One of the most powerful things about being a business owner is the ability to create a work environment according to your own principles. So many of us have worked within a company or organization and been disappointed by the way things were run, the way team members were treated. So, we wanted to ask some fantastic business owners and operators how they’ve gone about creating a more inclusive workplace.

Adaobi Ezeadum

Advice for creating a more inclusive workplace: 1. Foster a culture of respect and empathy: Encourage open dialogue, active listening, and understanding among employees. Promote a safe space where everyone feels valued and heard. Read more>>

Niki McClain

When I started in real estate, I had to seek people to help me. I always felt bad asking more than a couple of times to the same person because I knew they had their own business to run and wouldn’t get any financial benefit out of helping me. So when we started C7, a strong community was the driving force behind the company. A place where people would be seen, heard, and valued. Read more>>

Leslie Cove

I have been working with senior leaders on creating and supporting thriving teams for six years now and we always need to talk about equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) . Often, the leaders I work with have inclusion in their strategy but they struggle with implementation or understanding their own role in supporting equity initiatives. I was getting requests for advice and it prompted me to start Wild Rose House. Read more>>

Nagela Dales

One of the things I teach companies to do is include design justice in their project management. That may sound strange or something unfamiliar. How do you exactly do that, and why would you need to do that? Read more>>

Theresa Parker

Food Inclusivity is lacking in most workplace environments. Quite few people in the workplace are left out when it’s time for celebrations including food, conferences, trainings, and holiday parties. I attended a conference this year and there weren’t any vegan selections for the event. Several attendees and sponsors didn’t have anything to eat during a four hour program. Read more>>