In this episode of QueerHustle, Michelle sits down with activist, author, speaker and serial entrepreneur, Brooklyn Wright. Brooklyn is an enterprising, passionate community builder who has founded and sustained two companies as well as helped over two hundred creatives and entrepreneurs build, brand and advertise their enterprises. Today, Michelle and Brooklyn discuss the power of money, addressing privilege and having tough conversations. They talk about why money has historically been such a taboo topic, the importance of investing and the value of failing quickly and often.

What We Covered:

00:43 – Introducing today’s guest, Brooklyn Wright, who joins the show to talk about their background as a serial entrepreneur, financial literacy and money mindset

06:12 – Brooklyn talks about understanding the power of money and how to wield that awesome power

12:28 – Brooklyn provides their thoughts on privilege and those who are uncomfortable with power

16:43 – Michelle takes a moment to thank today’s sponsor, BGSD Strategies

17:04 – Brooklyn talks about unpacking the tough conversations in order to enact actual change

18:14 – The stigma surrounding money and why it’s historically been a taboo topic

20:56 –Understanding and charging what you’re worth as an entrepreneur

24:18 – Brooklyn speaks to the work they’re doing with young people regarding financial literacy

26:53 – Brooklyn talks about the importance of investing, taking risks and failing

Tweetable Quotes:

“Most folks don’t know the difference between a liability and an asset. And investing in your education, your business, your clients, your employees, etc., they’re all actually assets. And that’s key. I think that’s a great point for people to understand.” (05:00) (Brooklyn)

“I’ve always had power. I think the thing is, especially for queer people, we do not like to admit that we’ve had power.” (07:03) (Brooklyn)

“We don’t change any of this if you’re not able to look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘Oh snap, I’ve had some privilege.’” (13:33) (Brooklyn)

“I wanted to have real impact on the world. I didn’t want to just be sitting in my living room, typing on my computer and screaming at folks about what they should or should not be doing. I wanted to see change in my neighborhood and my community.” (17:41) (Brooklyn)

“It’s been very cool for rich people to talk about money together. It has been uncool for anyone else to do so. Just that change in dynamic, I know for a fact changes who has control over their life and who doesn’t.” (20:24) (Brooklyn)

“A lot of it for me is wanting to make folks really understand how investments work in our society. Your investments are what are gonna make you wealthy or rich or financially free; it’s not your job or your entrepreneurship.” (26:53) (Brooklyn)

“I encourage people to fail, to fail quickly, to fail often and to know that that’s where success is.” (29:44) (Brooklyn)

Links Mentioned:

Brooklyn’s LinkedIn

Michelle’s Website

Queer Hustle Facebook Group

BGSD Strategies Website

In this episode of QueerHustle, Roberto sits down with entrepreneur and champion of empowering BIPOC, queer and female founders, Danya Abutaleb. Danya is the CEO of Pip, an organization that harnesses the power of dialogue to assist companies in actualizing the diverse and inclusive culture they've always sought. Today, Roberto and Danya talk about their shared experience growing up as a queer person in the same conservative Virginia town. Danya discusses the importance of fostering diversity and the vision they have for the future of Pip. Danya talks about their entrepreneurial journey and the importance of doing work that aligns with your soul.

What We Covered:

00:56 – Introducing today’s guest, Danya Abutaleb, who discusses the work they are doing at Pip Collective

07:51 – Danya’s vision for the future of Pip

09:53 – Roberto and Danya talk about how the plight of queer people has been diminished throughout the years

15:22 – Roberto and Danya share their experiences growing up in the very conservative town of Culpeper, Virginia

18:24 – Michelle takes a moment to thank today’s sponsor, BGSD Strategies

20:53 – Roberto opens up about his collegiate experience and how he developed confidence in his sexuality

25:57 – Danya takes the audience through their entrepreneurial journey

36:15 – How being a queer Muslim has impacted Danya in their businesses and advice Danya would give to aspiring queer entrepreneurs

Tweetable Quotes:

“Pip was born, and now I can say that my soul has been cleansed, has been regalvinized in pursuing all that I care about and all that matters to me. And I’m doing it with an incredible team and I couldn’t be happier.” (05:35) (Danya)

“For me, as a person who is not white, I had trouble figuring out what white guilt feels like and figuring out why someone could say just say, ‘Oh, I don’t see color’ and think that is more equitable than acknowledging our differences and acknowledging the real ramifications and consequences of our individualized upbringings and identities.” (06:51) (Danya)

