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.

Dr. Alisa Elliot

I have two goals and that is to provide personal care service for the aging and disability community and to bring workplace inclusiveness for young to middled aged adults with a disability. I work on these goals daily through my personal assistant business, Chrysalis Spectrum, and my foundation, Chrysalis Spectrum Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to teach administrative assistant job skills to young and middled aged adults with a disability by encouraging interpersonal relationships, job stability, and to teach a job skill that is typically outside of the service industry that can be done remotely or in person. Read more>>

Cindy Nañez

As a woman of color with a Hispanic husband and two beautiful children, diversity is my life. I encourage diversity through the staff I hire and the clients I serve. I work with women, men, and people of different races and ages. I am also a member of the Rotary Club of Clayton and A Company of Women, both very diverse. By fostering relationships with diverse people, I encourage others to do the same. Read more>>

Marisa Gonzales

As a small business owner, I work from home which is ideal for me because my family is my home. In other words, the love and laughter in our home create a well of inspiration and dedication to my craft. I have also created an environment that has inspiring imagery from my beautiful Latina culture (Frida Kahlo and Mexican paraphernalia as well as Native American and Middle Eastern tchotchkes throughout our home. Read more>>