What Every Founder Can Learn From Trans Entrepreneurs

Startups are already hard work; being openly transgender raises the stakes even higher

By Sarah Katari

Jumping into a brand-new startup can be a game-changing moment for any entrepreneur. Every stake across the board is raised: founders have to consider their financial well-being, work-life balance, and a real potential for mental health struggles.

Add being openly transgender into the mix, and the stakes are even higher.

It’s especially difficult for transgender and nonbinary folks to earn a living: Over 31% of the population live in poverty, 11% are unemployed, and 23% have been fired due to their identity.

While these numbers may seem to suggest working for ourselves is a viable solution, other stats point to the extremely high entry barriers we face. For example, transgender youth make up 40% of the United States homeless population — meaning, for many, starting a venture is difficult at best, and oftentimes completely inaccessible.

Those who are able to take the leap, though — like Dibs Barisic Sprem, the transmasculine founder of Dibs Fitness — have to consider the visibility required of founders, and decide whether to transition openly, when or if to come out, and…