill Idrisi Coaching, he works with fellow wanderers to create adventurous, passionate, and productive lives. Learn more about his belief that through healing yourself, you can heal the world on this latest episode of The Out Entrepreneur!

Annie is a business coach, consultant, author, and passionate serial entrepreneur. She identifies as a proud Spudder from Ridgefield, Washington, and is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Annie has more than 16 years of experience as a small business owner, and has extensive experience with workplace strategic development, brand management, and marketing among may other talents. I had the pleasure of meeting Annie at the world's first ever Podcast (Un)conference last year in Portland, Oregon. Annie will be releasing her first book, The ‘E’ Word – Struggles of a Minority Woman Entrepreneur (THIS IS NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK) later this year. This episode is for anyone seeking guidance on how to unapologetically be themselves in the world.

James is a survivor of a childhood riddled with domestic violence and alcoholism in the rural foothills of southern Virginia. Today, James serves as the founder & CEO of the award winning firm Excel Global Partners (EGP), an executive consulting firm. He founded the company in 2007 and has since led successful engagements in 15 countries and in more than 20 states. He is also about to release his first book, The Purposeful Millionaire, a guidebook featuring 52 rules that teaches people about mastering the millionaire mindset and getting the most out of life–doing more, living more, and achieving more!

Karen Peterson is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist providing primary and adjunctive care at GreenThumb Natural Medicine LLC based in Portland Oregon. I had the pleasure of meeting Karen last year through Portland’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, and I know first hand how passionate she is about helping promote the businesses of fellow out bosses. On this week’s episode, it’s Karen’s time to step into the spotlight, and amplify the successes she’s accomplished since starting her business. Karen offers a source of deep inspiration for those aspiring to take the entrepreneurial leap.

After 31 years of working in the corporate America, Stan Kimer retired and started his "encore career" forming Total Engagement Consulting, a diversity and career development consultancy. In the diversity arena, Stan is conversant in all areas of diversity and inclusion, and has deep expertise in the LGBTQ marketplace and workplace. I had the pleasure of meeting Stan through the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), where we discussed many strategies to help workplaces build more inclusive and equitable cultures for LGBTQ employees, customers, and suppliers. Stan offers some excellent advice on this week’s episode about building a business enterprise around your passions, skills, and your target market’s needs.

Ajay Bam is an accomplished serial entrepreneur, educator and innovator with 13+ years of experience building startups with successful exits and launching products with world class brands in areas of e-commerce, digital payments and mobile marketing. He currently serves as the co-founder and CEO of Vyrill.com, and I had the pleasure of meeting him through StartOut, a vibrant network of dedicated LGBTQ entrepreneurs and supporters who care deeply about expanding economic opportunities to LGBTQ people. On this episode, Ajay offers insights of how he has brought his authentic self to his work, and how he is committed to building an inclusive workplace for his colleagues. Be sure to check out a very special offer Ajay is providing for listeners to this episode in the show notes!

Jacob Levine is the founder of a software startup called Chorus Connection, a company that builds technology making it easy for choirs to manage all aspects of their organization in a single place, from their membership directory and calendar to attendance and dues. I was fortunate to connect with Jacob through StartOut, a vibrant network of dedicated LGBTQ entrepreneurs and supporters. During this conversation, Jacob shares why he established his business values centered around passion, fun, and authenticity. He also talks about the importance of finding mentors further along the entrepreneurship path to offer support and guidance.

Laura Laban is the Co-Founder & CEO of Flying Development Studio. After six years of working in the tech industry, she broke out on her own and turned her side hustle into her full time job – developing a flight simulator software program, called Infinite Flight. I was fortunate to connect with Laura through StartOut, a vibrant network of dedicated LGBTQ entrepreneurs and supporters. During this conversation, Laura shares how she developed a successful business enterprise all while managing coming out as transgender last year. On this episode, Laura gets vulnerable and shares some valuable insights on how to navigate the challenges of transitioning on the job, all while maintaining a thriving business.

Jonathan Lovitz is a Senior Vice President at the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), as well as the Director of the New York LGBT and Allied Business Network of NGLCC. I had the pleasure of connecting with Jonathan at the NGLCC leadership conference last year, and learned first hand how his work and the work of the NGLCC is helping nearly 1,000 LGBTQ-owned businesses thrive. In this special episode, Jonathan shares fresh findings from the ground breaking report, America’s LGBT Economy, and offers several secrets as to why out bosses should consider getting their businesses certified with the NGLCC.

Devra Polack is the founder and Creative Director of Spinster Design, a tech consulting and creative digital services firm specializing in web, mobile and print applications. Spinster Design basically helps your agency or small business find the best technical solutions to match your needs, and then executes with expertise and passion. Devra is an out boss based in Portland, Oregon, and I had the pleasure of learning from her 15 years of experience running Spinster Design. In this episode, Devra offers a ton of knowledge gems for those aspiring and current out bosses. Check out the show, and prepare to be dazzled by Devra’s brilliance!