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

Enrico Frezza, is the Founder and CEO of Peace Out Skincare. His goal was to develop the first-ever skin care product to fight acne while healing the skin. After three years of tireless research and 14 prototypes later, Peace Out Acne was born and recruited into an exclusive partnership with Sephora. From its home base in San Francisco, Peace Out continues to exemplify a new generation of companies, with a team that works tirelessly to bring state-of-the-art skincare to its community. By giving a facelift to one of the most clinical and sterile categories in skincare, Peace Out has forever disrupted the industry and will remain the go-to band-aid for skin imperfections.

Enrico Frezza, is the Founder and CEO of Peace Out Skincare. His goal was to develop the first-ever skin care product to fight acne while healing the skin. After three years of tireless research and 14 prototypes later, Peace Out Acne was born and recruited into an exclusive partnership with Sephora. From its home base in San Francisco, Peace Out continues to exemplify a new generation of companies, with a team that works tirelessly to bring state-of-the-art skincare to its community. By giving a facelift to one of the most clinical and sterile categories in skincare, Peace Out has forever disrupted the industry and will remain the go-to band-aid for skin imperfections.

Dr. Aimee Harris-Newon is a double board certified integrative and interventional psychologist, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and master success coach. She's considered an expert in integrative health and believes in a holistic approach-treating the body and the mind. As the founder and director of The Center for Integrative and Functional Health and Wellness, Dr. Aimee Harris-Newon and her team of experts don't just treat symptoms, they solve health problems and change lives. She and her team have worked with major brands including FedEx, UPS, McDonald's Red Bull, and the U.S. Army. You can find Dr. Aimee speaking at Harvard and on ABC, NBC, and FOX when she's not busy hosting her popular radio show, Mind Over Matters on AM 820.

Dr. Aimee Harris-Newon is a double board certified integrative and interventional psychologist, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and master success coach. She's considered an expert in integrative health and believes in a holistic approach-treating the body and the mind. As the founder and director of The Center for Integrative and Functional Health and Wellness, Dr. Aimee Harris-Newon and her team of experts don't just treat symptoms, they solve health problems and change lives. She and her team have worked with major brands including FedEx, UPS, McDonald's Red Bull, and the U.S. Army. You can find Dr. Aimee speaking at Harvard and on ABC, NBC, and FOX when she's not busy hosting her popular radio show, Mind Over Matters on AM 820.

Anna DeShawn is a seasoned media professional and the founder of E3 Radio, a 24/7, 365 day media production company that amplifies the stories and music of Black, Brown, and Queer folks. When Anna isn't busy building her business, she dedicates her time to serving her communities. Currently she serves as Board President for Affinity Community Services, a social justice organization serving the needs of Black LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago with a particular focus on Black women. She also serves on the communication team for the Church within a Church Movement.

Anna DeShawn is a seasoned media professional and the founder of E3 Radio, a 24/7, 365 day media production company that amplifies the stories and music of Black, Brown, and Queer folks. When Anna isn't busy building her business, she dedicates her time to serving her communities. Currently she serves as Board President for Affinity Community Services, a social justice organization serving the needs of Black LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago with a particular focus on Black women. She also serves on the communication team for the Church within a Church Movement.

Andy McNeill is a travel and hospitality entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. He is the CEO and founder of American Meetings, Inc., an industry leading meetings and events agency that produces thousands of live and virtual meetings annually for Fortune 500 clients. He is also the co-host of the Destination Everywhere Podcast, a top travel and hospitality podcast that highlights bucket-list destinations, luxury hotels, local cuisine, and must-do activities. Andy is a significant voice in the hospitality, meeting and travel industries.

Andy McNeill is a travel and hospitality entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. He is the CEO and founder of American Meetings, Inc., an industry leading meetings and events agency that produces thousands of live and virtual meetings annually for Fortune 500 clients. He is also the co-host of the Destination Everywhere Podcast, a top travel and hospitality podcast that highlights bucket-list destinations, luxury hotels, local cuisine, and must-do activities. Andy is a significant voice in the hospitality, meeting and travel industries.

Ed Hellman is an award­-winning filmmaker and music video director. They are Co-Founder of the video production company PUNCH CARD Films, a 100% queer-owned, Certified LGBTBE®, that turns consumer data into short-form entertainment. Their recent project for Thinc Design and ESRT is on permanent exhibition in the Empire State Building. Ed's music videos have premiered on Vevo, The Fader, Blackbook Media, and Impose Magazine. Their credits as a producer, director, or 1st AD include: TV and web commercials, music videos, digital content, tech/corporate videos, short films, and feature-length TV movies.

