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.

Izzy Polzin

As someone who cannot sit still and does not like being touched. I hate getting my hair cut, it sucks. It never looks how I want and I leave feeling worse than I showed up. Read more>>

Jenna Kapitan

As someone who runs a queer-owned business that caters to the marginalized LGBTQIA+ community, creating an inclusive space for clients is so incredibly important to me. Read more>>

Connor Gillivan

For the past 15 years, I’ve been building businesses online with remote teams. A big focus has always been company culture and making sure that everyone on the team (no matter where they’re located) feel empowered, motivated, and included in the growth of the business. Read more>>

Dr. Heather Sanders

An organization’s personality or culture must support needful, responsive changes in how they engage and interact with customers, the environment and one another. Read more>>

Leila Autrique

Inclusivity is not an option. We live in the 21 century and inclusivity and inclusion are a must. To create an inclusive workplace is easier than expected, analyze your business, process and see which area can accommodate inclusion. Read more>>

Valerie Marcano

I often find that leaders know that they have a diverse team before implementing specific strategies for inclusion. When discussing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) there are dimensions that are visible, and some that are not. Read more>>

Natasha Nurse, Esq

Absolutely! Building a truly inclusive workplace isn’t just a feel-good initiative, it’s a recipe for innovation and success. Here are key ways to build an authentic inclusive workplace: 1) Anonymous Feedback Channels & Focus Groups: Read more>>

Emily Addison

I currently work as a graphic designer in the book publishing industry, where I am the only black woman in my department. The publishing industry is notoriously homogeneous and to be frank notoriously exclusive of people of color. Read more>>