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

Alyssa Emerson is the Founder of Come Along, a travel agency for people ready to move beyond their comfort zones, and experience the things in life they've always wanted (but maybe were too scared to do alone). Alyssa believes the world would be a much better - and happier - place if more people travelled, experienced different cultures, and reconnected with their younger selves. Her company helps her actualize this belief every day.

Katie Lane is an attorney and negotiation coach who helps creators protect their rights and get paid fairly for their work. Her clients include comics creators, game designers, authors, illustrators, and musicians. Basically, if you make stuff, you’re Katie’s kind of client. Her loves include teaching people how to negotiate, reading contracts with a red pen, bow ties, and Star Trek. 

Katie Lane is an attorney and negotiation coach who helps creators protect their rights and get paid fairly for their work. Her clients include comics creators, game designers, authors, illustrators, and musicians. Basically, if you make stuff, you're Katie's kind of client. Her loves include teaching people how to negotiate, reading contracts with a red pen, bow ties, and Star Trek.

Norma Jeanne Maloney is the founder of Red Rider Studios, where she hones her skills as a sign painter and muralist. With three decades of painting experience, she works closely with clients from small brick and mortar stores to tech titans like FaceBook. Norma Jean started her business when it seemed like everyone else had quit. Hand painted everything is what allows her business to offer a unique service for her clients. Today she has one of the most successful sign painting studios in the country, where she leads an industry now in a renaissance.

Norma Jeanne Maloney is the founder of Red Rider Studios, where she hones her skills as a sign painter and muralist. With three decades of painting experience, she works closely with clients from small brick and mortar stores to tech titans like FaceBook. Norma Jean started her business when it seemed like everyone else had quit. Hand painted everything is what allows her business to offer a unique service for her clients. Today she has one of the most successful sign painting studios in the country, where she leads an industry now in a renaissance.

Jessica Pettitt, M.Ed., CSP, pulls together her stand-up comedy years with 15+ years of diversity training's in a wide range of organizations to serve groups to move from abstract fears to actionable habits that lead teams to want to work together. With a sense of belonging and understanding, colleagues take more risks with their ideation, conserve precious resources through collaboration, and maintain real connections with clients over time.

Jessica Pettitt, M.Ed., CSP, pulls together her stand-up comedy years with 15+ years of diversity training's in a wide range of organizations to serve groups to move from abstract fears to actionable habits that lead teams to want to work together. With a sense of belonging and understanding, colleagues take more risks with their ideation, conserve precious resources through collaboration, and maintain real connections with clients over time.

Bernadette Smith is the Founder and President of the Equality Institute, and an award-winning author of three books. She’s a long-time friend of the show, and kicked off the very first episode of The Out Entrepreneur in December, 2016. On today’s show, you have the opportunity to learn from a seasoned entrepreneur who shares some of the challenges and blessings of being your own boss. If you’ve ever thought about taking the entrepreneurial leap, start here, start out, and stay true to being your authentic self 100% of the time!

Bernadette Smith is the Founder and President of the Equality Institute, and an award-winning author of three books. She's a long-time friend of the show, and kicked off the very first episode of The Out Entrepreneur in December, 2016. On today's show, you have the opportunity to learn from a seasoned entrepreneur who shares some of the challenges and blessings of being your own boss. If you've ever thought about taking the entrepreneurial leap, start here, start out, and stay true to being your authentic self 100% of the time!

Thomas Sanchez, CEO + Founder of Social Driver, a business providing website, social media, and digital advertising solutions to global clients including Honda, Salesforce.com, and the American Heart Association. Thomas has been credited as one of the “most innovative people in Washington, DC” and a top “minority business leader” by the Washington Business Journal. His company’s collaborative culture and cutting-edge strategies have been featured in media appearances on CBS, the BBC, The Wall Street Journal, and now, The Out Entrepreneur.