Ed Hellman is an award­-winning filmmaker and music video director. They are Co-Founder of the video production company PUNCH CARD Films, a 100% queer-owned, Certified LGBTBE®, that turns consumer data into short-form entertainment. Their recent project for Thinc Design and ESRT is on permanent exhibition in the Empire State Building. Ed's music videos have premiered on Vevo, The Fader, Blackbook Media, and Impose Magazine. Their credits as a producer, director, or 1st AD include: TV and web commercials, music videos, digital content, tech/corporate videos, short films, and feature-length TV movies.

Gena ("Jenna") Jaffe is the Founder of connecting rainbows - a national LGBTQ+ database connecting individuals and families to lawyers who specialize in family formation and estate planning as well as provides fertility resources. The overarching theme is to start, grow + protect your family. As a lawyer, mom and member of the LGBTQ+ community, she saw a huge need for this service after learning that so many people struggled to find lawyers who knew how to handle the specific needs of the community - especially after Amy Coney Barrett was appointed to the Supreme Court.

Gena ("Jenna") Jaffe is the Founder of connecting rainbows - a national LGBTQ+ database connecting individuals and families to lawyers who specialize in family formation and estate planning as well as provides fertility resources.  The overarching theme is to start, grow + protect your family.  As a lawyer, mom and member of the LGBTQ+ community, she saw a huge need for this service after learning that so many people struggled to find lawyers who knew how to handle the specific needs of the community - especially after Amy Coney Barrett was appointed to the Supreme Court.

Lizzy Goddard is a UK-based online business strategist and educator for entrepreneurs. Over her five years in business, she's helped over 9,000 students learn how to do business the easy, fun, and profitable way. She has grown her business to multiple six-figures - all while breaking almost all of the marketing “rules.” She has been featured on multiple podcasts, including The Shift Show and Spinoff Success. She has also served as a guest expert at multiple well-known online summits including Mariah Coz's Icons of Online Courses and Jordan Gill's Done in a Day Interview Series, among others.

Lizzy Goddard is a UK-based online business strategist and educator for entrepreneurs. Over her five years in business, she's helped over 9,000 students learn how to do business the easy, fun, and profitable way. She has grown her business to multiple six-figures - all while breaking almost all of the marketing “rules.” She has been featured on multiple podcasts, including The Shift Show and Spinoff Success. She has also served as a guest expert at multiple well-known online summits including Mariah Coz's Icons of Online Courses and Jordan Gill's Done in a Day Interview Series, among others. 

James, with his utterly impressive 25+ years career, is a beauty maven who is obsessed by achieving absolute perfection. James oversaw several major launches as head of creative services producing the photo shoots and casting for many iconic brands including Clairol, Natural Instincts and REVLON to name just a few. James decided to use his knowledge, experience and talent to help models frustrated by the damage continuously done to their hair with no real solutions in sight -- and set off on a 10-year journey to create the clean, hydrating formulations that are now MASAMI.

James, with his utterly impressive 25+ years career, is a beauty maven who is obsessed by achieving absolute perfection. James oversaw several major launches as head of creative services producing the photo shoots and casting for many iconic brands including Clairol, Natural Instincts and REVLON to name just a few. James decided to use his knowledge, experience and talent to help models frustrated by the damage continuously done to their hair with no real solutions in sight -- and set off on a 10-year journey to create the clean, hydrating formulations that are now MASAMI.

Luis Báez is a business strategist serving entrepreneurs, service providers and course creators, with a particular dedication to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs through his training and coaching. He teaches online business owners how to scale their revenues and impact by creating and selling high-end offers — including coaching, masterminds and memberships. With over 14 years of experience in Sales & Marketing for companies including LinkedIn, Google, Uber and Tesla, Luis brings a breadth of knowledge and experience that spans across Digital Advertising, Software-as-a-Service, and Sustainability with a revenue impact of over $500 Million to date.

Luis Báez is a business strategist serving entrepreneurs, service providers and course creators, with a particular dedication to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs through his training and coaching. He teaches online business owners how to scale their revenues and impact by creating and selling high-end offers — including coaching, masterminds and memberships.  With over 14 years of experience in Sales & Marketing for companies including LinkedIn, Google, Uber and Tesla, Luis brings a breadth of knowledge and experience that spans across Digital Advertising, Software-as-a-Service, and Sustainability with a revenue impact of over $500 Million to date.

Brandi Lai is Founder and Owner of Best Laid Pens, a content strategy, ghostwriting, developmental editing, and consultancy company. Best Laid Pens amplifies the stories of underrepresented and marginalized people who may not have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and lived experiences. As an out transgender woman, Brandi knows the value of having your story told the way you would tell it to a friend. She founded this company to create change and ensure that LGBTQ+ people, and in particular transgender and nonbinary people, have the opportunity and platform to speak their truth.

