This September, the International Franchise Association (IFA) launched the Franchising Pride Council, a new network for LGBTQ small business owners and employees from all across the country.
The Franchising Pride Council will provide opportunities for mentorship, foster discussions around best practices, and create a forum for sharing experiences to benefit others.
Attending the event was representative Chris Pappas (D-NH-1). He said, “Where the business community stands today is ensuring everyone has the opportunity to make it up the ladder.” One of the chief goals of the Council will be to encourage more LGBTQ entrepreneurship and make business ownership a more attainable goal for the members of this important community.
Mark Jameson, Executive Vice President of Franchise Development at FASTSIGNS and Council Chairman, said, “Diversity is a key part of franchising, and I believe this Council is such a big step towards expanding that hallmark of our business model to the LGBTQ community.”
The Pride Council was made possible by the franchising community coming together. “It was a group effort,” says Jameson, “and I couldn’t have done it without the help of IFA members Paul Pickett and Suzanne Beall, Esq.”