The Business Gay

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with California licensed attorney and tax professional, Braden Drake. Braden works primarily with online and creative small business owners through his law firm, the Not-Your-Average Law Firm and his online programs and memberships. He’s also the host of the “Unf*ck Your Biz” podcast and is the author of his book by the same title. When not doing business things, he is an avid runner, triathlete, CrossFit enthusiast, and home cook. When not doing those things, he's probably taking naps on his patio in San Diego, or watching shows with his husband and three dogs. Watch on YouTube --- ► ProBonoOntario.org - Free legal advice for those in Ontario Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: NotAvgLaw.comBraden on IGUnf*ck Your Biz Podcast --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Andrew Gurza. Andrew is an award winning Disability Awareness Consultant and the Chief Disability Officer and Co-founder of Bump’n, a sex toy company for and by disabled people. Their work has been featured on BBC, CBC, Gay Times UK, Huffington Post, The Advocate, and Out.com just to name a few. Today Calan is talking with Andrew about bringing access to businesses in a truly inclusive way and what you can do at your company to make it even just a little bit more accessible and inclusive. Watch on YouTube *EXPLICIT WARNING: Some of the topics talked about in today's episode are a bit spicy* --- ► Today’s Sponsor is OpusClip - Generate Social Clips from Long Videos Today! Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: AndrewGurza.comDisability After Dark PodcastAndrew on IG --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with small business marketing coach, Lauren Tilden. Lauren teaches small business owners how to do better marketing more consistently. Her podcast, Making Good, explores all things marketing, mindset, and doing good through small business. As an ex-corporate marketer, Lauren fell in love with small businesses through her first small business, the plant-inspired stationery business Good Sheila. A couple of years after starting Good Sheila, she took the reins of the retail shop her mom owned, Station 7. She lives in Seattle with her wife Kate and two young kids, Casey and Mari. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is ConvertKit - Start Your Email List Today! Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: LaurenTilden.coMakingGoodPodcast.com/100promptsLauren on Instagram --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Real Estate Investor and Entrepreneur, Jason Muth. Jason stepped away from corporate life after decades of work at some of the biggest media companies in the US including Comcast, NBC Universal, and iHeartMedia to name a few. Jason became a full-time entrepreneur in 2022 when his ongoing real estate investing side hustle became more profitable than his corporate life. In 2023, he launched Prideaway Stays, a boutique gay-owned, tech-driven short-term rental co-hosting business for homeowners and guests in historic and magical Provincetown, or as the gays call it “P-Town.” With a commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and supporting LGBTQ causes, Prideaway Stays enhances the vacation rental experience for both homeowners and guests. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Castos - Start Your Podcast Today. Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: PrideAwayStays.comThe Real Estate Law PodcastJason on LinkedIn --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Sam Naylor. Sam is the Chief of Staff for Deloitte Canada’s Consulting Technology Executive, as well as the firm’s National Pride ERG Co-Chair. On the side, Sam is a Venture Partner for Chasing Rainbows and provides operations/strategy advice to a handful of start-ups and scale-ups. Outside of work he is the Director of Gradient Spaces - a 2SLGBTQIA+ Startup Founders Program - plus serves on the Board of Directors for QueerTech. His vision and mission is to unlock Canadian Venture capital for 2SLGBTQIA+ founders. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Ownr - Start Your Business Today! Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: Gradient Spaces WaitlistQueerTechChasing Rainbows VCVancouver VC Event --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the founder of Advisor AI, Arjun Arora. Advisor AI is a AI-Technology startup designed to increase student engagement and satisfaction by providing personalized academic guidance and career recommendations. Based in San Francisco, Arjun is on a mission to empower every student to realize their boldest career dreams. With over a decade of experience in AI, enterprise software, and career advising, across Datarobot, Opentext, Robust Intelligence, and Drexel University, Arjun is committed to building a world-class, people-first, impact-focused company that provides high-quality career development insights to everyone. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is SurferSEO - Improve Your Websites SEO with AI! Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: JoinAdvisorAI.comArjun on LinkedIn --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with co-founders of Level Studio, Vinh Le and Luca Campacci. Level Studio specializes in creating unique, functional, residential interior design projects with an exciting, enjoyable and collaborative design process inspired by their client’s story. They continuously innovate and redefine the possibilities of interior design, shaping environments that inspire, captivate, and endure. They authentically build and maintain trust throughout their insightful design and construction process with constant communication to creatively design your space in a memorable and enjoyable way. Vinh and Luca aren’t just partners in business, they’re also partners in life as well. Having been together since university, they began Level Studio out of their parent's basements and have grown it into the recognized brand it is today. