Empowering the Queer Community Through Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition: A Path to Growth and Independence – Muhammed Faruk
Edited by IB Anderson
Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition has proven to be a leeway to enable persons stand out especially those in the queer community.
Getting skilled and up to date with trends in various skills should be one of the greatest yearnings for young queer individuals. Hence, there’s a need to empower queer individuals thereby fostering their growth through entrepreneurship and skill acquisition. This can be achieved in various forms like:
- Organizing business training and workshops.
- Mentorship programs with queer-friendly professionals.
- Access to funding and capital resources.
- Organizing networking events and conferences to enable queer community interactions.
- Organizing online courses and webinars on business skills.
- Encouraging digital marketing and social media training.
- Organizing leadership development and coaching with skilled and already established members.
- Creating safe spaces for aspiring queer entrepreneurs.
- Celebrating queer success stories to encourage upcoming entrepreneurs.
Having said all of these, queer individuals have faced loads of harsh maltreatments, marginalization and discrimination in the society that has made many hide away from the society, instead of hiding, becoming very good at a skill will not only earn you respect but will make you so powerful and independent that even those who treated you badly before would love to associate with you. In as much as it may not be easy to start a business or learn a skill, it is very rewarding to give it a trial. Young queer members have loads of resources at their disposal and as such should take advantage of it.
The zeal to stand out professionally as a queer person should be a fire burning inside you that no one can quench. The world won’t see you unless you find your worth and stand out.
– Muhammed Faruk
It is very important to develop yourself as a queer person in the society because self-acceptance, empowerment, building confidence and self-esteem, also finding a community to give you a sense of belonging are the tools you need for growth. My experience over the years as a therapist has made me realize that you only grow by learning everyday. Each client I come across, my aim is to ensure they are well taken care of so I aim to enhance my craft but sometimes going for trainings are expensive; making it uneasy to enroll but those trainings are worth the while if you must grow and be best at what you do.
The just concluded training by Magic Hands that I was privileged enough to attend fully funded by The Equality Pathway has taken me through a journey of self realization. It has assisted me in ways like:
- Enhancing my skills and techniques to give my clients the best.
- Staying updated on the industry trends and the best and advanced practices to work with.
- Expanding knowledge of anatomy and physiology to ensure customer’s safety.
- Improving my communication and client assessment skills.
- Advancing my career prospects and earning potentials in the industry.
In essence, as a member of the queer community, you should strive to have one “WHY” in mind in everything you do, and that “WHY” should be “VALUE” you deserve a fulfilled life but for you to achieve that, something has to be given in exchange. And that is the value you bring to the table so don’t hesitate to grow.
Now my confidence has grown to another level and I can’t help but be grateful to The Equality Pathway for prioritizing my growth. I urge all queer persons out there to find a path and show their zeal in it. You can be rest assured that The Equality Pathway would support your dreams the best way possible, just stay true to yourself and SHOW UP!