Brandi Lai is Founder and Owner of Best Laid Pens, a content strategy, ghostwriting, developmental editing, and consultancy company. Best Laid Pens amplifies the stories of underrepresented and marginalized people who may not have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and lived experiences. As an out transgender woman, Brandi knows the value of having your story told the way you would tell it to a friend. She founded this company to create change and ensure that LGBTQ+ people, and in particular transgender and nonbinary people, have the opportunity and platform to speak their truth.

Mike Iamele is a life purpose expert and brand strategist. He's helped hundreds of people connect the dots between their lived experiences, passions and skills to find the common threads – threads that explain their subconscious motivations, unique genius, and life purpose. Mike's also the author of Enough Already: Create Success on Your Own Terms. He's shared his provocative and vulnerable take on life in dozens of magazines, podcasts, and online publications, including a personal interview with NPR about his viral story on rethinking sexuality in his first same-sex relationship.

Mike Iamele is a life purpose expert and brand strategist. He's helped hundreds of people connect the dots between their lived experiences, passions and skills to find the common threads – threads that explain their subconscious motivations, unique genius, and life purpose. Mike's also the author of Enough Already: Create Success on Your Own Terms. He's shared his provocative and vulnerable take on life in dozens of magazines, podcasts, and online publications, including a personal interview with NPR about his viral story on rethinking sexuality in his first same-sex relationship.

Jordyn Pollack is co-owner of Ziggy Naturals based in Austin, TX. His business offers an amazing line of CBD products grown and cultivated in Colorado. The world we live in these days is chaotic, and understandably, as a transgender man, Jordyn experiences a lot of anxiety in certain public situations. He has found CBD products have truly helped him find joy and calm in life. Jordyn shares some of CBD's benefits, along with some of the ups-and-downs of running a family owned business.

Jordyn Pollack is co-owner of Ziggy Naturals based in Austin, TX. His business offers an amazing line of CBD products grown and cultivated in Colorado. The world we live in these days is chaotic, and understandably, as a transgender man, Jordyn experiences a lot of anxiety in certain public situations. He has found CBD products have truly helped him find joy and calm in life. Jordyn shares some of CBD's benefits, along with some of the ups-and-downs of running a family owned business.

Ashley T Brundage is the Founder and President of Empowering Differences. While overcoming homelessness she began employment at a major financial institution as a part time teller who ascended the ranks to become a National Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion in less than 5 years. Through her book and training company she highlights the 10 key empowering actions that she used to leverage change for her career and community. Since beginning gender transition in 2008, she has worked tirelessly to promote awareness and acceptance of transgender and nonbinary people. She serves on GLAAD's National Board of Directors and the NGLCC's Corporate Advisory Council and their Trans+ Inclusion Task Force.

Ashley T Brundage is the Founder and President of Empowering Differences. While overcoming homelessness she began employment at a major financial institution as a part time teller who ascended the ranks to become a National Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion in less than 5 years. Through her book and training company she highlights the 10 key empowering actions that she used to leverage change for her career and community. Since beginning gender transition in 2008, she has worked tirelessly to promote awareness and acceptance of transgender and nonbinary people. She serves on GLAAD's National Board of Directors and the NGLCC's Corporate Advisory Council and their Trans+ Inclusion Task Force.

EB Sanders is a certified career coach and creator of the Career Change with Confidence System. She helps folks just like you think bigger about what they want to show up in the world moving from wondering “what now?” to declaring with confidence “let's do this!” EB's specialty is working with creative types in helping them “find their thing.” EB wants you to be happy in your life & career. In her words, “happy…like belting out Beyonce into your organic loofah in the shower on Monday mornings, happy.”

EB Sanders is a certified career coach and creator of the Career Change with Confidence System. She helps folks just like you think bigger about what they want to show up in the world moving from wondering “what now?” to declaring with confidence “let's do this!” EB's specialty is working with creative types in helping them “find their thing.” EB wants you to be happy in your life & career. In her words, “happy…like belting out Beyonce into your organic loofah in the shower on Monday mornings, happy.”

Kirsten Beverley-Waters is a yoga medicine instructor and the founder of Aiiro Wellness. She is also a fitness coach, an LGBTQIA+ motivational speaker, and author. Her new book, Struggle Guru, dives deep into an exploration of personal experience in order to show that our individual struggles are the key to unlocking our life's purpose. Kirsten's life work is devoted to helping others cultivate their inner warrior and strengthen their resolve.

