From Uplift to Unplug: A Friday Reflection for LGBTQ+ Business Owners

We made it to another Friday friends, and this week has been rough for me in my personal life outside of work, but writing these blog posts 3 days a week, really helps me center my thoughts and be grateful for being able to share my passion in this business and marketing consulting for our lgbtq+ community. On a selfish, personal note, we found out this week that my mom's newly diagnosed lung cancer has already made it to her brain and we are not sure if we have 6 more weeks or 6 more months to make this time special for her. I would appreciate you keeping her in your thoughts and understanding if I have to miss a post or two over the next coming weeks. But let's put a smile on our face and be excited for a week lived well and some skills to take sometime, whenever you get time off, to recharge and keep being your awesome selves.

When One Rises, We All Rise: Community Over Competition

You know that electric feeling when someone you admire wins big? That warm, fuzzy spark that says, "Yes! We did that" even when it wasn’t your victory? That right there is community. And for LGBTQ+ business owners, it’s not just feel-good fluff, it’s our survival strategy.

The entrepreneurial grind can be lonely, especially when you're building something as personal and identity-rooted as an LGBTQ+ brand. But here's the tea: success doesn’t have to be a solo sport. In fact, it shouldn’t be.

Imagine a garden where each plant tries to outgrow the others by stealing their sunlight. Chaos, right? But when each one grows in harmony, supported by the same soil, watered equally, the whole space flourishes. That’s what "community over competition" looks like in real life. It’s not about shrinking so someone else can shine. It’s about shining together and being brighter, louder, and prouder with our community.

Why It Matters In a world that still tries to sideline queer voices, building a network of mutual support isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. A LinkedIn study found that 70% of people hired in 2023 landed jobs through connections. Networking isn't just about business cards and cold emails, it's about belonging. "We rise by lifting others," said Robert Ingersoll. It's more than a quote—it's a call to action for our community.

How to Make It Real:

• Shout Out Loud: Feature a fellow LGBTQ+ entrepreneur on your socials this week.

• Collaborate Creatively: Host a pop-up with another queer-owned brand or co-create content.

• Give Without Keeping Score: Offer a helpful tip or resource, no strings attached.

Lifting others up doesn’t diminish your spotlight. It amplifies it.

Now Breathe: The Art of Doing Nothing

After a week of building, networking, creating, and showing up, it’s time to hit pause. And I mean really pause.

We live in a hustle-obsessed culture where rest is often seen as weakness. But let me flip the script: rest is resistance. For LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs constantly pushing boundaries and fighting for visibility, the simple act of doing nothing is a power move.

Doing nothing doesn’t mean you're lazy. It means you're wise enough to know your worth doesn’t hinge on constant output. It means you've realized that burning out doesn’t prove anything, except that you forgot to refill your own cup.

Reclaiming Rest as a Right Studies show that rest improves creativity, decision-making, and even business outcomes. According to the American Psychological Association, regular rest lowers stress, reduces mental fatigue, and improves focus. That’s not laziness, that’s a strategy.

And if you need a permission slip, here it is:

"Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective." - Doe Zantamata

How to Master the Art of Doing Nothing:

• Turn Off Notifications: Seriously. Airplane mode is your bestie.

• Sit Outside and Stare: No podcast. No journal. Just vibes.

• Nap Without Guilt: A 20-minute nap can do wonders.

Let your mind wander. Let your soul breathe. Let the silence speak.

Wrapping It All Up: Let This Be Your Ritual

So here we are, looking back on a week of connection and creation. Let Friday be your bridge between doing and being. Celebrate the wins of your community. Cheer louder, collaborate boldly. And then.......pause......Breathe.......Be.

Remember: you don't have to hustle your way into worthiness. You already are. And that, dear reader, is the most revolutionary act of all.

Until next Friday, stay bold, stay bright, and don’t forget to rest......Thanks for those well wishes for mom.......Scott