In this interview, Drew Bognaes, founder of Whisker & Howl Photography, shares their journey from working in various roles within the pet industry to launching a thriving pet care business and ultimately focusing on their passion for animal photography. Drew discusses the challenges of advocating for animals, the importance of setting boundaries with clients, and how being openly queer fosters deeper connections with customers. They offer valuable advice to LGBTQ+ service providers about embracing creativity and individuality, highlighting how authenticity has been key to their success. Drew’s dedication to animal welfare and their unique artistic perspective shine through in both their work and advocacy.

River Nice, founder of Be Intentional Financial, shares their journey from working in tech startups to launching a financial planning business dedicated to empowering queer and trans individuals. Rooted in personal experience and driven by anti-capitalist values, River focuses on providing inclusive, shame-free financial education that prioritizes both individual well-being and community care. Through their 12-week program, "Take Control of Your Money," they create a supportive space for clients to build financial confidence and explore collective approaches to managing money.

Eli Lawliet, Ph.D. (he/him), is the Founder of The Gender Doula, a transformative service providing personalized support for those transitioning, questioning, or exploring their gender, as well as their families.

Morgan Henry Kerr is the Founder of I AM MAMO, a queer parenthood consultancy dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and couples on their journey to parenthood. Launched in 2023, Morgan created the company after navigating her own challenging trying-to-conceive (TTC) journey, which involved 16 IUI cycles. Recognizing the profound lack of resources and support available for queer parents-to-be, Morgan was inspired to create a space where others could find the guidance, community, and compassion that was missing from her own experience.

Karis Rogerson (she/her), a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ voices, founded her editorial services business to help authors refine their stories and amplify their narratives. With a focus on copy editing, line editing, and providing detailed feedback, Karis specializes in genres such as YA—covering contemporary, fantasy, and romance—as well as all categories of children’s literature and adult romance.

Flee Kieselhorst is the Founder of FotosByFlee, a versatile photography business specializing in portraiture, events, and commercial shoots, including food, products, and real estate. Her mission is to capture the essence of her subjects, bringing out the vibrant energy of their personalities in each photo. Flee’s work is known for its colorful, clean, and playful style, with each image thoughtfully incorporating the environment to add depth and context.

Lael Atkinson is dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges related to substance use and disordered eating through their recovery coaching practice and their Beyond Shrinking & Drinking program. As a certified professional recovery coach, Lael combines their personal journey in both areas with professional expertise to offer both one-on-one and group coaching. Their unique approach emphasizes early intervention and tackles the often-overlooked connection between drinking and issues with food and body.

Rex Wilde (they/them) is the Founder of Rex Wilde Consulting, a firm dedicated to integrating transgender and gender expansive (TGX+) inclusion into broader diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) frameworks within organizations. As a nonbinary LGBTQ+ educator and business consultant with over a decade of experience, Rex specializes in training workshops, policy consulting, and strategic advising. Their work empowers workplaces to foster environments where TGX+ inclusion promotes a sense of belonging for all employees. Rex has provided training for over 200 companies, including Spectrum/Charter, UPS, ADP, and the Sundance Institute.

Ali Kane (she/they) is the Founder of ALK Consulting, a consultancy dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across organizations. Launched in December 2022, ALK Consulting stems from Ali's dual passions: a career journey blending storytelling and nonprofit fundraising, alongside a deeply rooted commitment to DEI. Drawing from personal experiences of feeling different from others as a left-handed redhead kid, coupled with the influence of her mother's career as a special education teacher, Ali's upbringing instilled in her a profound respect for diversity and compassion.

Ryan Criswell, the creative force behind Cute Story Events, invites us into their world of event planning. Starting their career at the front desk of a Hilton hotel, Ryan honed their organizational skills that would later help them navigate planning large events. Their career pivoted during South by Southwest, where Ryan's involvement in coordinating over 450 volunteers amplified their desire to plan large events. This experience was further enriched during the pandemic when Ryan collaborated with a production agency to pioneer virtual and hybrid events nationwide.

Van Ethan Levy (they/elle) is a dually Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor dedicated to creating accessible mental health resources. With a focus on trans and non binary identities, disability justice, and harm reduction, they’ve developed a range of community resource tools, including the interactive book Exploring My Identity(ies), a documentary called Do Something: Trans & Non Binary Identities, and the No More GateKeeping app. They also organize the annual Do Something: Identity(ies) conference.

Lee Turner and Leslie Hensley are the Co-Founders of HENSLEE, a boutique HR group known for its unique people-first approach.

Andrew Dort is the Founder of Pride Lending LLC, the first mortgage company in the United States founded with a mission to serve the LGBTQ+ community.

Jannah Bachrouche is the Founder of HERC HR, a Queer and Arab-owned holistic Human Resources and People Ops consulting and fractional services company. HERC HR specializes in helping companies of all sizes address challenges related to employee retention, engagement, growth, communication, and inclusivity.

Nik Sallie is the Founder of Tastemakers Legal, a boutique trademark law firm dedicated to empowering innovative small businesses, particularly those from underrepresented communities, through trademark ownership.

Kathy Rivera is the founder of a transformative healing and wellness practice that combines trauma-informed energy medicine and therapeutic yoga. A first-generation Salvadoran American, Kathy brings a rich background in healthcare and a deep commitment to creating inclusive spaces for queer people of color.

Kayani Turner is the Founder of KfiT Whole Body Wellness, a virtual coaching program designed to offer a judgment-free, supportive environment tailored specifically for POC and Queer individuals.

Dalia Kinsey is the Founder of Kinsey Wellness & Communications LLC, an organization dedicated to fostering health equity and inclusive care. Launched from a profound personal journey and professional expertise as a Registered Dietitian, Dalia's mission is to challenge and transform how wellness and nutrition are approached, especially within marginalized communities.

Victoria D. Stubbs, LICSW, LCSW-C, RMT, is the founder of Inner Truth Psychotherapy & Wellness, a private practice that focuses on therapy and wellness services. Discover her journey and insights in this interview with an inspiring LGBTQ+ founder.