Kirsten Beverley-Waters is a yoga medicine instructor and the founder of Aiiro Wellness. She is also a fitness coach, an LGBTQIA+ motivational speaker, and author. Her new book, Struggle Guru, dives deep into an exploration of personal experience in order to show that our individual struggles are the key to unlocking our life's purpose. Kirsten's life work is devoted to helping others cultivate their inner warrior and strengthen their resolve.

Dr. Ali Mushtaq is the founder of Getting Wolfie, a consulting firm that empowers market researchers to inclusively collect data while overcoming personal biases. He deliver his consulting services to also help communities within media, journalism, and even for online content creators like podcasters and youtube channel curators. Ali earned his PhD in sociology from UC – SF and his Masters in demography at UC – Irvine. He is currently co-authorizing a book on Black women AIDS activists that will be published by Lexington Press in 2021.

Dr. Ali Mushtaq is the founder of Getting Wolfie, a consulting firm that empowers market researchers to inclusively collect data while overcoming personal biases. He deliver his consulting services to also help communities within media, journalism, and even for online content creators like podcasters and youtube channel curators. Ali earned his PhD in sociology from UC – SF and his Masters in demography at UC – Irvine. He is currently co-authorizing a book on Black women AIDS activists that will be published by Lexington Press in 2021.

Dr. Tim Seelig is an author, conductor, singer, teacher and motivational speaker. He is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and the National LGBTQ+ Center for the Arts. Dr. Seelig is a renaissance man, holding four degrees, authoring numerous best-selling books, and singing opera at places like Carnegie Hall and conducting music at the Lincoln Center over the past 25 years. In this episode we discuss his latest book, Tale of Two Tims, to discover what happens when you stop hiding, and start being your real self.

Dr. Tim Seelig is an author, conductor, singer, teacher and motivational speaker. He is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and the National LGBTQ+ Center for the Arts. Dr. Seelig is a renaissance man, holding four degrees, authoring numerous best-selling books, and singing opera at places like Carnegie Hall and conducting music at the Lincoln Center over the past 25 years. In this episode we discuss his latest book, Tale of Two Tims, to discover what happens when you stop hiding, and start being your real self.

Tyler Hall is the founder of Radically Transformed Coaching. As a Certified Health and Life Coach, he is on a mission to help chronic dieters ditch the diets so they can truly live a happy healthy life. Tyler specializes in transformational coaching methods and utilizes those skills to help people overcome their limiting beliefs that may be holding them back from achieving true success. When he's not working on building his business, you can find Tyler working on his first book, drawing up the blueprints for his tiny house, and day-dreaming about the many places he wishes to travel to in the near future.

Tyler Hall is the founder of Radically Transformed Coaching. As a Certified Health and Life Coach, he is on a mission to help chronic dieters ditch the diets so they can truly live a happy healthy life. Tyler specializes in transformational coaching methods and utilizes those skills to help people overcome their limiting beliefs that may be holding them back from achieving true success. When he's not working on building his business, you can find Tyler working on his first book, drawing up the blueprints for his tiny house, and day-dreaming about the many places he wishes to travel to in the near future.

Heather Cox is a business executive, seminar director, public speaker and tireless advocate for diversity. She co-founded Certify My Company after her own frustrating experiences with certifying her own business. This experience opened her eyes to the challenges facing small, diverse businesses. Today she serves as the President of her company helping diverse business owners increase their visibility in supplier markets.

Heather Cox is a business executive, seminar director, public speaker and tireless advocate for diversity. She co-founded Certify My Company after her own frustrating experiences with certifying her own business. This experience opened her eyes to the challenges facing small, diverse businesses. Today she serves as the President of her company helping diverse business owners increase their visibility in supplier markets.

Charlie Vazquez is a storyteller and consultant with over thirty years' experience as a creative entrepreneur. He has built his business around creation as an author, musician, photographer, cultural producer, and creative writing program director. He studied story craft for over twenty years and has created storytelling programs for the New York Public Library, the New York City Department of Health, the Bronx Council on the Arts, and PEN America, with an emphasis on LGBTQI+ persons, undocumented immigrants, and communities-of-color.

Charlie Vazquez is a storyteller and consultant with over thirty years' experience as a creative entrepreneur. He has built his business around creation as an author, musician, photographer, cultural producer, and creative writing program director. He studied story craft for over twenty years and has created storytelling programs for the New York Public Library, the New York City Department of Health, the Bronx Council on the Arts, and PEN America, with an emphasis on LGBTQI+ persons, undocumented immigrants, and communities-of-color.

