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Jacob Hyzer

@mrjacobhyzer

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Mover and a shaker in Detroit
Part businessman, part creative, full visionary

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National coming out day & why financial independence is so important to me:

I didn’t exactly come out on my own terms. At 18, my mom sat me down and cornered me about some things of mine that she had come across.
I remember in the moment feeling a warm flush to my face, anxiety bubbling up inside of me, and feeling trapped. I remember years of hidden guilt and shame feeling like they were being flushed to the surface.
My nervous system was activated, and my brain went into fight or flight and I was ready to protect myself.
When she asked me what this was about, I indignantly said, what do you think? I’m gay.

Her response and the brief conversation that followed was a painful moment that still haunts me to this day.
Without sharing the details, I will just say that I did not feel safe to stay in the house any longer.

I was very fortunate, because I had been working and saving money ever since I was seven years old. So when that day came, I knew I had the means to hold my head high and walk out knowing, that at least for the time being, I could take care of myself.
I was fortunate enough to have had the mindset, the work ethic, and the discipline to have been in a position to be able to support myself… That is not the case for everyone.

There are many LGBTQ+ people who do not have the money or the skills to pull themselves out of difficult, dangerous, or threatening situations. So if you’ve noticed the shift in my public stance lately and the work that I’m doing with the @tieslikeme organization, to help to educate and empower the LGBTQ+ community, so that they may advance in their professional careers, grow their businesses, and earn more money, it’s because I see the dangers of not being able to take care of ourselves all around me, I see the lack of opportunities many of us have had over the years, and I’ve heard the disempowering commentary thrown at us from people around the world for years and I’m fortunate enough to have had the mindset, work ethic, and a certain level of privilege in my life to be able to take my skills, experience, vision and network to help create opportunities for others in the community.
Stand proud and know, it gets better. by @mrjacobhyzer

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5 days ago

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9 days ago

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11 days ago

A rising tide lifts all boats — and that’s the vision behind what comes next.

Ties Like Me is proud to welcome Jacob Hyzer as our new Director of Community Growth & Engagement.

Jacob’s focus will be on creating more opportunities for LGBTQ+ professionals through networking, education, empowerment, and meaningful community connection — because when we help one another grow, we all rise.

From expanding our professional network to launching new educational Skill Sessions, partnerships, and opportunities to learn and connect, we’re excited to build the next chapter of Ties Like Me together.

More connection. More opportunity. More of us rising together. 🏳️‍🌈

Please join us in welcoming Jacob to the team. by @mrjacobhyzer

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22 days ago

I don’t always do things in a linear way.
42 years old, with an incredibly successful business career under my belt, having held global business roles that people go to school and get an MBA for, yet I did it all without a college degree.
So why now? I’m preparing for the second half of my life and almost everything looks different than it did previously. So I’ll be approaching it armed with education along with my experience.
I’m ready to meet a whole new network of people and learn all kinds of new things.
In addition, Michigan offers a program for adult learners without a degree to get their associates for free. Shout out to socialist programs 😉
I’m buckling in here for at least a few years because this is only the beginning of the next chapter and I have more exciting things I’ll be sharing over the next month or two.
Any tips for a college newbie? taken in Oakland Community College - Royal Oak Campus by @mrjacobhyzer

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23 days ago

Detroit LGBTQ+ community- Your next collaborator, mentor, client, or career opportunity could be sitting across the room from you.

I’ve been a little quiet on here, but I’ve been working on something I’m genuinely excited about.
I’m bringing together LGBTQ+ professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, and community members for an evening designed around something we could all use a little more of: real connection.
Because let’s be honest… traditional networking can be awkward. You walk into a room, grab a drink, scan the room, and suddenly realize you’re supposed to walk up to a complete stranger and somehow start a meaningful professional conversation. 😅
So I wanted to try something different.
✨ LGBTQ+ Professional Speed Networking ✨
You’ll meet new people every few minutes, have easy conversation prompts to get things started, and have the opportunity to connect with people you might never otherwise cross paths with.
Maybe you’ll meet a future collaborator.
Maybe a mentor.
Maybe a new client or business connection.
Maybe someone who opens a door you didn’t even know was there.
Or maybe you’ll simply meet some really great people who become part of your community.
That’s the point.
Come as you are. Bring your curiosity. Leave with new connections.
I’d love to see you there. 🏳️‍🌈 taken in Ferndale, Michigan by @mrjacobhyzer

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a month ago

Joy has been my favorite thing to wear lately. I’ve met so many new people this past year and have gotten actively involved into many things that bring me joy, and I’ve got a few big announcements and major life changes I’m going to share over the next few weeks.
After a year of quietly working on my healing, I’m ready to live loudly once again.

It’s gonna be Jacob 3.0 and I’m as ready as I can be. taken in Detroit by @mrjacobhyzer

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a month ago

15.5 hours of daylight, hope you enjoyed it☀️ by @mrjacobhyzer

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4 months ago

Your visibility matters and so do you 🤍🏳️‍🌈 by @mrjacobhyzer

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4 months ago

A lesson worth sharing as I commemorate 1 year back in The States, is that you can start over. You can leave a job, a marriage, move across the world or do all 3 like me, and it may feel scary and painful at times but it’s possible to develop new, deep relationships, to discover beautiful sunrises and sunsets, you can surprise yourself and be good at things you’ve never really done before. You can find joy again even after loss, and you most definitely can find love after heartbreak, although it may arrive in a different form, but it could be exactly what you need to get you through the tough times and bring you extra joy and fulfillment on the great days. Take the risks, try new things, fail, succeed, smile, laugh, cry and dance. Let yourself feel all the emotions and enjoy the beauty of being human.
Grateful for all love from my friends here this past year ❤️ as Spring moves forward I’m feeling a wave of renovation, excitement, vision and belief after a winter of those feelings hibernating. I’m starting to really look at everything that’s happened to me this past year as a blessing, and moving forward knowing that it in fact was. taken in Metro Detroit by @mrjacobhyzer

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6 months ago

All I want for Valentines Day is social justice…and a massage by @mrjacobhyzer

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8 months ago

Descobri um produto novo do Brasil, e agora uso todo dia! taken in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina by @mrjacobhyzer

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8 months ago