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

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 R. Nowlin 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!

James R. Nowlin 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.

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.

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!

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.