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Ownr - Start your business today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: Level-Studio.ca --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with entrepreneur, Swish Goswami. Swish is the heart and soul behind Surf, a loyalty platform shaping ethical consumer connections and data collection. As CEO, Swish has woven Surf into the fabric of internet browsing and worked with giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Gaming, raising over $8M and sealing two impactful acquisitions. Beyond the boardroom, he co-founded the “Track Limits Podcast,” all about Formula 1 racing. Swish is an accomplished author, K-Swiss ambassador, League of Innovators Board Chair, and passionately helps guide organizations through his angel fund AGEX Capital. His journey is studded with accolades like Startup Canada's Young Entrepreneur, LinkedIn Top Voice, and Plan Canada's Top 20 under 20. Beyond the titles, Swish is a storyteller at heart. He's shared his wisdom on TEDx stages 4 times and taken part in over 300 global events, making entrepreneurship a deeply personal voyage for Swish. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is ConvertKit - Start Your Email List Today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: JoinSurf.com --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with entrepreneur, CEO and Co-Founder of Hangtight, Armando Vera Carvajal. Hangtight is an AI-powered social planning app that is transforming how people come together in life. This is Armando’s second startup and he’s been in the Austin founder ecosystem for 10 years. Originally from Mexico City before immigrant to America at age 4, Armando grew up in McAllen, a city in South Texas on the border with Mexico. He later moved to Austin to study at the University of Texas. He has also studied in France and Singapore, and enjoys world travel along with adventure sports, such as mountaineering and white-water rafting. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, Armando also serves as a mentor and advisor to many entrepreneurs from diverse, minority, and disadvantaged backgrounds across industries and geographies. His ultimate goal in life is to help humanity heal. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Castos - Start Your Podcast Today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: Hangtight.liveHangtight for iOSHangtight for AndroidArmando on LinkedIn --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with...himself? Today's episode is going to be a little different. I usually have a guest I'm interviewing but today I wanted to share with you a workshop I recently did on the importance of SEO for small businesses. This episode is from the live recording of that workshop where I share practical tips about SEO, why SEO is important, and how it can truly benefit your business if you commit to it. If you want the full picture I suggest you check out the accompanying YouTube video to follow along with the slides I share. You'll still be able to grasp a great understanding through just the audio though so don't worry if you prefer to listen instead of watch. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is SurferSEO - Skyrocket your organic traffic! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: ahrefs.comWebsite Speed Test --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Nik Varlamov and Benjamin Gibson from Toronto Creatives. Toronto Creatives is a multidisciplinary content creation and marketing agency located in Toronto, Canada, that help their clients internationally achieve their goals through high-quality content, storytelling, and strategic marketing campaigns that they custom-design and tailor to each client. Nik and Ben are both partners in business and in life, and are Proud members of the Canadian 2SLGBTQI Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is PartnerStack - Affiliate Marketing Made Easy. Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: TorontoCreatives.com --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

A study done by StartOut found that LGBTQ+ founders created 36% more jobs, 114% more patents, and 44% more exits, despite raising 16% less funding compared to the average cis founder. In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Brian Richardson. In March 2023, Brian was named the CEO of StartOut, the national nonprofit organization that accelerates the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed, and shape the workforce of the future. Previously Brian worked for Lambda Legal, Google, the Democratic National Committee, the U.S. Senate and as a public school teacher. He earned his MBA from UC Berkeley and his BA from the University of Chicago. Brian reads voraciously, dances like no one is watching, loves to travel, and currently lives in Chicago with his 10-year son, Nico. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Ownr - Start Your Business Today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: Startout.orgBrian on LinkedIn --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

It's clear what the LGBTQ+ community wants from marketers and companies targeting them for business: do the work. We're over the lip service and once-a-year pinkwashing. It's time to put your money where your mouth is and hold the line with us all year round and not only when it's easy or profitable to do so, because when times get tough we don't have the luxury of being able to retreat from the line. After all, it's our lives. In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Co-Founders of Do The WeRQ, Kate Wolff and Graham Nolan. Do the WeRQ brings people across the marketing industry together to foster connections, share experiences and collaborate on cultural transformations that support the advancement of LGBTQ+ creative talent 365 days a year. Because only when queer marketing talent is inspired, mobilized, and celebrated by brands and marketing leaders, will queer cultural creativity translate into meaningful business solutions. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is SparkLoop - Start Generating Email Leads Today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: DoTheWeRQ.comKate on LinkedInGraham on LinkedIn --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Yousuf Allidina. Yousuf is a marketing leader and consultant in the B2B technology space who has over 12 years of experience developing and honing demand generation and digital marketing strategies for leading technology brands, particularly in the conversational AI space. Currently, he heads up Account-Based Marketing at LivePerson, a leading Conversational AI brand. He's passionate about fostering inclusive and empowering corporate culture and advocating for LGBTQ representation in the workspace so that people can feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is SparkLoop - Lead Generation On Autopilot! