Everywhere is Queer! Building an LGBTQ+-specific brand with Charlie Sprinkman

In this episode, Madeline interviews Charlie Sprinkman, the founder of 'Everywhere is Queer,' a platform aimed at mapping queer-owned businesses worldwide. Charlie shares their journey from growing up in conservative Wisconsin to founding a resource that now lists over 12,000 queer-owned businesses. They discuss the inspiration behind the platform, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the recent launch of their mobile app. The episode also delves into the importance of community support, the impact of visibility for queer individuals, and the evolution of Charlie's brand. Additionally, Madeline and Charlie talk about the upcoming projects and future visions for 'Everywhere is Queer,' including a newly launched job board and plans for further expansion into various community resources.00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless00:51 Meet Charlie Sprinkman: Founder of Everywhere is Queer03:04 Charlie's Journey and Inspiration04:34 The Birth of Everywhere is Queer05:29 Challenges and Experiences on the Road07:55 Building the Everywhere is Queer Community14:41 Monetization and Growth Strategies19:10 The Importance of Supporting Queer-Owned Businesses25:33 The Importance of Visibility and Representation26:42 Personal Stories and Legal Challenges27:56 Celebrating Queer Spaces Across the Globe29:34 Navigating Burnout and Entrepreneurship32:43 Building a Supportive Entrepreneurial Community40:42 Future Visions and Expanding Resources41:42 Closing RemarksFinding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry. Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry.