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.

John and Mark X Cronin

We promote inclusion in several ways and have many stores to share: Read more>>

R&D Deluxe

Put your people first. Read more>>

Zaynah

I’m all about making workplaces inclusive, and my journey has taught me why it’s so important. Whether I’m producing music in a or styling hair, I always aim to create a comfortable and creative atmosphere where everyone feels safe to express themselves. With 13 years in hair and 8 in music production, I’ve gained a lot of experience. Read more>>

Marissa Eschenburg

An inclusive workplace starts with your attitude, choices, and how you communicate. Read more>>

Ashley Storman

In my 15 years of experience in higher education, I’ve been deeply committed to advocating for students, faculty, and staff from oppressed backgrounds. One pivotal experience that significantly shaped my perspective on creating inclusive workplaces occurred when a colleague and I collaborated to address racist and inequitable experiences reported by underrepresented students. In this instance, we took a proactive approach by collecting and analyzing data to identify specific needs and address equity gaps, particularly for Black, Latinx, and Muslim populations. Read more>>

Brigitta Blair

One of the biggest ways to create a more inclusive workspace is to build a diverse environment with diverse leaders. Creating mentorship programs, requiring internal bias/harassment training, supporting your coworkers, building a diversity and inclusion task force, and hiring sensitivity readers/testers are all ways to be more inclusive. Read more>>

Meagan Farris

Creating a more inclusive workplace is a big deal, and it’s something I’m pretty passionate about. Before we get started, I want to recognize my own background and underscore the paramount importance of acknowledging my privilege as a white, straight-passing woman. It is not just important, but absolutely crucial to leverage my experiences to passionately encourage others to actively listen to the voices around them and fervently advocate for inclusivity in their own unique ways. Read more>>