We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nikki Gane-Butler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nikki, appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Seattle and King County are facing a homelessness crisis. Data from the All-Home King County January 2022 Count Us In survey show a total of 13,368 individuals are experiencing homelessness, the majority of whom are people of color. Data also show that thirty-eight percent of people experiencing homelessness are women. For women who have recently transitioned into housing, the stress, fear and social isolation they felt while experiencing homelessness doesn’t end. Rather new stresses and fears emerge — can they afford basic household supplies, pay bills, or achieve financial stability to “keep the key” and maintain housing?

Founder and Director, Nikki Gane-Butler started Dignity for Divas (DfD) in 2012. Inspired by her own experience with homelessness, she felt moved to help other vulnerable women during a frightening and devastating time in their lives. Her belief that self-care is the first step on the road to rebuilding dignity and stability has been DfD’s guiding principle. Approximately 60% of the unsheltered women we serve are African American and People of Color and between the ages of 16 to 90 years old. Approximately 40% of women have experienced domestic violence. And at least 90% of women in our Welcome Home program have young children.
Dignity for Divas uses a three-tiered approach that emphasizes the core value of self-care. We operate the following programs in six cities (Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, Kent and Renton). Embedded in our three-tiered approach and key to our overall programming is access to one full-year of free monthly skill-building classes and self-enhancement workshops.
Approximately 72% of the women we support have remained housed for up to two years.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About Me: Hello, I’m Nikki Gane-Butler, the founder of Dignity for Divas nonprofit organization in Seattle WA. My journey from homelessness to founding Dignity for Divas, and subsequently becoming a community advocate, motivational speaker, and author, has fueled my passion for transforming the way we treat all unhoused individuals, with a particular emphasis on empowering and uplifting women in these challenging circumstances.
Having experienced homelessness firsthand, I understand the struggles and challenges that individuals in similar situations face daily. This personal experience inspired me to establish Dignity for Divas with the goal of bringing about meaningful change in the lives of the unhoused.

As a motivational speaker, I share my story to inspire others and raise awareness about the issues surrounding homelessness. Through my writing, I strive to guide women in transforming past traumas into opportunities for reinvention, helping them build a new life with a refreshed mindset. This process involves working through their current outlook and fostering a positive transformation towards empowerment and resilience.
As a community advocate, I am dedicated to fostering a more compassionate and supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness. My work goes beyond rhetoric, and I actively engage with communities, policymakers, and service providers to create tangible solutions that result in lifelong change and positive outcomes.

One of my proudest accomplishments is the development of a groundbreaking new service model tailored to support unhoused women and women who have recently transitioned into housing, aiding them in their journey to not only exit homelessness but rebuild their lives with newfound strength and resilience. This innovative approach addresses not only immediate needs but also provides long-term support, empowerment, and opportunities for those striving to break free from the cycle of homelessness.
In conclusion, the mission of Dignity for Divas is dedicated to creating a world where every individual, regardless of their housing situation, is treated with dignity and compassion.
Together, we can make a lasting impact, paving the way for a more inclusive and empathetic society.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a founder, I learned a profound lesson about changing my mindset, particularly in the context of growing up in survival mode. The impact of constantly being in survival mode during my formative years had a significant effect on the way I approached life. One pervasive lesson that I had to unlearn was the belief that there is never enough.

Growing up with a scarcity mindset, I developed a deep-rooted fear of scarcity and a constant feeling of lack. This mindset influenced various aspects of my life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors. It led me to make decisions based on the fear of not having enough resources, opportunities, or support.

The transformative lesson I had to embrace was recognizing the abundance that surrounds us when we shift our perspective. I learned that abundance is not solely about material possessions but encompasses opportunities, support networks, and personal growth. By acknowledging and appreciating the abundance in my life, I was able to break free from the limiting belief that there is never enough.

Changing this mindset allowed me to approach challenges with a more optimistic and resourceful outlook. It enabled me to make decisions not driven by fear but guided by the understanding that abundance and opportunities are attainable. This shift had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life, fostering a more positive and proactive approach to the challenges I encountered as a founder.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

During a pivotal phase of the organization’s growth, I faced a transformative moment that required a shift in my mindset and a crucial decision between succumbing to fear or embracing faith. At that time, the business had begun to expand, and I recognized that in order to foster sustainable growth, I needed to pivot from a mindset rooted in scarcity thinking.

As the organization flourished, I grappled with the realization that its potential was constrained by my individual capacity. The fear of relinquishing control and trusting others to contribute to the vision loomed large. However, I understood that without this shift, the organization would be limited in its ability to reach its full potential.

Choosing faith over fear, I made the conscious decision to pivot my mindset and open the doors to collaboration. I recognized that building a team of other professionals and leaders was not just a practical necessity but also a strategic move that would allow the organization to thrive beyond its current limitations.

This shift required not only reevaluating my role within the organization but also acknowledging the expertise and capabilities that others could bring to the table. I actively sought out professionals whose skills complemented mine, fostering a diverse team that could contribute varied perspectives and strengths.

The decision to include other professionals and leaders marked a transformative moment for the organization. It not only expanded our capacity but also enriched the collective vision and innovation within the team. This collaborative approach enabled us to serve a larger number of women in need, as the organization grew stronger through shared expertise, dedication, and a shared commitment to the mission.

In hindsight, this pivotal decision not only propelled the organization to new heights but also represented a personal growth journey. It underscored the power of embracing abundance thinking, where success is not a limited resource but a shared endeavor. By choosing faith over fear and pivoting towards collaboration, we not only achieved sustainable growth but also created a more resilient and impactful organization.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dignityfordivas.org
• Instagram: dignity_4_divas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DignityForDivas/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dignityfordivas/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dignityfordivas
• Youtube: Dignity4Divas @Dignity4Divas