Personal Branding For The Lgbtq Professional

On today's episode of the Gay Business & Marketing Made Easy podcast, I talk to Gina Capristo-Gajdosik, the filmmaker behind the film Make Me Blush! We talk about her personal coming out journey, the journey of being a filmmaker and seeing your project through to the end. This interview is one of the most raw and heartfelt episodes I've done in quite sometime, where you'll learn a bit about the film industry and a lot about how to communicate with your LGBT clientele. Links mentioned in today's episode: Today's episode Make Me Blush: The Movie Twitter: @MakeMeBlushFilm Listen to the episode by clicking the play button below! Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below. AUDIO TITLE:  Episode #60 – The Power of Coming Out Jenn T Grace: You are listening to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast, episode 60. Intro: Welcome to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast where you'll learn how to do business with and market to the

Listen to this great (and entertaining) interview with Heather Cox as we discuss - • Supplier Diversity • LGBT Business Certification • Certification as a marketing tool • Buying from each other I had a chance to sit down with Heather Cox of Certify My Company recently and ask her a series of questions around supplier diversity and certification. We talk about LGBT certification, women-owned certification, disability-owned certification, veteran-owned and minority-owned, etc. She teaches us about NAICS codes, the Small Business Association and her past experience as an acro-gymanst! Hit the play button above or head over to iTunes to listen to her answers. This week I am talking with Heather Cox, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Certify My Company, which is a diversity certification business. She helps women, minority business owners and LGBT businesses that qualify; certify their businesses to become part of the ranks and privileges that certification brings. Welcome to the show Heather are you

Welcome to the podcast! Today's podcast episode is going to be a dive into the archives going back to episode #19. I've been very busy and haven't had a chance to record a brand new podcast, however I do talk about my recent experience speaking at Salem State University which is partially the reason I wasn't able to record a full new episode. Have a listen because everything in this episode is absolutely applicable to today, as it was when it was first recorded. After hearing so much chatter about the CEO of Barilla Pasta and his anti-gay remarks, I have my own thoughts on this. I take a different angle than you may expect and share it all in this podcast. Below are the items mentioned in this episode of the podcast. Marketing to the LGBT community is not for everyone Dealing with opposition when preparing an LGBT outreach Guido Barilla - 1st apology, letter Guido Barilla - 2nd apology, video Huffington Post article on Barilla Pasta Stats on LGBT shopping Check out the online course! Check out the spo

In this episode of the podcast I talk with Ebone Bell - founder and managing editor of Tagg Magazine. If you have been looking to market to the lesbian community but haven't been certain on where to start, this podcast will point you in the right direction. Tagg Magazine is a lesbian publication and as the founder, Ebone knows more than a thing or two on how to effectively reach the lesbian market. You'll hear Ebone break down the myth that the LGBT community is monolithic and much, much more! Links mentioned in today's podcast:  Today's episode  Tagg Magazine - Lesbian Culture, Events, & Entertainment Listen to the podcast by clicking the play button below! Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below. AUDIO TITLE:  Episode #57 – Expert Interview: Marketing Tips for Reaching Lesbians Jenn T Grace: You are listening to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast, Episode 57. Intro: Welcome to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podca

  Today's podcast episode is going to cover the ripple effect that supplier diversity opportunities can have on ​your​ business, whether or you are part of the LGBT community or an ally to the LGBT community. It doesn't matter if you are a diverse supplier or if you are selling to corporate - no matter what your business there is a world of opportunities that you are probably overlooking completely! Who doesn't want access to new opportunities to expand and grow your business? I don't think many people would say no to that. Today's episode will talk about all of the ways your business can benefit and grow as a result of these opportunities. You don't want to miss it. Links mentioned in today' post: Set up a call with me! Today's episode NGLCC Website    Listen to the episode by clicking the play button below! Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below. AUDIO TITLE:  Episode #56 – Supplier Diversity Jenn T Grace: You are listening to the Gay Bus

