Jul 20Kevin Shah: building better leaders through an Empathy GymBy John Kregler, StartOut DEI goes beyond hiring. While attracting and retaining diverse talent is a pivotal and impactful first step, it is not the end for an organization. Now more than ever, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are vital to ensuring that people are valued for their authentic…4 min read
Jun 30Nyle Fisher’s ventures in cosmetics and sharing pride throughout the monthBy John Kregler, StartOut Finding the right mentor can sometimes be one of the most complex parts of entrepreneurship. Mentors help founders strategize beyond their product or service, provide expert knowledge with real-life experiences, and help form lasting relationships that can carry them through the most challenging parts of the…5 min read
Jun 23Michael Diego’s vision to bring underrepresented content creators into the mainstreamBy John Kregler, StartOut “I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I didn’t know it would happen as quickly as it did.” Michael Diego (he/him) didn’t go to business school or have the formal experience he thought he needed to launch a startup. But like many of the founders…4 min read
Jun 7Melissa Green’s story of finding safe spaces through coffeeBy John Kregler, StartOut Melissa Green (she/her) celebrates pride with every cup of coffee. The founder and CEO of Rise Above Coffee, Melissa is a dedicated coffee supplier who intentionally supports the LGBTQ+ community. Her #coffeewithacause mission focuses on spotlighting a new LGBTQ-focused nonprofit each month, with a percentage of…4 min read
May 31Nancy Do: A founder’s dream to democratize cannabisBy John Kregler, StartOut Founders, particularly the underrepresented kind, tend to not shy away from a challenge. Whether in formulating a business idea or pitching to a group of investors who might not look like them, the difficult moments are part of the process. Nancy Do (she/they) is no stranger…5 min read
May 23Tony Duong’s mission to help immigrant students achieve the American DreamBy John Kregler, StartOut Tony Duong (he/him) knows that identity is one of his biggest strengths. He’s never wavered from embracing his authentic self in entrepreneurship. In fact, Tony will tell you to this day that being an out, Asian founder makes him all the more formidable. Tony is the…5 min read
May 17Marcie Cheung: From fashion to healthcare as a queer Asian entrepreneurBy John Kregler, StartOut Marcie Cheung (she/her) is a founder at heart. Throughout her life, she’s held multiple positions in varying industries. She’s a hard worker, a determined entrepreneur, and someone who embodies the spirit of our community. Marcie came to StartOut as the founder and CEO of KindMind, a…5 min read
May 5Atom Nguyen: building sustainable solutions from Vietnam to New York CityBy John Kregler, StartOut May 1st marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, about 9.9% of all businesses in the United States, or about 1 out of 10 businesses, are Asian-owned. The numbers for Asian entrepreneurs are even slimmer. …4 min read
May 3StartOut Founders Over 45: Jennifer LeSar is tackling the housing and homelessness crises in the Golden State (and beyond)By John Kregler, StartOut This April, we recognized StartOut founders over 45 to show that entrepreneurship doesn’t care who you are or where you are in life, the only thing that matters is your passion for your ideas and the roadmap to get to where you want to be. For…6 min read
Apr 25StartOut Founders Over 45: Emily Kleckner’s road to The TransverseBy John Kregler, StartOut We often say that the journey to entrepreneurship is different for everyone. It’s true whether you’re a founder fresh out of school or a later-stage entrepreneur looking to begin a new chapter. And for many folks, entrepreneurship is just a matter of falling in when the…5 min read