Sasha Strong is a non-binary psychotherapist and the founder of Brilliancy Counseling, a private practice based out of Portland OR – and online. Sasha's practice blends their lived experience and training to help their clients find “brilliant sanity” unleashing their innate wisdom and dignity. Sasha also offers trainings in non-binary and transgender cultural competency for counselors, therapists, and other health professionals.

Sasha Strong is a non-binary psychotherapist and the founder of Brilliancy Counseling, a private practice based out of Portland OR – and online. Sasha's practice blends their lived experience and training to help their clients find “brilliant sanity” unleashing their innate wisdom and dignity. Sasha also offers trainings in non-binary and transgender cultural competency for counselors, therapists, and other health professionals.

Tiffany Harris is the founder of Harris Defense, a private criminal defense law practice working in federal court and counties throughout the State of Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law where she secured a fellowship with the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. She worked as an associate attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and as lead staff for the Oregon Senate's Committee on Rules and Elections during the 2005 legislative session. In 2007, she went to Metropolitan Public Defender, and she also served on the legal advisory board of Basic Rights Oregon for ten years. Tiffany enjoys hiking, jogging, and cheering for her beloved Portland Thorns.

Tiffany Harris is the founder of Harris Defense, a private criminal defense law practice working in federal court and counties throughout the State of Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law where she secured a fellowship with the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. She worked as an associate attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and as lead staff for the Oregon Senate's Committee on Rules and Elections during the 2005 legislative session. In 2007, she went to Metropolitan Public Defender, and she also served on the legal advisory board of Basic Rights Oregon for ten years. Tiffany enjoys hiking, jogging, and cheering for her beloved Portland Thorns.

Roey Thorpe offers strategic support for social justice, partnering with philanthropic organizations including the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations and the Arcus Foundation resource social justice movements, as well as advocacy organizations committed to building a better world. She has many years of leadership experience and is known for her success at building (and rebuilding) organizations, as well as for her experience with legislative advocacy and ballot initiative campaigns.

Roey Thorpe offers strategic support for social justice, partnering with philanthropic organizations including the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations and the Arcus Foundation resource social justice movements, as well as advocacy organizations committed to building a better world. She has many years of leadership experience and is known for her success at building (and rebuilding) organizations, as well as for her experience with legislative advocacy and ballot initiative campaigns.

Dr. Vivienne Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. She co-founded Socos Labs, her fifth company, a “mad science incubator.” The think tank is far from “mad” however, as she and her wife provide guidance to clients on how to use AI and neuroscience to enhance hiring practices, the treatment of employees, and better ways to support students. In her free time, Vivienne has invented AI systems to help treat her diabetic son, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers weeks in advance, and reunited orphan refugees with extended family members. She sits on the boards of numerous companies and nonprofits, including an Out Entrepreneur favorite, StartOut.

Dr. Vivienne Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. She co-founded Socos Labs, her fifth company, a “mad science incubator.” The think tank is far from “mad” however, as she and her wife provide guidance to clients on how to use AI and neuroscience to enhance hiring practices, the treatment of employees, and better ways to support students. In her free time, Vivienne has invented AI systems to help treat her diabetic son, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers weeks in advance, and reunited orphan refugees with extended family members. She sits on the boards of numerous companies and nonprofits, including an Out Entrepreneur favorite, StartOut.

Densil Porteous serves as the CEO of Pride Fund 1, which empowers a generation of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through venture capital. With a keen interest in the tech and startup, Densil has advised and worked with partners like The Varsity Group, RaiseMe, Rev1 Ventures, Juggle, and LEAP. Prior to working in the venture capital space, Densil had a notable career in higher education administration with roles at Kenyon College, Stanford University, and Ohio State University. He also has served on the boards of Advocates for Youth and the Human Rights Campaign.

Densil Porteous serves as the CEO of Pride Fund 1, which empowers a generation of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through venture capital. With a keen interest in the tech and startup, Densil has advised and worked with partners like The Varsity Group, RaiseMe, Rev1 Ventures, Juggle, and LEAP. Prior to working in the venture capital space, Densil had a notable career in higher education administration with roles at Kenyon College, Stanford University, and Ohio State University. He also has served on the boards of Advocates for Youth and the Human Rights Campaign.

James R. Nowlin is a millennial, a miraculous near-death drowning survivor, and first-generation college graduate. He has been humbled by triumph as well as tragedy. Today, James is the CEO of Excel Global Partners (EGP), a financial information technology and management consulting firm, which received national recognition in 2015 as NGLCC's national business of the year. James dedicates a significant portion of his time to executive coaching, teaching wellness methods in the workplace, and leadership development.