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.

Sunny Stroeer

My company AWExpeditions (AWE) is unusual in the mountaineering space in that we are an expedition company for women, by women. Mountaineering is still a very male-dominated activity, particularly when it comes to multi-week expeditions in the big mountains. Yet AWE is staffed exclusively by women, and we take great pride in assembling all-women teams for big backcountry adventures. Read more>>

Joe Toto

I am all about being inclusive. It is a unique way to think in the business and networking Big money world , where most things are exclusive and there is an attraction to being involved with or being exclusive. BUT I feel that being inclusive in the work place and in life brings much great riches and rewards. The diamond in the rough is out there and by sharing and caring we all win! Read more>>

Ash Koehling

As a wedding photographer, I want to ensure everyone being photographed has an opportunity to be represented, especially during their big day. When I first started my career, I realized a lot of wedding websites, brands, and magazines had limited representation. Where were the people who looked like me? What about my husband, who looks very different from me? I realized how non-inclusive the industry can be with their image. Between styled-shoots and models, I noticed there was a lack of real people who did not fit the specific beauty standards of the industry. Read more>>

Aura Lillian

I have definitely built my clientele base around empowerment, safety, and self-acceptance. My first shop was cliquey and toxic, it didn’t take long to spot the dangers in this industry; creating safety and genuine inclusion for my clients (and for my team as well) laid the foundation for my passion behind this work. We build trust with every interaction, I know exactly how it feels to be iced out and gaslit in toxic environments, and it can be scary for some to even walk into an intimidating tattoo shop, best believe they’ll be feeling like a million bucks leaving my shop, because we celebrate YOU. Read more>>

Ember Marr

Creating a more inclusive workplace is a journey that takes active effort, commitment, and learning. Here are some insights based on my experiences: Encourage diverse voices: It’s important to make all employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas and perspectives. This can be done by fostering a culture of open communication and respect. Read more>>