I'm not Target or Bud Light. This is a story of choosing not to do business with someone out of principle for transgender rights.

Folks tend to advocate for supporting small businesses, and I think that’s great. But oftentimes, the smallest of the small businesses are forgotten in these advocacy efforts: the self-employed. Know a freelancer? Here are some tips for how you can support them (even if you don’t have the money or a reason to hire them).

Business is already political. The biggest corporations in the world have puppet strings on our politics. So allow me to explain why politics are at the forefront of my small business.

You’re familiar with the phrase “Your actions speak louder than your words.” But in today’s tense political environment, what you don’t say about the issues is quickly becoming more significant than anything else. Because in an extremist political atmosphere, you cannot straddle the division. When you try to remain neutral, your silence starts to become suspect.

If you’re still feeling reluctant to involve yourself in politics, I’ve got some important info to share with you. Whether you’re interested in politics or not as a civilian, if you’re a business owner your interest or disinterest is irrelevant. You have to engage.

Advocacy is not a niche industry for extremists. It’s not an industry at all. It’s a public right— for everyone. Yet a fear of causing offense, hurting relationships, deepening a social divide, or a lack of care keeps reasonable folks from having the courage to be public advocates.