Hello! Welcome to episode #55 of the podcast. Today's episode is a rerun of a podcast episode I aired back in August 2013. I am doing this because I am currently in Miami speaking at the New Mainstream Business Summit! Since I have so many new listeners each day, giving you a throw back to episode #15 when we are on episode #55 seemed like it could be a cool thing to do. This episode covers a lot of ground about LGBT business, marketing and communications. It is co-hosted with Paul Collanton of the Gay Ambitions Podcast while sitting together at the NGLCC Conference. Overall, it's a great episode and I hope you enjoy. I promise episode #56 will be a new episode! Thanks for being a listener - you are awesome! Links mentioned in today's episode: Gay Ambition Podcast Gay Ambition Blog 30 Days – 30 Voices: Stories from America’s LGBT Business Leaders Paul Collanton Sara Calabro Jennifer Brown NGLCC – National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Justin Nelson Tori Fulkerson Sam McClure CABO – Connecti

Today's podcast is an interview, finally! It's been since episode #45 with Amy Mayes since I've done an interview - wow. Well, now that we are back to an interview format - you are in for a real treat. I had a chance to talk with Mona Elyafi of ILDK Media. She owns a boutique public relations agency based in Los Angeles. She shared her personal story of how she came to found her company and all of the important milestones she hit along the way. We also discussed the nuances of pitching LGBT stories to LGBT publications and mainstream publications. She provides some solid PR strategies you could take and run with in your own business. I hope you enjoy the show! Please reach out with any thoughts or comments! Links mentioned in today's podcast: Check out my survey here! Today's episode  #45: Expert Interview with Amy Mayes of Amy Mayes Photography [Podcast] ILDK Media Website for the Dinah Shore To listen to the podcast, click the play button below! Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to th

In today's episode I cover a few topics. The first is I answer a listener question about what to do when you don't feel comfortable networking in an LGBT environment. The second is I do a deep dive into what the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Corporate Equality Index is. I also review an article shared with me by a Facebook fan, who wanted to hear my personal opinion on the HRC. With the HRC it is usually a love em' or hate em' scenario. I share why I see such a significant importance in the Corporate Equality Index specifically and of course, share how I really feel about the HRC. This is an episode you've been waiting for. And now that I'm back from jury duty I have time to the deep dive you've been asking for! Speaking of jury duty, next week's blog post is going to share the 4 lessons I learned by being a juror on a murder trial - you won't want to miss that post - so come back next week! Links mentioned in the episode: Corporate Equality Index | Human Rights Campaign Food Dive  Homonormativity 101: What

In today's episode of the podcast you will hear an interview I did with my friends over at the Peak Performance Podcast, Mike & Maria Keiser. Their show is "about everything having to do with being a Peak Performer.  We discuss high achievers, relationship management, mind management, happiness and well being, and everything we can think of to help you reach your full potential." I had the joy of being on their show a while ago now but I wanted to bring this interview to you because it emphasizes how important having a business coach is, in addition to sharing a lot of details about my own business journey that I haven't already shared here on the podcast or blog. If you came here today looking for this episode to be about the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Corporate Equality Index (CEI) - my apologies - that'll be in the next episode. I'm serving as a juror on a trial and didn't want you to go a week without new and interesting content, so this is what I've got for you. In episode #53 we will cover the rec

Today's podcast episode is meant as a pre-cursor to the next episode! Each year the Human Rights Campaign puts out their Corporate Equality Index (CEI) which is something I absolutely swear by. This index helps me understand what companies are doing good for the LGBT community and what companies are not. In episode #52 of the podcast I will be doing a recap of the 2015 HRC CEI. But before doing that I wanted to first give you an idea of who the HRC is and what they do through the eyes of one their own - Liz Cooper, manager of the Workplace Project. I hope you enjoy! Links mentioned in today's episode: Corporate Equality Index Buying for Workplace Equality 2013 The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference Human Rights Campaign Listen to the episode by clicking the play button below! Would you prefer to read the transcript rather than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below! AUDIO TITLE:  Episode 51 – Who is the Human Rights Campaign, and How Does this Help your Busine

