In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Brian Thompson.

Brian is the Founder and Financial Planner of Brian Thompson Financial LLC, where he helps LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs build profitable businesses that reflect who they are and support the impact they want to make.

As a financial advisor, business strategist, and host of the Mission Driven Business podcast, Brian works with service-based founders who are building more than just a business. They’re building movements, communities, and legacies. He helps them bring clarity and structure to their finances so they can grow with confidence and stay rooted in their purpose.

Before launching his firm, Brian spent nearly a decade as a tax attorney. That background, paired with his own entrepreneurial experience, informs a planning approach that’s inclusive, strategic, and grounded in real life.

As a Black, queer financial advisor, Brian is especially passionate about creating space for diverse voices in business and finance—and showing that profit and purpose don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• btfinancial.com
• Brian on LinkedIn
• Mission Driven Business Podcast
• Brian on IG

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [03:04] Brian explains why entrepreneurs often think they must choose between purpose and profit, and how both can exist together.
• [04:28] Discussion on creating different tiers of services to balance accessibility with sustainability while maintaining impact.
• [06:47] Brian’s advice on pricing: charge what you think you’re worth and then increase it by 25% to counter undervaluing yourself.
• [09:47] Introduction of the Profit First method to manage cash flow by allocating income into profit, owner’s pay, taxes, and expenses.
• [12:08] Key lessons from Brian’s tax attorney background: understanding how taxes differ for entrepreneurs is crucial to avoid costly mistakes.
• [13:32] How entrepreneurs can prevent burnout by designing a business model that supports personal well-being and sustainability.
• [14:47] The importance of long-term financial planning, balancing immediate needs with future goals, and ensuring the “ladder is against the right wall.”

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the founder and CEO of BetterTable™, Ben Liegey.

BetterTable™ is a Vancouver-based benefit company empowering kitchens to boost profits, cut food waste in half, and achieve Net Zero emissions. Ben has over 10 years’ experience in food sustainability and in 2024 he was named one of Business in Vancouver’s 40 Under 40. At this years CGLCC Summit, Ben also won the 2025 Emerging Exporter of the Year award as well as the EY Pitch Competition in partnership with Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• BetterTable.com
• FoodSynergyMovie.ca
• Ben Liegey on LinkedIn
• Join the CGLCC Mentorship Program (Applications close Aug 18, 2025)

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [2:51] Shocking stat: About half of all food in Canada is wasted, totaling over $50 billion annually and significantly contributing to climate change.
• [4:09] Why food waste is a rare triple-win issue: it can reduce costs, lower environmental impact, and improve social outcomes all at once.
• [5:35] Key impact metrics BetterTable™ tracks: cost savings, carbon emission reduction, and meals saved, with a focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• [6:55] Launch of the BetterTable™ app to automate food audits and track sustainability metrics remotely for kitchens.
• [10:50] Success stories: some clients, including hotels, have cut food waste by 30% and saved $20,000 annually.
• [16:11] Three sustainability tips for restaurants: train staff, track data, and get creative with ingredients to reduce waste.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the Founder and CEO of Coconut Breeze Media, Juliana Olarte.

Coconut Breeze Media is a new media solutions agency that brings innovative content marketing and AI automation for the travel and hospitality industries. With a background in public relations, creative storytelling, and technical strategy, she brings a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to every project. Juliana also serves as Media Director for Space Coast Pride, championing inclusive communication and digital outreach. Her prior roles include leading AI initiatives at Dicapta and managing national travel PR campaigns at MMGY NJF. Based in Cocoa Beach, she’s passionate about building meaningful connections through media, technology, and purpose-driven storytelling.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• CoconutBreezemedia.com
• Juliana Olarte on LinkedIn
• Make.com
• Softr.io
• N8N.io
• Lovable.dev

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [2:46] What Vibe coding is? AI that builds websites and assets from text prompts.
• [5:52] Who is vibe coding for? It’s great for simple projects but not reliable for complex builds.
• [9:48] Big advantages of Vibe Coding: fast, easy, and no coding needed for prototypes.
• [12:20] Risks: no version control, easy to break projects without backups.
• [16:29] Start with safer tools like Softr, Airtable, and Make.com.
• [18:26] How Make.com automates tasks like lead generation and data management.
• [22:38] Future of Vibe coding. AI will get smarter but security risks remain.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the Founder & CEO of Ops Machine, Mitch Schwartz.

Ops Machine is a CGLCC-certified consultancy that helps small to mid-sized organizations adopt AI intentionally—amplifying human strengths rather than replacing them. Mitch has spent years mastering process design and team dynamics, now guiding organizations from "Where do we start?" to measurable AI wins while balancing automation with human impact.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• OpsMachine.co
• Mitch on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [02:35] How leaders should focus on guiding teams through AI changes instead of fearing job loss.
• [06:16] The shift from "knowledge work" to "wisdom work" and the key skills needed: connection, discernment, and emotional clarity.
• [11:44] The first question to ask when adopting AI is, “What problem do you think AI can solve?” then map processes together.
• [14:25] Big mistakes include top-down decisions, skipping collaboration, and not mapping current processes.
• [18:22] Start using AI by playing with ChatGPT, watching tutorials, and practicing prompts to build skills.
• [23:45] The second key step: map your current processes with your team to see where AI fits.
• [24:36] Final tip: document processes and involve your team to make AI implementation easier.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the Owner of Wine by Renée, Renée Sferrazza.

