Mike Dorsey & Chih Lin are the Dumpling Dudez. They share their inspiring story of leaving their safe and comfortable engineering careers to start a successful small business making dumplings.
“If I can create all this achievement for other people, maybe it’s time for me to take a chance on myself and invest in myself instead of investing in other people’s passions and dreams.”
Their conversation includes the challenges of building a business in the middle of a pandemic and the importance of building and maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner. The guests share their personal experiences, challenges, and strategies for dealing with difficult situations. and the power of taking a risk to follow your dreams.
Links:
The Dumpling Dudez Website
Catch the Dumpling Dudez on Instagram
The Dudez on Facebook
The Dudez on Linked In
Being LGBTQ and Starting a Business
Starting a business is no easy feat. It takes a ton of passion, dedication, and straight-up hard work. And when you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ community, there may be some extra obstacles to overcome. But lots of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have been able to launch some successful businesses and even found a sense of empowerment while doing so. If you’re considering making it happen, here are some tips:
First, embrace your identity. Your identity can be a huge aspect of your brand and what sets you apart. Incorporate it into your business in a way that feels authentic to you.
Next, connect with the community. Networking is super important for any business owner, but especially for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Connections within the community can provide a ton of support, resources, and mentorship opportunities.
Thirdly, build a diverse team. Look for diversity in race, gender identity, and sexual orientation when building your crew. Not only does it foster an inclusive workplace, but it brings different perspectives to the table.
Stay informed and know the laws and policies that might impact LGBTQ+ individuals, both locally and nationally. This can help advocate for your business while staying within legal boundaries.
Lastly, don’t forget to celebrate Pride! Incorporate your identity and what it means to be LGBTQ+ into your business operations. You can start partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations or even add some rainbow colors into your branding.
There’s no need to go at it alone, there are plenty of resources out there for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. There are LGBTQ+ chambers of commerce, mentorships, and opportunities for funding that are specifically for the LGBTQ+ business community. Just remember that success is defined in many different ways and financial success is just a small piece of it. Making a positive change in your community and the world is definitely a success in itself.
