Michelle Miele is the founder of Do Paperwork, an LGBTQ+ owned CPA firm dedicated to helping small business owners understand their numbers and build businesses with confidence. With a journey that took her from physics classes to accounting, and from corporate CFO roles to running her own firm from the road, Michelle brings both deep expertise and a genuine love of teaching to everything she does.

Jamie Engelhardt is the founder of Wild Ampersand, a LGBTQ+ owned and creative agency dedicated to helping businesses uncover their authentic brand stories. With a life filled with transformative experiences, Jamie understands the importance of being your authentic self both personally and professionally. Since its inception, Jamie has empowered clients to connect deeply with their values, guiding them through the branding process with authenticity and compassion.

Misha Safran is the founder of the Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence (CEEQ) and an openly queer speaker, trainer, coach, and author whose work is rooted in lived experience, resilience, and deep compassion. Drawing from a wide-ranging background that includes teaching, music, childbirth support, leadership, and surviving trauma and chronic illness, she helps individuals and organizations create emotionally safe, inclusive spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Her approach blends authenticity, patience, and playfulness with practical emotional intelligence tools, inspiring connection across differences and empowering communities to thrive through empathy.

Caitlin Copple, founder of Full Swing Public Relations, built a seven-figure PR firm in under four years with a mission to amplify women, LGBTQ+, and underrepresented voices. In this interview, she shares how her feminist values and commitment to equity drive Full Swing’s success, the challenges of leading a progressive business in Idaho, and her advice for LGBTQ+ professionals to be visible, build connections, and use their stories for change.

In this Famm Interview, Obsidian “Obi” Adebayo, Commercial Director of Q+ Collective, shares their journey from investment banking to leading a queer-led consulting and strategy firm rooted in queer-lens consulting. Obi opens up about navigating workplace trauma, founding creative projects like The Black Monologues and The Influence Index, and embracing a philosophy of “gentle ambition” that balances drive with care. At Q+ Collective, they support LGBTQ+ leaders and organizations with culturally fluent, values-led strategy—from operational planning to threat analysis—helping queer service providers and nonprofits build resilience in uncertain times. This inspiring conversation highlights the challenges of fundraising as a queer-led NGO, the transformative power of visibility, and advice for future LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

This Famm Founder Interview spotlights Victor Scotti, Jr., founder of Our S.P.A.C.E. Studios, a luxury, expression-neutral salon suite serving LGBTQIA+ Black and Brown clients with transformative color and gender-affirming cuts. Victor shares his journey from a decade in Diversity & Inclusion at Google and Netflix to discovering hair as healing after being laid off in 2023. He discusses building a salon rooted in authenticity, community, and holistic care, how queerness shapes his work, and offers advice for LGBTQ+ service providers on embracing their identity as a superpower and creating space for liberation through beauty.

Founder Interview with Bryan Ruiz of B3 Media Consulting — In this Hey Famm service provider interview, Bryan Ruiz shares his journey from Fort Lauderdale to leading roles at Google, Disney, and Sony before founding B3 Media Consulting. With expertise in digital marketing, content, and global strategy, Bryan now helps small and medium-sized businesses grow through intentional, values-driven partnerships. As a proud gay business owner, he emphasizes authenticity, inclusivity, and community in every client relationship.

Julianne Key is a queer, asexual wedding photographer who blends emotional storytelling with a neurodivergent-friendly approach that prioritizes comfort, connection, and authenticity over traditional industry expectations. In our interview, she shares how stepping away from social media and creating a niche that reflects her values has allowed her to build a deeply fulfilling business that centers real love stories.

Hello Gender, founded by Pascale Joëlle (PJay), is a heart-led initiative supporting trans, nonbinary, and questioning youth and their families through personalized guidance and gender-affirming planning. Rooted in Pascale’s own journey and lived experience, Hello Gender creates safer, more informed spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to be themselves.

Aaron Martin, founder of Aaron Martin Therapy, creates an affirming space where queer clients feel seen without needing to explain themselves. Rooted in lived experience and community care, Aaron offers therapy that centers connection, presence, and the power of simply being heard.

Meet Eliana Mendez, founder of Human-Centric Photography & Videography, in this powerful new Famm interview. Based in Portland, Eliana is a queer Puerto Rican trans femme creative using photography, videography, and digital storytelling to center community, authenticity, and anti-oppressive values. From calling out injustice in the workplace to highlighting grassroots impact through projects like Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment Equity Program, Eliana’s journey is rooted in purpose. Read how they built a career around truth-telling, cultural connection, and creating media that helps people truly be seen.

David Morgenstern (he/him) is the founder of Gaddies, the world’s first brand celebrating gay dads through apparel, connection, and community. In this Famm interview, David shares how his background at Nike and personal journey into queer parenthood inspired him to launch Gaddies—a movement redefining visibility and pride for LGBTQ+ families.

Jim Fielding is a seasoned executive, bestselling author, and founder of All Pride, No Ego LLC, with a 35-year career leading major global brands like Disney and Claire’s. In this interview, he shares how leaving corporate life to focus on coaching, writing, and advocacy allowed him to lead with purpose—and why authenticity, safety, and intergenerational mentorship are core to his work today. Jim opens up about the challenges of being out in leadership, building his own brand, and the urgency of showing up for the full LGBTQ+ community.

In this month’s Famm Founder Interview, we spoke with Geffrye (“Geff”) Parsons, founder of The Inclusion Imperative, a consulting agency committed to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace. Geff opens up about coming out later in life, the toll of navigating corporate environments while closeted, and how those experiences now fuel his work to create safer, more authentic spaces for others. Drawing from decades in front-office financial roles, Geff brings a practical, business-centered lens to DE&I—championing both empathy and impact. He shares candid advice for LGBTQ+ service providers, reflects on the importance of agency over forced authenticity, and reminds us that inclusion isn't just the right thing to do—it's essential for better business.

David Komisarchik is the founder of Threadability LLC, a digital content concierge service helping creators, entrepreneurs, and influencers navigate social media and content marketing. Originally working in construction estimating, David launched Threadability in 2018 as a creative escape, eventually turning it into a full-time business. Through consulting, content creation, and a dedicated studio space, he provides strategic guidance and community support for those looking to grow their digital presence. His journey has been shaped by self-education, overcoming financial anxiety, and embracing authenticity in both business and personal expression. As an openly queer entrepreneur, David prioritizes building safe, inclusive spaces and believes in collaboration over competition within the LGBTQ+ business community.

This interview gets into the journey of Josh MacKinnon, a seasoned advertising and communications professional who has worked with top global brands before founding do good, a content company in 2023. Josh shares how his early passion for architecture led to a pivot into advertising, where he built a career leading major accounts and developing brand strategies. Now, as a queer entrepreneur, he focuses on helping businesses grow with purpose while advocating for LGBTQ+ professionals. He also discusses his upcoming business book, set to be published in 2025, aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ professionals and allies in their careers.

In this interview, Jake Taylor, founder of Functions and Gatherings, shares his inspiring journey of building a business rooted in authenticity and inclusivity. From formative childhood memories of creating special occasions to overcoming toxic work environments, Jake recounts the pivotal moments that led him to start a career in event planning with a focus on queer weddings. They discuss the challenges of navigating homophobia in the industry, the importance of finding community, and how living unapologetically queer has inspired others to embrace their true selves.

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.