Today's episode of the Gay Business & Marketing Made Easy Podcast covers the topic of knowing, liking and trusting someone. A recent plumbing snafu in my house made me realize how important this and even further how important it is for someone within the LGBT community. My experience can help you adapt your LGBT marketing message to attract more LGBT customers. Find out about this topic and more in this monumental 50th episode of the podcast! Links mentioned in today's podcast. Gay Sales 101: How to Sell to the $830 Billion LGBT Market #45: Expert Interview with Amy Mayes of Amy Mayes Photography [Podcast] #48: How to be an ally to a community you don't belong to [Podcast] My first book: But You Don't Look Gay... Tutorial on how to create your 'why' Visit the online store! The Trevor Project Check out Tony Ferraiolo's inspiring website! Listen to the podcast by clicking the play button below! Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below!

In today's podcast I talk about the 8 key lessons I learned in 2014. Each year I do an annual recap and there are 8 that stand out to me. As a listener you have been following my running journey throughout 2014 so I use some running analogies to explain my 8 key lessons. I hope you enjoy it and wish you a very happy holiday season! Links mentioned in today's podcast! How do you recover from sticking your foot in your mouth? SO...Where are the lesbians? #46: What is coming in 2015 and answering listener questions [Podcast] #25: LGBT Year in Review & Key Lessons in 2013 [Podcast] Listen to the episode by clicking the play button below!   Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below. AUDIO TITLE: Episode #49 – Eight Lessons of 2014 You are listening to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy, Podcast Episode 49. Welcome to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast where you'll learn how to do business with and market to the LGBT communi

Today's podcast addresses specifically how to be an ally to a community you are not necessarily a part of. I train LGBT allies on a daily basis and successfully I might add. ;-) But I had an epiphany recently. How does one enter the world of being an ally where they don't know where to start? I talk about this as it relates to LGBT allies but it wasn't until recent where I've been struggling to find my way as an ally to the black community that it truly hit me with how intimidating and daunting this can be. Allies are critical to any group of people and the concepts are universal. In this episode you'll hear my struggles of what an ally means to me and how I am trying to be a better ally to a community that I am not a part of - and how you can be too! Enjoy listening and as always, I would truly love to hear your thoughts on this. Links mentioned in today's podcast: Corporate Equality Index Blog Post: Resources Resources for Questioning Youth Visit my Homepage here for the Hartford Courant article!   List

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today I'm pleased to share episode #47 of the podcast. In this episode I discuss what I am thankful for this year as well as tackling a listener question about the usage of the word Queer. It's an interesting topic and one you should know about as you embark on your LGBT marketing endeavors! Check it out and enjoy your holiday. Links mentioned in today's podcast! Episode 23 - What I am Thankful for in 2013 Huffington's Post: The Salvation Army's History of Anti-LGBT Discrimination Jennifer Brown Consulting Queer: What does it mean? What do the Great Depression and the LGBT equality have in common? The hidden implications of LGBT terms and why you may want to avoid them   Listen to the episode by clicking the play button below Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below.   AUDIO TITLE:  Episode #47 – A Queer Question  You are listening to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast, Episode 47. Welcome... Welcome to

Hi there podcast listener! Thank you for being here. I am delighted to share with you my plans for this podcast as I enter year 3 of doing so. I also discuss ways in which I will be improving my blog and products going forward as we enter 2015. This is the first podcast of many where I am including a full transcription of the podcast, which you can read below. Links included in today's podcast: Three (3) years in: What new content will you get to improve your LGBT efforts? #024: Expert Interview with Candice Czubernat [Podcast] My first book - updated!     Play the episode by clicking below! Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below. Welcome to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast where you'll learn how to do business with and market to the LGBT community in an authentic and transparent way. We're talking about the $790 billion lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community. We'll help you grow your business, gain market share an

