We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rome Whittemore . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rome below.

Hi Rome , thanks for joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

Meeting my first client was actually such an amazing point in my life. I had been in transition for maybe a total of 6 months and was working for Apple at the time as a Genius.

I had a gentleman named James come in for assistance with his MacBook, and as I was assisting him a co-worker asked if I was excited as my surgery was coming up. I had this huge smile on my face and I said “yeah I literally can’t wait, I am so ready for this!” James, without hesitation asked if he could ask me a personal question and I said sure. He asked what surgery I was having and I told him I was having top surgery. James said that’s absolutely wonderful and he is happy for me.

Now, as you can imagine it wasn’t the response I was expecting, however his response made me even more excited because I had been on testosterone for six months at the time and I felt supported in who I was becoming.

James proceeded to tell me he worked for a local community college and they had a transgender individual come into the critical reading classes and speak occasionally, James stated that unfortunately the individual had to postpone their transition due to financial hardship and the well being of their family. James explained in his class the students read the book Luna which leads us through the life of a sixteen year old named Regan and how she keeps the secret of her older sister Luna’s transgender identity.

In the back of my mind I was saying there is no way I could do this, but that’s not what came out of my mouth lol. I quickly said without hesitation “Definitely so and I would be honored to speak about my transition, life as an transgender individual and how it correlates to the book Luna.”

A month later I was at Estrella Mountain Community College meeting with their Division Chair of Modern Languages and scheduling my first presentation.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Rome Khalil focuses on the reality and everyday life and struggles of a transgender individuals journey. There is no set agenda to change perspectives, but to respect perspectives. To be able to have different view points and at the end realize we’re human. To share the differences between a cisgendered individual and a transgender individual.

There are no scripts, it’s all raw and in real time with real answers. I strive to leave every interaction with at least 1 person willing to see a different perspective or being able to provide perspective and resources and support to those who may have family, friends, coworkers, or even themselves who are transitioning.

I want the world to know that my brand is me and I am my brand. Even in our differences we can find similarities and use those to bring a better understanding of communication of unknown topics, such as LGBTQIA+ and more specifically my favorite. The “T” in transgender topics to the world.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy I have used and that works for me is word of mouth. My business has grown because I am transparent in all aspects. I approach my presentations with no scripts so every interaction will not be the same interaction. I allow my clients to ask questions no matter how intrusive those questions are because that is how I build trust with my clientele. I ask questions to find out if there are specifics that my clientele would like me to go over. Taking the time to connect with people as people is what has continued my success.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I feel me not hiding any longer is what helped me to build my reputation within my market. It was me taking the fear of not living as my authentic self and not caring what others thought anymore. I made it about me and what I think about me, what makes me happy. I then turned that around and thought about others who also struggle, about how school boards argue over colors being worn on transgender day of visibility without knowing why the students are wearing the colors. . I thought about the person who sits at home depressed everyday because they can’t be themselves out of fear or being hurt by their family, not having friends.

I took all of that and decided to stand up for not only myself because I was once that person but for everyone in the best way possible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Rome.Khalil
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/Romekhalil
• Other: Snapchat: Iromephonehome Phone:623-562-6819 Email: [email protected]