Hello team LGBTQ Success Syndicate - I wish each of you a weekend and may this upcoming Pride season, as applicable in your region (Portland for example, is really July) be one of expansion for all. Peace and Love Danielle

Good Morning Syndicate Fam. Just a quick FYI, I have my second Cataract Surgery on my Left Eye this morning, so I will not be at our Coffee Chat this morning. If any of you have a chance to go in and chat with other members, please have fun and enjoy a morning chat. Next week @Lisa Ronquillo will be leading the Success Chat on AI and how to use ethically and soundly for your business. One of the things that came out of our poll a few weeks back, was you wanted more referrals from our members here in the Syndicate. Well today's Strategy Lab is about making that a little more pointed and easier for everyone... Thursday Strategy Lab: The “Referral Trigger” Audit Most business owners say, “I’d love more referrals.” But here’s the strategy question: Have you actually made your business easy to refer? Today’s lab is about creating one clear “referral trigger” — a simple sentence someone can remember when they meet your ideal customer. Instead of saying: “I do marketing.” “I’m a coach.” “I run a small business.” or “I make products.” Try building this: “Send people to me when they need help with __________, especially if they are __________ and want __________.” Example: “Send people to me when they need help turning their podcast into a business tool, especially if they are LGBTQ entrepreneurs who want more visibility and better leads.” Your action step today: 1. Fill in your referral trigger sentence. 2. Post it in the comments. 3. Read at least three other member posts and tag someone you know who might be a good connection. Strategy is not just what you sell. Strategy is making sure your community knows who to send your way and why. *** Remember there is a "Referral" Tab above where you post how best for members to refer to you, and a "Testimonials" Tab to shout out your fellow members when they help you out.

Hi team, I've put together a public resource I'd love your eyes on before it goes wide. "Beyond the Binary" is a three-page public safety handout designed for our communities — LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, advocates, and anyone who needs clear, factual guidance right now. It addresses the federal government's increasingly aggressive use of counterterrorism language against LGBTQ+ and especially transgender people, and translates that into practical, actionable information people can actually use. It covers: • What the government documents actually say — and what the facts show • How the language of "extremism" and "terrorism" is being deployed, and why it matters • Concrete steps to protect yourself digitally, legally, and civically • Know Your Rights guidance if you are ever questioned • Key organizations and resources I'm seeking your feedback before I share it broadly — across community platforms, organizational networks, my Substack, and LinkedIn. The goal is for this to be genuinely useful and shareable: something people forward, post, and print. The PDF is attached. Please take a look and send me your thoughts — edits, additions, anything that doesn't land right, or communities or resources you think are missing. Thank you for everything you do. Danielle

Happy Monday Success Syndicate Fam! I had to take 4 days off to pull myself back together. I Was not in a good place last week, with our member's and my personal frend, @Jonathan Shuffield's, death, but I also had my first Mother's Day without my Mom after care-giving the past 10 years and it's the 1 year anniversary of her death in a few short weeks. Still in a bit of a funk, but going to try to push thru this week. Let's start by what always put's a smile on my face, 3 new members to the Success Syndicate. Please welcome @Janiqua Utley from NYC, who is an entrepreneur, with over 10+ years of experience in both residential and commercial cleaning. @Dennis McKeon is from Florida and operates in the health care industry, working with hospitals, radiology and cardiology. And @Kat Brunner is from Minnesota and offers physical and virtual coaching, that helps queer professionals move from corporate survival to intentional career design. I hope you will all take a minute to introduce yourselves to the group and let us know how we can help you grow your business with referrals and community.

We're growing again Syndicate Fam! Please welcome @Amanda Millar to the group. She's from the UK and works particularly in Scotland do online and in person service in terms of training coaching speaking etc.. Her skills include being a Leadership & inclusion advisor and ADHD coach, embedding inclusive practice into culture, leadership and performance. Please give her a warm welcome and Amanda please start a post to let us know a bit more about you. For Today's "Tuesday Tool For Growth," I'm sharing “The 3-2-1 Loyalty Loop” I can't tell you how many times I get phone calls from past contractors asking me use their service again or get something new, especially in the Spring/Early Summer. This includes window installers, landscapers, kitchen upgraders, etc.. and it's one way to grow your business, but cold calling is the worst!! Most businesses only contact customers when they want a sale. However, to build a strong community and lay a foundation of trust with your customers, stay visible between purchases all year round. Here’s today’s retention tool: Every Week: - 3 Check-Ins: Send 3 quick messages to past customers or clients just to ask how things are going. Do not try to sell them anything. Tell them something reminded you of them and you wanted to say Hi, and see how they are doing. - 2 Spotlights: Publicly celebrate 2 customers, members, or collaborators on social media. You can respond to one of their social media posts and congratulate them or tell them why the post is good news. Just sing their praises and say why you were happy to work with them. - 1 Surprise Value Add: Share one free tip, template, discount, referral, or helpful resource with your audience. This is where having a newsletter comes in handy or a mailing list. Just share the offer and let them come to you. As always, measure what offer's drives the most responses. Why it works: People stay loyal to businesses that make them feel seen, not sold to.