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.

Yitong Wang

My advice for creating a more inclusive workplace is that there is not one already there, prepared for us. The key is to go out and connect to people from all backgrounds and then achieve an inclusive workplace. There are ways to get started—art schools, art fairs, artist residencies, and even just sharing any idea with friends and family who can listen to it and, perhaps, give feedback. Read more>>

Tanya Sanders Kelker

When most people think of an inclusive workplace, they think of focusing on making sure that everyone feels included and are not offended, but that it takes away from the morale and productivity that guides businesses forward. Inclusivity does encompass affirmative action efforts and the removal of bias, discrimination or unequal opportunities. While those things are important, being a small business sometimes even a micro business, those are not always the issues a leader may face in the workplace surrounding inclusivity. Read more>>

E’mani Maverick

I believe that individuality of our own self expression is what makes us who we are as people and restricting one’s creative abilities to live the life they desire as long as it’s not affecting one’s health should be considered desirable in all environments but that doesn’t exist often . Many Businesses correlate with rules guidelines and paperwork that overtime i have learned is ways to restrict the population of employees. Some people are more malleable and will at desperate times choose to revoke apart of themselves for the retention at their employment . Read more>>

Jeanne Mae

I’m a firm believer you need to meet people where they are. Once you understand everyone has a different way of processing information it will be a lot easier to meet employee’s/clients were they’re at and achieve the goal together. No-one enjoys working in a hostile environment where you are constantly being reprimanded for not getting the job done to an unrealistic expectation Set before you. Read more>>