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.

Whitney Maehara

When my business partner James Fung and I took over the NB Design Group in 2017 the focus was to maintain the legacy and success that the company had built since its infancy in 1988. As we’ve established our footing it has become ever more important for us to think about the larger role we play in our industry and the community as minority business owners (POC, female & LGBTQ+). As creatives in a niche industry it is not lost on either of us how lucky we are to be where we are today. Read more>>

Aditi Wardhan Singh

Aditi Wardhan Singh helps companies create a more inclusive workspace by leveraging her books, workshops, and expertise in multiculturalism and diversity. Here’s how: 1. Tools for Empathy and Understanding Aditi’s books provide stories and frameworks that encourage readers to reflect on diverse experiences, fostering empathy and cultural awareness. Through stories addressing bullying, identity, and self-acceptance, employees gain tools to better understand colleagues from varied backgrounds. Read more>>

Ashley Hasker

I would say the most important advice is: Promote Diversity in Hiring! Broaden recruitment channels to reach diverse talent pools. Consider partnering with organizations that focus on underrepresented groups. Then make sure you have mandatory educational trainings on inclusiveness available for all leadership and employees so they can understand how to operate effectively in that environment. I experienced a workplace before where no safe space was created for employees who looked like me to discuss any challenges without the fear of retaliation. It was uncomfortable and dreadful. The leadership team had lack of knowledge on how to collaborate with other cultures and it divided the company vs created a community. Inclusivity isn’t just about policies-it’s about creating a culture where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. Read more>>