LGBT Perspectives on Entrepreneurship

The Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada held a series of Cross Border Sessions framed around the topic of entrepreneurship. Dr. Sarah served as a panelist for the LGBTQ+ Perspective Cross Border Session in January 2022.

Watch a recording of the session

LGBT PaneL

Lindsay Stewart Glor, of the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada, moderated the panel featuring:

  • Kailey Gilchrist | CEO, NONA Vegan
  • Sabrina Kent | Executive VP, Programs & External AffairsNational LGBT Chamber of Commerce
  • Dr. Sarah Skidmore | CEO, Skidmore Consulting
  • Logan Wick | Founder & CEO, OutBranding Promos

Key Moments

WEOC created a resource featuring key moments of the panel available for download. The highlights they share include the following:

  1. Let’s get started! Supplier diversity: Is it necessary? How are others in the LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship community navigating the system? (05:47)
  2. Certification and supplier diversity are intrinsically linked – the panel discusses making the most of available supplier diversity and certification programs and resources. (07:40)
  3. Entrepreneur Kailey Gilchrist shares her experience around finding the CGLCC, diversifying her own supply chain (13:03)
  4. When in an entrepreneur’s journey is the right time to start pursuing certification? (15:20)
  5. Logan Wick speaks to own experience with certification and the need to follow up withnetworking (19:35)
  6. Dr. Sarah Skidmore talks about the variety of certifications available and how networking conversations can open doors to diverse certifications (23:28)
  7. Sabrina Kent kicks off a conversation about finding and building networks – Is “networking” just another way of saying “connecting? What does that look like in a pandemic? (31:33)
  8. Logan Wick talks pandemic networking, intersectional allyship and connecting through conversations (36:51)
  9. Thoughts on mentorship within the entrepreneurial and LGBTQ+ community (51:17)

Dr. Sarah’s Thoughts on the Panel

“What an honor to be part of this amazing panel featuring the LGBT+ community within the discussion of American/Canadian business relationships. I can’t overemphasize the importance of diversity certifications for entrepreneurs who qualify. I’m proud to say that Skidmore Consulting is certified with the NGLCC (LGBT Owned), WBENC (Women-Owned), and DisabilityIN (Disability Owned). For entrepreneurs looking to build business connections, leverage diverse vendors/supply chains, and find community, I can not recommend enough the importance of certification! Thank you, WEOC, for the opportunity to participate in the conversation.” 

ready to strengthen the leadership of your team