Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jackie Ferguson, Co-Founder of The Diversity Movement, located in Raleigh, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Diversity Movement offers a suite of employee experience applications that personalizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for your organization and delivers real-world business outcomes. We partner with organizations of all sizes around the globe to foster cultures of belonging that lead to sustainable business through innovation, increased market share, and profitability. Ultimately, we seek to provide the tools to create cultures where people are respected, supported, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Tell us about yourself
The Diversity Movement began as a course for professionals to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion tools into their business practices. After the spotlight on racial injustice resulting from the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, organizations were seeking a partner to lean into the cultures that employees and consumers were demanding. My motivation is to help create a world in which my daughter has every opportunity to live and work in environments of inclusion and respect and that there are no restrictions on the success that she is willing to work for. The work I do every day is for the next generation
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Creating, sustaining, and growing a business during the pandemic has been the biggest accomplishment and a team effort with our CEO, Donald Thompson, at the helm and supported by an incredible team of leaders and talented employees that drive our business forward. Personally, a colleague and I authored The Inclusive Language Handbook: A Guide to Better Communication and Transformational Leadership, which has been met with really wonderful reviews. Finally, the awards we've won from Inc., Forbes, and Fast Company have been a wonderful validation of our work.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's always difficult when you have to make the right decision for your organization, which sometimes is hard and misunderstood by your contributors. Entrepreneurs and business owners must think about, protect and drive the entire business to do their best to communicate those decisions thoroughly, but you often feel alone.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Discover what you love, what you're good at, and what the market seeks. Be prepared to work harder than you ever have to get that business moving. Keep a diverse network of smart people around you to guide you - you don't have to have all the answers, but it's important to know who does.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thediversitymovement.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thediversitymovement/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thediversitymovement/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diversitymvmt
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3a2RrCM
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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