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: Yousuf on LinkedIn --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45% of small businesses fail in the first 5 years of business and only about 25% of new businesses will ever make it to 15 years or more. But what can be done to improve these numbers? In this episode of the Business Gay podcast, that’s what host Calan Breckon is going to be talking about with today’s guest, Business Consultant Inbar Madar. Inbar is a seasoned consultant equipped with over a decade of executive corporate experience. She now utilizes her experience in roles like Head of Brand and Global Sales Director to empower small businesses to foster their own growth and success. Inbar's main goal is to reduce the staggering closure rates for self-owned businesses and is driven by a commitment to aiding minority-owned businesses and ensuring their longevity. As a business consultant, she offers tailored strategies and insights for the unique demands of each client and guides entrepreneurs toward sustainable profitability and success. With a strong emphasis on empowerment, education, and support, Inbar aims to reshape what entrepreneurship looks like, by fortifying the foundations of small businesses and helping turn aspirations into achievements. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is SparkLoop - Grow Your Email List Faster! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: MiBusinessConsulting.comStartOut.org --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with entrepreneur, Paulo Trindade. Paulo is the owner of Paulo’s Cake Shop - the first Roll Cake Store in Canada. The Roll Cake, known in Brazilian Portuguese as Bolo de Rolo, is a typical dessert from the Pernambuco state, located in the northeast of Brazil. It’s the adaptation of the Portuguese Bride's Mattress cake, which is a rolled sponge cake filled with almonds. Upon arriving in Brazil, the Portuguese bakers changed the filling to the native guava fruit which Paulo brought to Canada when he immigrated to Toronto from Brazil in 2016. Paulo’s Cake Shop is a certified diverse Supplier by the Canadian 2SLGBTQI Chamber of Commerce and a huge supporter of the community. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Ownr - Start Your Business Today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: Pauloscakeshop.com --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with A.J. Stewart, the Operations Manager For Supplier Diversity at Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, also known as the CGLCC. As a subject matter expert for Supplier Diversity, A.J.'s goal is to connect diverse entrepreneurs to a broad network of Canada's largest corporations with an invested interest in diversifying their supply chains, as well as fellow diverse owned businesses. IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) is a family business for A.J. In his role at the CGLCC, he is passionate about advocacy for diverse & marginalized communities holistically. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Ownr - Start your Business today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: CGLCC.caA.J. on LinkedInThe CGLCC on LinkedInSupplierDiversityTVAbout the CGLCC --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with mentor specialist, Jennifer Petrela. Jennifer is a mentoring expert at the Mentorat, Québec’s Mentorship Accelerator. A dynamic speaker and avid learner, Jennifer studied and worked on four continents before settling in Montréal, Quebec, where she implements mentorship programs that promote equity and the inclusion of diversity. Jennifer is herself a mentor and mentee in constant evolution. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is OpusClip - Create shorts from your long-form content in 1 easy click! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: MentoratQuebec.orgJennifer Petrela on LinkedInCGLCC OUT for Business Mentorship ProgramFuturpreneur Mentoring --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the Creative Director of Bulldog Productions and the founder of The Bow Platform, Matthew McLaughlin. Over the last 15 years, Matthew has led Bulldog Productions as a director and producer in developing commercial campaigns, organizing charitable efforts, and creating original concepts for primetime network television and streaming platforms. Matthew has an intimate understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking, backed by the financial expertise to help make any project a reality. The Bow, which Matthew founded, is an ad-driven streaming service that will feature elevated original content created for queer people by queer people. The Bow will also offer a user experience community with social media functions and interactive resources that will revolutionize queer living and create connections on a global scale. Best of all, The Bow is not hidden behind a paywall making it accessible to those who need it most. The Bow is a platform where allied corporate sponsors will have the opportunity to join forces to support true excellence in North American 2SLGBTQI+ film and television. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is Castos - Start Your Podcast Today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: TheBowPlatform.caMatthew on InstagramThe Bow Platform on Instagram --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the president of Pink Media, Matt Skallerud. Matt has been specializing in LGBTQ online marketing for over 25 years and it all began in 1995 with the launch of GayWired.com, which became one of the top 3 LGBTQ websites worldwide. Having worked with companies, large and small, he’s now focused on the most cutting-edge global innovations in programmatic ad buying, social networking, and Web 2.0 technologies. Matt has supported the community in many ways throughout his career including being a former Board Chairman of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and he served on the boards for Travel Gay Canada and the LA LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. He is actively involved with key national LGBTQ organizations including the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, Out Professionals, and Lambda Legal, just to name a few. Watch on YouTube --- ► Today’s Sponsor is SparkLoop - Grow Your Email List Today! Get a FREE Website SEO Audit from Calan: CalanBreckon.com/audit Join the email list for news and updates --- Links mentioned in this episode: PinkMedia.LGBTMatt on LinkedIn --- Key Takeaways for quick navigation: LGBTQ marketing