Joanna Martinez is an award winning business owner and the force behind the soon-to-be-launched learning series Disruption University. Her book, A Guide to Positive Disruption, focuses on her experiences working though the ups and downs of the corporate world to make positive changes at the companies for which she has worked. Joanna is recognized as a global procurement and supply chain leader, providing a range of services to management and employees. Her clients range from Fortune 50 companies to technology startups, and last year, she was named #9 on the list of Top 20 Global Procurement Influencers by Thinkers360.

Donovan Holden enjoys putting the music into the world knowing that people will hear his voice and feel his spirit. He loves getting the feedback from his listeners. He comes from a south Florida musical background and started writing songs in junior high school and has continued throughout the years. He loves to write music and started using samples and digital instruments to write and produce Blues Rock/R&B Jazz music. Since then he has released two albums, produced by Patty Sanders. What makes Donovan Holden different? Aside from his passion towards music, his harmonic imagination and his way of using more interesting chord changes are what sets him apart from the other songwriters.

Noam Kotucki creates spaces for magic to happen. He does this through his coaching practice where he has already coached over 25,000 people lead more purpose driven lives. Among his successes, he helped fellow entrepreneur, Patryk Wezowski raise over $500,000 in startup funds in less than two months, and supported Ether Perel deliver the 30th most viewed TED Talk. As a university dropout, he has surprised himself when his first book became required reading at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, earning the UK Business Speaker of the Year runner up award, and receiving an honorary degree in Business from Hofstra University.

Derrick Reyes is the Co-Founder and CEO of Queerly Health. Queerly Health is an online marketplace of LGBTQ+ culturally responsive health and wellness providers, telehealth capabilities, and concierge health services. With a background in LGBTQ+ health, education, and social services, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Derrick knows firsthand how difficult it is for LGBTQ+ people to access basic health related services. They also deeply understand digital health’s potential to create some much needed change.

If you didn’t listen to episode 25, here’s a little background about Rick: He is a well-known culture disruptor (in a good way), “closet buster,” and bad ass bold move strategist. Tapping into his 25 years’ experience in hospitality, technology, branding, marketing, and personal development he’s created a no B.S. approach for success - live your truth with no apologies. As a result, individuals, teams, and organizations embrace his approach, busting out of their suffocating closets to make the bold moves!

Retired U.S. Air Force Captain Mark David Gibson currently works in Communications with the U.S. Small Business Administration, helping entrepreneurs like us build and scale our businesses. Mark has also recently made his debut as an author with his best-selling book, Served in Silence, the Struggle to Live Authentically. His book has launched his speaking business which is centered around the, “Authenticity Alignment 360.” On this week’s episode, we discuss Mark’s book, why he wrote it, and how it has led him to build a successful speaking enterprise.

Ingrid and Shannon recently graduated with their MBAs from Boston University and MIT. Now, they're putting their entrepreneurship education to the test with their new startup Levio, a diverse community of LGBTQ+ travelers who swap homes to feel welcomed and accepted, get relevant recommendations, and save money. Not only are they building a startup together, but they're also building a life together; they've been dating since 2014 and live in Boston's South End with their French Bulldog Stella.

Ellie Anne Dote is founder and owner of EllieGirl Creations, a marketing firm in Fresno, California that specializes in helping small business owners understand their identity as the basis for their entire marketing campaign. With over 25 years of experience in the graphic design industry and 10 years in the website design industry, Ellie uses her design expertise to create powerful user experiences for her clients and their prospective customers. She works with folks all over the country, and by the end of our conversation today, you can learn how to get in touch with her.

Jax Wheatley is the Chief Financial Officer Every Small Business Owner Needs. With over 18 years running their own business, Rainbow Tax & Accounting, Jax loves providing quality, affordable accounting services to individuals, small business, and non-profit organization. When not busy running their own business, Jax dedicates their free time expanding economic opportunities serving as the board treasurer for PABA, Portland’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa Snyder is a Portland-based feminist, the Founder and Co-Creator of Tokeativity, a Cannabis Community for Women, and the owner of Elle*Eye Web Design Consulting. With nearly two decades of entrepreneurial experience, she continues to be recognized for her work in Time Out New York, Go Magazine, Oregon Leaf, PUSH Magazine, CannabisTours.com, Stoner Magazine, The Weed Blog, and Splimm.com, among many others.

Christof is the Founder and CEO at Hornet Networks, the world’s premiere gay social network. Founded in 2011 with the mission to provide gay men the opportunity for meaningful connections, Hornet has grown to 25 million total users, creating a community that comes together around shared experience and common interests. Christoff identifies as a serial software entrepreneur & investor, he serves as the President of the LGBT Foundation, and he lives with his partner of 21 years, Juan, in San Francisco.

In honor of celebrating Trans Day of Visibility, I wanted to highlight some of the many incredible transgender and non-binary entrepreneurs. Over the past 16 months, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some of these incredible out bosses, and on this very special day, I encourage you do give each one of these episodes a listen, especially if you’re seeking inspiration to lead a more authentic, self-actualized life, or if you’re trying to create a business that aligns with your life’s purpose. I promise you’ll walk away inspired to live a life where you can be your authentic selves 100% of the time. After listening to some of these incredible episodes, consider reading through a post I wrote on a few years ago about the intersections of being transgender and an entrepreneur.

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