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.

Jess Williams

I began exploring photography in high school, and for a long time, it was a solitary pursuit. I spent hours walking through my neighborhood or traveling with my parents, capturing the world through my lens. It wasn’t until college that I was introduced to the vast diversity within photography, which led me to discover my passion for music photography. As I immersed myself deeper in the field, I realized that photography was no longer just an individual pursuit—it was about community. However, in the early stages of my career, around 2015, I often found myself as the only non-man in the photo pit at concerts. Sometimes, I’d be lucky to have one or two other non-men with me, but that was rare. Read more>>

Marissa Price

Creating a more inclusive workplace starts with recognizing that inclusion isn’t just a policy—it’s a practice that must be deeply woven into the culture and daily operations of an organization. My advice would be to start with listening. Make space for voices that have historically been marginalized and ensure they’re not just heard but valued and acted upon. Representation matters, but it’s just the beginning. The real work lies in creating an environment where people feel safe, seen, and supported to show up fully as themselves. Read more>>

Bob Ludke

In March 2025 I am publishing a book entitled, “Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation: A Better Future Through an Inclusive Economy”. The book will present compelling evidence that disability inclusion is not just about compliance or social responsibility—it’s a powerful catalyst for innovation, market expansion, and sustainable profit. Central to innovation is fostering inclusive workspaces – be they at startups or established, Fortune 500 Companies. Inclusive workspaces are both emotional and physical. Read more>>

Yibin Wei

Meet people at who they are and never give up learning. I attended New York University for my master’s degree and this is the most diver US campus to my perspective. The student demographic is equally distributed among different ethnicity and there wasn’t an ethnicity that predominates over others. The environment has significantly shaped my inclusiveness and caring personality. You can be whatever you would like to be. No one will judge you for who you are. There is the culture of curiosity where people learn to embrace the unknown and get motived to uncover the different narratives they’ve never imagined previously. Thanks to this experience, I have been able to carry this mindset to my current workplace where I work as a full-time professional for the first time. My current workplace is less diverse than my graduate school, but I believe the power of holding up to my principles and educating my students as much as possible. Read more>>

Alida So

After earning my bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Global Finance in Manhattan, I made the decision to move to a peaceful town in Bergen County, New Jersey. What initially seemed like a serene escape soon revealed a significant market gap: a lack of salons that catered to diverse hair types and needs. As someone who regularly relied on braiding and other specialized hair services, I quickly realized that the limited options available were not only inconvenient—often requiring long trips into New York City or further into New Jersey—but also reflective of a much larger issue. The scarcity of services for people like me spoke to a deeper lack of understanding and inclusivity in the beauty industry. Read more>>