Renée is a passionate and dynamic force in the wine industry. A Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, she began her journey over a decade ago and has since immersed herself in every facet of the wine world. As the founder of Wine by Renée, she leverages her global network to create engaging TV segments, videos, articles, and events that resonate with both the wine-curious and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Her mission is to make wine approachable and enjoyable by breaking it down into “simple sips.”

Renée is a familiar face on Canadian television, regularly appearing as a Wine Personality on Global’s The Morning Show, CHCH, and Breakfast Television. Her reach extends internationally through platforms like the Canada’s Got Taste YouTube channel and the Tasted Television show DrinkUp. In print, she pens The Wine Effect, a monthly column for Distillery District Magazine, and contributes to ELLE Gourmet Canada, Foodism, Holr Magazine, and other notable publications.

As the voice behind Wine by Renée, one of Canada’s largest wine-focused Instagram accounts, Renée offers a fresh, romantic, and down-to-earth take on wine. Her content invites everyone to embrace the joy of a great glass—without pretension.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• WineByRenee.com
• @wine.by.renee on Instagram

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [2:42] Renée shares how she transitioned from wine importing to launching Wine by Renée, including the discrimination she faced as a queer woman in the wine industry.
• [8:00] Discussion on how AI is impacting wine communication and how Renée uses it as a tool to free up time and boost her business.
• [12:24] Renée talks about building her personal brand during the pandemic and how she grew her Instagram following from 900 to over 27,000.
• [14:59] Calan asks how Renée balances creativity with the business side of partnerships and storytelling.
• [16:37] Renée explains her role as a translator in the wine world and why she avoids negative reviews in favor of context and accessibility.
• [17:35] A conversation about Barefoot’s Pride wine sparks a broader discussion on accessibility, inclusivity, and the purpose of wine in everyday life.
• [18:48] Renée shares practical advice for turning a passion into a brand, including getting paid for your work, offering value to loyal clients, and letting go of ideas that don’t sell.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Ricardo Gattas-Moras.

Ricardo is a dynamic marketing strategist, award-winning corporate leader, and founder of Poppy Marketing and Consulting. With over 17 years in Fortune 500 tech under his belt, Ricardo now focuses on empowering small businesses, particularly Latino and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, to build bold, authentic brands through storytelling, automation, and smart strategy. He's also the author of The Rainbow Bee, a children's book that celebrates identity and courage.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• Poppymarketingandconsulting.com
• Ricardo on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [1:57] Small business owners waste time on tasks like emails and lead tracking that can be easily automated.
• [3:59] Aiming to appeal to everyone weakens branding, clarity and focus are key.
• [7:42] Use ChatGPT to build client personas and make automation feel personal and human.
• [10:28] A welcome email sequence works for both large companies and solo entrepreneurs.
• [12:12] Embrace your identity as a strength. Authentic branding attracts ideal clients.
• [14:07] With just five hours a week, focus on clear messaging, email automation, and lead capture.
• [20:01] Test different AI tools to find what works best and build a custom automation stack.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the co-founder of Techies of Tomorrow, Ramin Shadmehr.

Techies of Tomorrow is an AI tech platform working to make assisted AI secure and helpful for everyone. They specialize in helping businesses manage rapidly evolving tech, particularly focusing on AI integration, cloud applications, and digital transformation. They’re also the creators of Roughly AI, a secure and adaptable AI solution that allows organizations of all sizes to innovate and grow without needing an in-house AI team.

Ramin is a seasoned technology developer, educator, and researcher with over 15 years of experience in education, media, and tech. He holds a PhD in Educational Technology from Simon Fraser University, where he researches the effectiveness of virtual reality in job interview training for autistic adults.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• TechiesOfTomorrow.com
• Ramin Shadmehr on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [2:51] Ramin suggests small businesses approach AI with curiosity—start small, explore safely, and learn.
• [7:04] Calan encourages playing with AI tools like ChatGPT to understand their value before full adoption.
• [10:29] Ramin explains how to spot AI hype—watch for over-promises and flashy marketing.
• [16:24] Misconceptions stem from fear and lack of knowledge; basic AI education is key.
• [18:01] Choose AI tools by researching trusted sources like LinkedIn Learning and company backgrounds.
• [21:20] Stay relevant by staying adaptable—pivot quickly and embrace change.
• [24:37] Calan shares how using Arc Search helps ease into AI without sacrificing privacy.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Jamie Engelhardt.

Jamie is a coach, strategist, and the founder of Wild&, where she helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs build brands that feel like home. Her approach blends emotional depth with practical insight, grounded in the belief that the most impactful businesses are built from the inside out. Jamie is passionate about helping people lead with authenticity, connect more deeply, and create work that truly reflects who they are.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• Wild& Website
• Jamie Engelhardt on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [2:55] Focus your messaging on your audience, not yourself
• [4:48] Start with your brand and truly understand your audience
• [6:43] Speak directly to your ideal clients to attract more of them
• [7:35] Use your brand values to keep tone consistent everywhere
• [10:49] Keep visuals consistent to build trust and recognition
• [12:22] Don’t let AI shape your voice—train it to reflect you
• [16:42] Let your core values guide all brand messaging

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