“What we do at Pip is we start to acknowledge the spheres of power people have and hold and we look at how can we start transforming those and look at it as an anti-oppressive framework rather than solely an anti-racist or anti-homophobic framework.” (11:38) (Danya)

“I feel like we wouldn’t be in this business or space unless we were optimists at heart, because we are investing in the future. And we are investing in the hope that the next generation and the generation thereafter will continue understanding what it means to be human.” (24:37) (Danya)

“As someone who considers myself a very futuristic thinker, the one phrase that I despise above many others is, ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it.’” (34:11) (Danya)

Links Mentioned:

Danya’s LinkedIn

Danya’s Website

Michelle’s Website 

Queer Hustle Facebook Group

BGSD Strategies Website

In this episode of QueerHustle, Michelle sits down with transformational business coach, speaker, and ‘recovering engineer,’ Darla LeDoux. Darla is the Founder of Sourced and author of two books, Shift the Field and Retreat and Grow Rich. She works with transformational leaders to develop businesses that align with their truth. This has been at the core of Darla’s mission as she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs around the world build thriving businesses based on freedom, intuition and connection. Today, Michelle and Darla talk about the difference between default and sourced energy. Darla opens up about one of the most transformational moments in her life, the incredible value of attending retreats and the importance of living our truth.

What We Covered:

00:56 – Introducing today’s guest, Darla LeDoux, who discusses the work she does as a transformation coach, her book, Shift the Field

05:11 – Darla differentiates between default energy and sourced energy and provides examples of each

13:05 – Darla expounds on the concept of Space and Grace

17:29 – Michelle takes a moment to thank today’s sponsor, BGSD Strategies

17:51 – Michelle and Darla talk about the value of attending retreats and getting a changing scenery

19:42 – Darla opens up about discovering she was gay and how she remains open to the next transformational moment in her life

Tweetable Quotes:

“When we are in connection with other like-minded humans, we do create exponential results because we help each other to shine.” (04:59) (Darla)

“The opposite of default energy is sourced energy. And it’s really created in the moment. It’s alive, it’s vibrant, it’s aligned with the soul of who we are. So, to me, in a sourced place there’s no such thing as mistakes. It’s all learning and growth. Yet in the default it’s like, ‘No that’s a problem. Why would you make that mistake?’” (08:43) (Darla)

“I don’t think it’s about finding new ground. It’s actually about finding the energy that frees your soul to express in a new way.” (12:26) (Darla)

“We highly recommend our clients go get an Airbnb, even if it’s just down the street, to get out of your energy field. Because everything around us is set up by our default energy.” (18:12) (Darla)

“Once we see the truth and we can be validated in that truth, we can clear it and we can create a new energy field. And that’s the heart of this transformational process.” (23:25) (Darla)

“These things that are hidden from our view, we could explore them forever and not know they’re there. So we need help. I needed help to see it.” (29:16) (Darla)

Links Mentioned:

Darla’s LinkedIn

Darla’s Website

Darla’s Facebook

Darla’s Instagram

Darla’s YouTube Channel

Link to Darla’s Book

Michelle’s Website

Queer Hustle Facebook Group 

BGSD Strategies Website

In this episode of QueerHustle, Michelle sits down with animal lover and nomadic entrepreneur, Sam Hernandez. Sam is the Founder of The Money Institute, an organization that empowers the LGBTQIA+ community to eliminate debt, save thousands and live their best lives. Michelle and Sam discuss reworking our mindset towards money, the value of accountability and being authentic and the choice Sam made to focus her efforts on serving the queer community.

What We Covered:

00:41– Introducing today’s guest, Sam Hernandez, who speaks to the work she does as a money coach

03:05 – The value of coaching and the importance of accountability

04:15 – Reworking our money mindset and reversing the stigma of greed around money

06:34 – The importance of knowing your worth and trusting yourself as an entrepreneur

08:38 – Sam talks about how she’s invested in herself

10:26 – Michelle takes a moment to thank today’s sponsor, BGSD Strategies

10:47 – What Sam was thinking starting a business at the beginning of a pandemic

12:11 – Sam shares her commitment to helping the queer community – specifically lesbians – take control of their money

