Happy Friday, all!
This week, I had the pleasure of being a guest on Business First with Sonia Alleyne, and I want to share some reflections from that meaningful conversation. The episode, titled “Value and Gratitude,” dove deep into something at the heart of mission-driven entrepreneurship: alignment. Alignment with who we are, how we show up, and what we choose to build.
Sonia and I explored the journey so many of us take from corporate life to entrepreneurship, not just in search of autonomy, but in pursuit of spaces where we can fully be ourselves. And yet, even in business ownership, many LGBTQ+ and mission-driven founders still feel pressure to conform, mask, or silence parts of themselves. That’s why I say: alignment is everything.
It starts with self-discovery. Knowing who you are, what matters to you, and what lights you up. Then comes the courage to express that in the world—in your branding, your boundaries, your business model. And finally, there’s testing: testing your values in real time, through decisions, trade-offs, and opportunities. Do they hold up when money, visibility, or fear are on the line?
One moment in the episode that stood out for me was when Sonia and I talked about how often we inherit values from society, family, or past environments—values that may not be true to who we are. We have to pause, reflect, and ask: “Is this really mine?” From there, we get to decide how to lead, how to listen, and how to live.
We also touched on gratitude—not as a performative list-making exercise, but as a felt sense. Gratitude as a vibration. It’s a practice that brings me back to the present, especially on tough days. In a world that asks us to hustle and achieve, choosing gratitude, rest, and courage can be a quiet rebellion.
Takeaways from the Episode:
- Alignment begins with self-awareness and continues with intentional action.
- Values need to be tested through lived experience to become true anchors.
- Your identity isn’t a liability in business—it’s an asset.
Questions of the Week
- What values are driving your business right now—and have you tested them in real-world decisions?
- Where might you be hiding or minimizing parts of yourself in your work?
- How can you build more space this week for alignment—whether through rest, reflection, or bold action?
Tool of the Week
This week’s tool is the podcast episode itself. If you want to hear more about how I help LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs build profitable, aligned businesses, I invite you to listen to my conversation with Sonia Alleyne on Business First.
Listen here: FuturiMedia
Or watch on YouTube
I hope this conversation reminds you that you get to define success on your terms. You get to build whatever you want. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Until next week,
Brian