The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) takes pride in our ability to bring together our LGBT business owners even during times like these. Rhode Island Service Company (RISC), a company providing paralegal services to corporate legal departments and small law firms, is just one Certified LGBTBE® that has been able to use this unprecedented time to their advantage.
“I have made more connections through the NGLCC in the last few months than I have made through any other means in the last three years,” explained founder Todd Richard-Peckham. “Most recently, I participated in the NGLCC Legal Industry Council Zoom Conference and was able to connect with a law firm that sponsored the program that is interested in hearing more about the work that I do.”
Richard-Peckham was an office manager and paralegal at a small law firm in Providence, Rhode Island prior to launching RISC.
“I’m proud that I was able to start my business in 2017 while I was caring for my two elderly parents in my home, both of whom were sick with cancer,” he said. “They have since passed, but were encouraging and supportive right up until the end.”
While the NGLCC has over 50 Certified LGBTBE® suppliers in the Legal Industry, Todd shared with us what makes RISC stand out.
“I have an incredible commitment to work and take tremendous pride in doing the best possible work for my clients at all times,” he said.
What makes RISC even more dedicated is their refusal to let these uncertain times slow them down.
“Over the next year, I hope to bring on one additional paralegal and to expand my practice to cover family law, estate planning, and probate,” he explained.
As for advice Todd would give to fellow LGBT business owners in the process of starting their own entrepreneurial journey:
“Go for it! I was afraid to quit my job and start a new business, especially given the timing, but I knew I had experience, knowledge, and skills to be successful at my job and trusted in that. It worked.”
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To read more about the work that other Certified LGBTBE® suppliers do, visit nglcc.org/blog!
By Maxine Turner