14:24 – Sam and Michelle talk about privilege

16:11 – How Sam helps her clients to navigate their finances

18:01 – Sam and Michelle talk about identity and being authentic

21:02 – Advice Sam would give to hesitant aspiring entrepreneurs

Tweetable Quotes:

“Working with another coach gave me the confidence that I could do it and the accountability to actually do it. A lot of times coaching just comes down to accountability.” (03:29) (Sam)

“It’s about reworking that mindset; it’s not about greed. I’m not trying to be a billionaire. I just want to live comfortably and I want to be able to travel the world with my dog and run my business and sustain that lifestyle.” (05:37) (Sam)

“People don’t value themselves enough is what I’ve found. Even starting my own entrepreneurial journey, I was very scared to charge my worth. I was very timid to even charge period, because I was asking, ‘What value can I really bring? Am I good enough to charge that much?’” (06:34) (Sam)

“Since I started my last March I’ve invested thirteen thousand dollars in myself doing courses, working with other coaches. And I don’t see that as a waste of money or money lost or debt. It’s all investments that have gotten me to where I am.” (09:24) (Sam)

“It was just crazy to me the correlation that I had found between the coming out journey and my finances. And I just wanted to share it with everyone out there so they don’t feel like they’re alone.” (13:48) (Sam)

“Many of my clients are in a situation that they’re making enough to live off of and be able to save or pay off their debt, but they’re still in the stage of emotional spending and not being able to control their spending habits. That’s the first thing we tackle.” (16:22) (Sam)

“I personally believe that sexuality is fluid. So most people might be gay and now they’re allowed to be and it’s not so looked down upon.” (20:45) (Sam)

Links Mentioned:

BGSD Strategies Website

Sam’s Website

Sam’s Instagram

Sam’s Facebook

Sam’s Email

Michelle’s Website

In this episode of QueerHustle, Michelle sits down with videographer, editor and entrepreneur, Anita Kwan. Anita is the Creative Director at Reel Hoot Productions, a video production company based in Columbus, Ohio. Anita is a true storyteller at heart, helping to build trust with audiences through video. Her approach is simple, to be authentic and make video production a fun, easy process. Today, Michelle and Anita talk about the challenges of being the only minority in the room, the importance of building a safe, brave space and the work Anita is doing to help businesses grow by building a connection with their audience to inspire, create impact, and take action.

What We Covered:

00:49 – Introducing today’s guest, Anita Kwan, who discusses her background as a creative director, storyteller and entrepreneur

08:01 – Anita talks about what it’s like being the only minority in the room

11:21 – How Anita gets the best story out of people

13:05 – Anita talks about the importance of authenticity

14:36 – Michelle takes a moment to thank today’s sponsor, BGSD Strategies

17:23 – The value of building a safe space and a brave space

19:12 – How Anita’s business was impacted by the pandemic and how she pivoted accordingly

22:49 – Advice Anita would give to those looking to turn their passion into a plan

Tweetable Quotes:

“I’ve always been an introvert when I was little. And the one thing that always kept me creative and motivated and energized was making videos with my friends.” (02:20) (Anita)

“The pandemic has really shown us that quality doesn’t really matter. There’s so many videos out there that everyone shot on their phones but it’s getting views because people are pouring themselves into them.” (10:37) (Anita)

“Embracing who you are, what you enjoy and being ok with it to share with the world is great because that’s what’s gonna get other people to gravitate towards you. But there is that fear of vulnerability, which actually vulnerability is such a strength when it comes to business and people.” (13:52) (Anita)

“It’s the advice I give a lot of young folks when they come out of college is to not worry so much about building your resume. Go connect with people. Those are the ones who are really gonna help you out.” (17:23) (Anita)

“I try to always be very intentional with how I show up and the questions I ask and the way I approach.” (18:58) (Anita)

Links Mentioned:

Anita’s LinkedIn

Anita’s Website

Michelle’s Website 

Queer Hustle Facebook Group 

BGSD Strategies Website

In this episode of QueerHustle, Michelle sits down with transformational mindset coach, Kirsten Beske. Kirsten is a Harvard educated, experienced psychotherapist and mindset coach specializing in helping clients master their internal world to achieve success. Her specialty is working with high performing professional and entrepreneurial women to break through any inner mindset barriers holding them back from the success they deserve, with more clarity, ease and impact. Today, Michelle and Kirsten talk about the work Kirsten is doing to help entrepreneurs get past mindset blocks, overcoming fears and best practices for building positive and healthy mindsets in order to live happier and more fulfilled lives.