I am so pleased to present you with today's podcast interview with Amy Mayes of Amy Mayes Photography. She is a brilliant photographer and an LGBT Rights Activist. She shares many great insights on being an ally to the LGBT community and what that means to her and her business. You are bound to learn a thing or two from today's show. As always, feel free to reach out with questions or comments - I'd love to hear from you! Links mentioned in this episode: NGLCCNY News Blog Advocate v. Activist Blog Post Amy Mayes Photography Barbara Russo Strategics Listen to this podcast by clicking the play button below. Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the transcript below. AUDIO TITLE:  Episode #45 - Interview with Amy Mayes Photography  Jenn T Grace: You are listening to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast, episode 45. Intro: Welcome to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast where you'll learn how to do business with and market to the LGBT comm

I had a chance to recently sit down with Re Perez of BRANDING FOR THE PEOPLE. I've known of Re for a couple of years through our mutual relationship with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. At this past conference I brought home some of his marketing materials and promptly reached out to see if he would be a guest on the show and he agreed. It was great talking to a brand strategist. I think you will learn a lot of general branding and marketing information from this episode in addition to many valuable tips for effectively marketing to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Happy listening! Here are some links derived directly from today's episode: BRANDING FOR THE PEOPLE. Also, check out when the next webinar is here. My book: No, wait… You do look gay! The 7 Mistakes Preventing You from Selling to the $830 Billion LGBT Market. Listen to the episode by clicking the play button below! Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the episode? No problem! Read the tr

Today's episode was so much fun. I had a chance to sit down and speak with Colin Sines who wears many hats, all of which come back to LGBT marketing specifically in the area of travel and tourism. Colin and I met last year at the Travel Gay Canada Conference, which is coming up at the end of this month on October 23 and 24. More details on the conference here. It is very clear that he is an expert in all things LGBT marketing and the go-to person in Canada for those seeking these niche opportunities. He shares very personal insights of how he began in this field and also shares wonderful advice on how to get yourself started on this path. If you like what you hear, please leave a comment or share with a friend. Here are some links shared in today’s episode: OUTVisions LGBT Magazine for Professionals Travel Gay Canada Check out when the next webinar is here. My book: No, wait… You do look gay! The 7 Mistakes Preventing You from Selling to the $830 Billion LGBT Market. Listen to the episode by clicking the

Hello and welcome to episode #42 of the Gay Business & Marketing Made Easy podcast I am your host Jenn Grace. As always I thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to listen to this show. I really appreciate it. Today's show is an interview with Dr. Ronni Sanlo who has an incredible past as it relates to LGBT history. She's been in the movement for a really long time and has been doing incredible work. She shares two stories during our conversation that are so moving that I had chills. I would consider her to be a true pioneer in LGBT rights. And because of that she has some really interesting thoughts around how to market to the LGBT community. During the interview today one of my announcements was asking you to send your pictures of you reading my new book! :) Here are some links mentioned in today's episode: Purple Distinctions Facebook.com/RonniSanlo RonniSanlo@gmail.com Listen to the podcast by clicking the play button below!         Thanks for listening today, I hope you enjoyed and f

  I had the great pleasure of talking with Jeff Berger on today's podcast.  Jeff is the founder of the National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) and shared some great insights on more effective marketing to the LGBT community.   Here are some of the links he shared in the episode. National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals 2014 National LGBT Real Estate Conference If you are interested in attending the conference he has given you, the listener, a code for $100 off. Just use 'fortlauderdale' when you check out and you'll automatically save $100! You can't go wrong with that. ;)   NAGLREP@gmail.com 561-865-6117   As always - check out when the next webinar is here. Would you prefer to read the transcript than listen to the podcast? No problem! Read the transcript below. AUDIO START: [0:00:00]   Jenn T Grace:             You are listening to the Gay Business and Marketing Made Easy Podcast, Episode 41.   Intro:                          Welcome to the