Meet Our Chamber Members

MEET OUR MEMBERS

Members of the Gulf South LGBT Chamber encompass a broad range of industries and specialties, and they're leading the community effort to diversify business in our region. But don't just take our word for it. In these next pages, you'll meet some of the LGBTQ+ and ally business owners who are lending their voices, talents, resources and expertise to our common goal of creating an inclusive and equitable society.

Amy Bakay, SHRM-SCP

(she, her)

HR NOLA

How did you get started on your career path? I am a lifelong fan of Human Resources. After 20+ years in HR roles for various corporations, I opened HR NOLA in 2017 as an avenue to provide HR services to start-ups and small businesses in the area.

Tell us about your business. HR NOLA is a woman-owned, HR consulting business with offices in New Orleans and San Antonio. HR NOLA believes in celebrating our differences and making a positive impact on organizations across many industries.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of? This year, we’ve supported thousands of employees in over 15 different industries and in multiple states, with employment compliance and staff development, while trying to maintain our own business and personal health during a pandemic. I have never been more proud of my team!

How do you keep your job exciting? Every day is different, and every business situation in dealing with people is unique. Even situations that look similar on paper will be different in practice because our guidance is customized and helps businesses manage people efficiently. There is never a dull moment in HR.

What does being a member of the GSLGBT Chamber mean to you? Diverse businesses typically encounter barriers that challenge their startup and sustainability efforts, and having this Chamber's support and leadership helps with our growth opportunities. Not only does this benefit underrepresented businesses, but it also uplifts the communities where those businesses are located through developing business with job creation, increased wages and tax revenue. The economic impact and community support is significant!

Daniela Capistrano

(she/they)

DCAP Media, LLC

How did you get started on your career path? I pivoted into entrepreneurship after working as a digital producer and journalist for 10 years. In 2010, I incorporated as DCAP Media and took on client projects part-time until I was ready to run my business full-time in 2016.

Tell us about your business. At DCAP Media, our tagline is "Strategic Rebellion. Measurable Results." I only work on projects I am passionate about, where I truly care about helping my client-partners to thrive. Our service areas are digital strategy, audience development, strategic partnerships, virtual events consulting and production, and brand development. DCAP Media isn’t for everyone, and I like it that way.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of? I'm a Queer, non-binary, Latinx person running a successful business with clients nationwide. That’s something I celebrate, but what I am most proud of is my resiliency and the ways I help others. I budget to be a sustaining donor for local organizations including House of Tulip, a Black trans-led organization.

How do you keep your job exciting? I work across industries intentionally. I was told long ago that to be successful, I needed to have one lane. I do have one lane: DCAP Media, and we do whatever we want. But we have the same focus with every client: helping them thrive and scale during periods of transition, and supporting them in their evolving philanthropic goals.

What does being a member of the GSLGBT Chamber mean to you? It’s important to support LGBTQIA-led organizations. I'm also on the leadership council for the National Small Business Association, because businesses like ours help drive the economy, and I wanted to advocate on behalf of other business owners on Capitol Hill, which is one of my long term goals.

Laurie Richmond

(she, her)

Your Promo Paradise

How did you get started on your career path? It all started as a young teenager when I began working for my dad at his printing company. Along with my siblings, I learned the business from the bottom up. I loved the promotional products side of business and saw the potential, so the desire to start my own promotional products company was always there. After over 30 years in the printing industry, the opportunity presented itself in the fall of 2013. Thus Your Promo Paradise was born.

Tell us about your business. At Your Promo Paradise, we enjoy making life easier for the busy executive by finding just the right products to achieve their goals. Be it an employee on-boarding package, holiday gift baskets, corporate apparel or special occasion items for distribution, we enjoy catering to their brand and making them look good. And, naturally, we provide full printing services such as catalogs, brochures, posters, banners and direct mail campaigns.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of? Making personal connections with my clients and truly getting to know them. That familiarity leads to understanding their needs and being able to recommend and deliver exactly what they want.

What does being a member of the GSLGBT Chamber mean to you? As an LGBTQ+ activist and member of the community, I always feel it’s important to stand up and be counted. I immediately became a member of the Chamber, and within six months of starting my business, became a certified LGBT Business Enterprise through the NGLCC. Being a member keeps me connected to other LGBTQ+ business owners, professionals and our allies.