What We Covered:

00:53 – Introducing today’s guest, Kirsten Beske, who discusses her background as a transformational mindset coach

04:22 – Kirsten discusses working with entrepreneurs who are embarking on this mission as a second career, fears they have and the mindset shifts they experience

09:35 – Getting past mindset blocks and overcoming fear

14:52 – Kirsten shares her approach to building mindset like a muscle

17:10 – Kirsten provides her thoughts on self-acceptance in the marginalized queer community

23:58 – Advice Kirsten would give to hesitant, aspiring entrepreneurs

Tweetable Quotes:

“When the world becomes so much more of a grind and the things that you did think you were passionate about just become so hard to do and so tiring, that constant state of exhaustion and that lack of passion. That’s when you really have to start asking yourself, ‘Maybe I’ve changed enough over the years that it’s time for me to tap into a different part of myself and really go that way.’” (03:17) (Kirsten)

“Giving back to other people. Making sure you leave the world a better place. Those are the kind of things that come up more and more as you’re older.” (05:49) (Kirsten)

“When we have fear and our vision does contract, people literally lose their peripheral vision; it’s not a metaphor. They measured in studies that when people are scared they lose their peripheral vision and they can’t see the options that are out there for them.” (13:53) (Kirsten)

“They say neurons that fire together wire together. So, if you don’t practice it on a regular basis, you’re not gonna solidify that neural pathway. And then the default will be whatever your old one was.” (16:05) (Kirsten)

“I think it is a superpower to have really made that fundamental of a shift of your personal identity, inner and outer matching. To have done that should hopefully give you that superpower of ‘I can do anything and survive.’” (20:01) (Kirsten)

“The entrepreneur’s journey is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards at the end are immensely worth it.” (23:37) (Kirsten)

Links Mentioned:

Kirsten’s LinkedIn

Kirsten’s Website

Michelle’s Website 

Queer Hustle Facebook Group 

In this episode of QueerHustle, Michelle sits down with Conversion Copywriter and Community Strategist, Anna Hetzel. For over five years Anna has helped countless businesses — from tech startups to national brands to nonprofits — understand their target market, uplevel their website, and retain their customers. Today, Michelle and Anna discuss Anna’s entrepreneurial journey, the importance of maintaining a balance between work and life, asking for help and the value of building a thriving community.

What We Covered:

00:43 – Introducing today’s guest, Anna Hetzel, who shares the work they do as a Conversion Copywriter

04:25 – Anna talks about the importance they place on balancing work and life and the many projects they are currently working on 

09:20 – Anna speaks to how they manage their time and ‘theming’ their days 

14:01 – How Anna’s business exploded during COVID-19 and celebrating ‘NO-vember’

19:08 – Anna talks about the importance of celebrating ourselves and how they avoid burnout 

27:35 – The work Anna is doing as a community strategist 

Tweetable Quotes:

“People hire me for website copy and what they get is sales strategy.” (03:39) (Anna) 

“The worst thing to do to a creative brain is say no to something.” (05:59) (Anna) 

“The more we give ourselves permission to say, ‘No’ and frame it as, “I’m saying ‘No’ so that I can say ‘Yes’ to this,’ I think that’s where we miss that step. Remind yourself the gift that that ‘No’ is also giving you.” (16:09) (Anna) 

“Showing up in ways more than an entrepreneur and a business owner is showing up fully human. And you can only do that if you respect yourself first. And I’ve found that when you say, ‘No’ people respect you more.” (16:53) (Anna) 

“Something I do when I’m feeling those warning signs of burnout is I look at my calendar and what I have booked and planned and notice what I’m excited about and what I’m saying ‘Oh fuck’ about.” (23:18) (Anna) 

“There’s been a beauty in the pandemic of helping people focus in on who really matters, not what.” (24:39) (Anna) 

“I think there’s a lot of good-hearted people that want to create transformative online communities around their business. They just have never been taught how.” (29:54) (Anna) 

“Showing up consistently in the smallest ways creates huge changes and takes time.” (33:30) (Anna) 

Links Mentioned:

Anna’s LinkedIn

Anna’s Website

Michelle’s Website

Queer Hustle Facebook Group

Miro Website