This week on The Shades of Entrepreneurship podcast, I welcomed a serial entrepreneur, Adam Lippin, who is on a mission to ensure everyone feels heard through the emotional wellness app, HearMe.
The HearMe app connects people with shared lived experiences for emotional and mental well-being or simply to get things off their chest.
Our conversation got me thinking deeply about inclusiveness and its critical role in building successful entrepreneurial endeavors that genuinely support others.
Read: Building Inclusive Businesses: How Supporting Others Leads to Entrepreneurial Success
What is inclusiveness, and why is it important?
Inclusiveness is the practice of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized—whether due to physical or mental disabilities, race, ethnicity, or any number of other factors.
For entrepreneurs, inclusiveness should be a priority because, simply put, it makes good business sense.
When people feel included, they contribute more fully to society, and your business can tap into a broader, more engaged community.
Example: when my wife and I purchased our first home, we were intentional about creating a space that was accessible to everyone, including our friends and family members with disabilities. The first thing we did was pour a concrete walkway to ensure those in wheelchairs could comfortably access our home.
The goal was to make our space inclusive to all—and this principle applies to business as well.
Inclusiveness in the Workplace
In the workplace, inclusiveness means fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and their unique contributions are acknowledged. It’s about creating a culture that embraces differences and leverages them to enhance the organization's success, according to SpiceWorks.
However, globally, many individuals face barriers to full participation in economic and social life due to discriminatory systems. This is why entrepreneurs should care—when people are excluded, businesses and economies suffer.
According to The World Bank, the loss in human capital wealth due to gender inequality alone is estimated at a staggering $160.2 trillion.
The marginalization of groups based on factors like race, disability, or gender identity costs society and the economy on a global scale.
For example, children with disabilities in developing countries often face severe barriers to education, and in some countries, basic human rights such as healthcare are being criminalized.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Take Action
As an indigenous Mexican American, I’ve experienced firsthand the impacts of exclusion and discrimination. My ancestors were here long before many arrived, yet to this day, various forms of bias persist.
When groups feel excluded or marginalized, they opt out of markets, services, and spaces—and this harms businesses.
The global economy, as well as local communities, suffer when inclusion is neglected.
Exclusion impacts everything from social unrest and homelessness to inflation and public health.
When individuals are shut out, it’s not just those individuals who suffer—the ripple effects touch us all. And that is why inclusive business practices are not just ethical, but essential for sustainable success.
Building an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Community
I’ve spent over 23 years working in healthcare, an industry where inclusiveness is vital. A diverse staff serving a diverse patient base leads to better outcomes, and the same principle applies in entrepreneurship. Building inclusive businesses that embrace diversity is key to long-term growth.
As entrepreneurs, it’s our responsibility to create environments where everyone can thrive. Networking, sharing knowledge, and lifting each other up should be fundamental aspects of our approach. We’re all interconnected, and when we uplift one another, we elevate our entire community.
Instead of using others as stepping stones to climb higher, we should focus on helping each other succeed. After all, when we support others, we ensure that they will be there to support us when we need it most.
You Belong, and You Matter
I want to emphasize that you all belong here. Every one of you is important, and you have the potential to change the world. I truly believe that. When we foster inclusiveness, we all win—our businesses, our communities, and our economies grow stronger.
Remember, when we’re all included, we all succeed.
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