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.

Keyveona Mitchell

Creating a more inclusive workplace comes with time. The reason that I say this is because a lot of beauty professionals seem to start by working out of their homes. Then, they tend to find a professional workspace. When I started out providing hair services, I started out of my home simply providing a clean work area in my living room or kitchen for me to work. After I gained Enough exposure and my clientele had grown, I started taking it more serious. As time went along in my journey, my goal was to be more professional and make what I do into an actual business. I started by coming up with a name to represent myself and proving an actual booking site for clients to book on. Read more>>

Audrey Loeb

I believe that it’s our responsibility as Casting Directors to assist in the portrayal of a larger range of diversity on screen and onstage. My personal approach and methods of improving inclusivity in the world of Casting are heavily influenced by my upbringing in Los Angeles and my Irish/Jewish heritage. Growing up in LA, I was consistently surrounded by a vast array of cultures and diverse groups of individuals. Whether it was in school or my daily life, I found myself wanting to explore the commonalities and differences amongst communities. Turning this exploration inward, I began taking a closer look at my Irish and Jewish backgrounds. Read more>>

Bria Ferguson

The season I’m currently in my business is building a community that matters. There have been many times where I have felt like the outsider or misunderstood because of how I look or just being in a male dominated space. My goal has always been to inspire others and add value where I feel it’s needed. My advice to other creators would be to remember your why and also be open to feedback from other peers who feel the same as you when it comes to lack of brown skin acknowledgement in this space. Read more>>

Corey DeRushia

I try my best to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable having and sharing their opinions. The recording industry can be very male dominant. Though it is becoming a more inclusive space, historically engineers are predominantly male. Being a male myself, I’ve had to learn vicariously through the horror stories from many clients about the struggles of female and non binary people in the industry. They are often belittled, talked down to and generally “mansplained” to. I do my best to remain an exception to that behavior under all circumstances and to learn from my mistakes, as they inevitably will happen. Read more>>

Jeri Perkins

Valuing differences is they key to creating inclusive workplace environments. Every person and individual is different and what makes them unique is a strength and not a deficit. Person-first language acknowledges the individual first. Therefore, to create a sense of belonging in the workplace the environment needs to be accessible to all individuals. Thus, creating a workplace culture that employees can navigate safely and with confidence is essential. Furthermore, interns at practicum sites and employees alike should not have to navigate the workplace in fear or threat of retaliation for defying the status quo. Lastly, conflict resolution will always be feasible in work place environments where peoples difference are appreciated. Read more>>