{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Improving Financial Security for the LGBTQ+ Community with Debt Free Guys David and John Auten-Schneider","description":"Brian Thompson chats with Queer Money podcast hosts and Debt Free Guys founders David and John Auten-Schneider. David and John have more than a decade of experience helping the queer community thrive financially through their podcast, website, and emails. On the episode, they discuss the importance of being intentional with how you choose to grow and engage with your audience. They also open up about some setbacks they\u2019ve experienced as entrepreneurs and tips they\u2019ve learned in their decade-long entrepreneurial journey. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses have a purpose beyond profit. David and John both define a mission-driven business as one that is focused on a greater purpose than just making a profit. Whether it\u2019s using the income from the business to contribute to a cause or running the business itself to create an impact, mission-driven entrepreneurs know they are putting in the work for a reason higher than just financial success. \u201cWhat is the motivation behind getting up and putting in the 16-hour days or 60-hour weeks?\u201d David asked. \u201cEveryone should have the right to be able to achieve financial success and be able to have fulfillment with that, but when you have another mission that is contributing to the reason that you get up and do what you do, that is what makes your business a mission-driven business.\u201d For David and John, the mission of Queer Money is to try and improve the financial security of the LGBTQ+ community. \u201cThe stronger we are as individuals, including our financial strength, the stronger we are as a community, and the more time, money, and resources we have to be able to protect and fight for our rights,\u201d John said. Build your audience before your product. Before David and John started their Debt Free Guys brand, they wanted to write a book but were told by agents that they first needed to build an audience. They launched the Debt Free Guys blog as a way to share smart debt management advice while also growing an audience. In doing so, they realized the need for LGBTQ+ voices in the personal finance community, which in turn led to the Queer Money podcast. \u201c\u2018Build it, and they will come\u2019 only works in the movies,\u201d David said. \u201cYou will not survive if you create a product and you don\u2019t have a built-in audience who has a desire and need for it.\u201d Don\u2019t forget to create an email list. In the fast-paced world of modern entrepreneurship, it\u2019s easy to get distracted by new opportunities or social media trends as a way to grow a business. Unfortunately, success on most platforms is determined by the current algorithm and chasing success on every platform is a losing game. \u201cThere are so many shiny disco balls to go at,\u201d David said. \u201cFind out what you can do to stay in the center of your world, or your business is going to look like a scribbly mess because you keep chasing after everybody else\u2019s center of the world instead of your own.\u201d David and John recommend focusing on one or two platforms that connect with your mission and your audience. They also tout building a good, old-fashioned email list as a consistent and reliable way to reach your audience. \u201cWhat has consistently been a great money driver for most folks over the greatest duration has been growing your email list,\u201d John added. \u201cI would suggest that anybody who\u2019s going to go down the virtual business path focus as much energy and attention on growing your email list. That\u2019s your list. You can take that list anywhere.\u201d Resources + Links Queer Money Podcast Episode 11: 4 Keys to Winning the Midlife Career Change Queer Money Podcast Episode 31: 3 Surprises, 3 Ah-has, and an Awesome Money Quote Queer Money Podcast: Website, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Debt Free Guys: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast  Brian Thompson, JD\/CFP, is a tax attorney and certified financial planner who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too. ","author_name":"Mission Driven Business","author_url":"https:\/\/btfinancial.com\/podcast","html":"