We recently connected with Lizzy Layne and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lizzy, thanks for joining us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

In my previous role, I helped establish a volunteer-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) task force. Our focus was to create initiatives that embrace DE&I, both internally and at company conferences and events. While working on developing these DE&I best practices, I identified several gaps that hadn’t been considered at conferences, such as gender-inclusive restrooms, closed captioning for presentations, accessible color combinations, and a lack of diversity in speakers and event panelists. My team and I were able to set new DE&I standards for conferences and events, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable environment for all participants. My advice for anyone working to build a more inclusive workplace is to be mindful of all the potential needs to be addressed and to be cautious of companies that claim to prioritize DE&I, but do so only for appearances, without truly putting those practices into action.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an Artist and Creative Producer specializing in brand strategy, marketing, and long-term company growth with a focus on increased revenue. I started my career as an artist with a passion for creating. I was introduced to graphic design while studying Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, with a focus on painting and printmaking. I started my professional journey in Los Angeles as a designer for Rockstar Energy Drink. Since then, I have worked in several industries including food & beverage, fashion retail, skiing/outdoors, and nuclear energy. Over the years, my career has grown and I progressed from a Junior Designer to the Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of my own Creative Agency and Design Studio, based in New Mexico. When I am not working on my design career, you can find me painting in the studio or creating posters and merchandise for bands and live music festivals.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my current business partner when I commissioned him to help me build my portfolio website. During that collaboration, we quickly realized not only how compatible we were on a personal level, but also how complementary our professional skills were. At the time, we were both working as individual freelancers, but we saw that combining our talents would allow us to offer clients a much broader range of services and more comprehensive support for their company growth.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that the harder you work, the more successful you will be. I have always worked harder versus smarter, which has lead to a complete state of burnout. The hustling, “girl boss” culture can prove to be detrimental to your health if you are solely focused on working and overworking and not taking proper care of your mind, body, and soul. Learning to take breaks, take time to do things wiser, and not work until the point of physical and mental exhaustion is a much more effective way to progress in your career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lizzylayne.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lizzylayneart
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lizzylayneart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzylayne/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizzylayneart