Run Forrest, Run a Business! LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs Sprint to Success!

Like Peas and Carrots: A Growing Community

Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates you never know what you're gonna get. But lately it seems like what we're getting is a whole lot of folks from the LGBTQ+ community starting their own businesses! Turns out about 10% of new entrepreneurs last year were LGBTQ+ which is a big jump – like when I jumped off that shrimp boat and started running! And get this that number's now the same as the general population. As my mama would say 'Stupid is as stupid does,' and these folks ain't stupid! They're smart cookies like Lt. Dan figuring out Apple stock.

Built to Last: Sticking it Out

This fella named Nich Tremper from Gusto says these LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs been facing tough times like Bubba in Vietnam but they're building companies based on caring freedom and community. Seems like they're not just starting businesses they're making a difference! They want to be a positive influence in their communities just like Jenny wanted to save the world. And it turns out that these businesses are not only starting up they are sticking around lasting twice as long as other businesses.

Rebel Rebel: A Safe Space

Take Liz Whalen for example. She opened her hair salon Rebel Rebel in Illinois so everyone would feel safe and welcome. See the old salon she worked at wasn't too keen on folks who were different. Liz wanted a place where everyone felt comfortable kinda like how I felt when I was playing ping pong for the army. Now she feels support and love from her clients. Like Bubba and shrimp they go together.

One Point Seven Trillion That's a Lot of Shrimp!

This other fella Jonathan Lovitz from the Human Rights Campaign said these LGBTQ+ business owners are tough cookies like me after a marathon! Even when folks try to make things hard for them they keep going. These LGBTQ+ businesses add up to a whopping $1.7 trillion to the US economy! That’s more shrimp than Bubba could ever dream of!

Run Forrest Run Your Own Business!

Then there's Danielle Stinger from Atlanta who runs Dandi Cleaning & Organizing. She said some folks stopped being her clients because of who she loves. But she also found a lot of support! She said 'Being your own boss means you get to choose who you work with,' kinda like how I got to choose who played ping pong with me. Danielle is right it is nice to be your own boss because if you are your own boss you get to pick your own path like when I was running across America.

Finding Freedom: Avoiding Discrimination

Turns out a lot of LGBTQ+ folks start businesses so they can be their own boss and not have to worry about folks treating them different. It's all about finding freedom and making their own way kinda like when I decided to go shrimping! Like Jenny always told me we belong together and the LGBTQ community is building businesses so they all belong together and free from hate! So next time you see someone starting a business give 'em a thumbs up and say 'Run Forrest run!' They might just change the world one shrimp... I mean one business at a time.