Podcast Summary
Creating a culture of inclusivity leads to innovation and growth: Starting a business that caters to underrepresented groups can lead to success, the NSA values diversity, Delta rewards business travel, and HR providers support inclusive company culture.
Creating a culture that values inclusivity and self-expression in business can lead to innovation and growth. Sharon Shuta, the founder of OMA Beauty, shares her journey of starting a cosmetics company that caters to a variety of skin tones out of frustration with the lack of inclusivity in the industry. Meanwhile, the National Security Agency (NSA) is looking for exceptional individuals to join their team and contribute to world-class technology projects while enjoying flexible work schedules and professional development. For business travelers, the Delta Sky Miles Platinum Business American Express Card can help make business trips more enjoyable by offering rewards for travel. Lastly, companies that prioritize culture can fuel growth and realize their full potential with the help of HR providers like Insparity.
Personalized Beauty: A New Approach to Catering to Unique Needs: A new beauty brand offers customized formulas based on six different skin families, simplifying the shopping experience and ensuring better results for consumers.
The beauty industry often fails to cater to the unique needs of individuals, assuming a one-size-fits-all approach to skincare and makeup. However, a new brand is challenging this norm by offering customized formulas based on six different skin families, making it easier for consumers to find their perfect match. This personalized approach not only ensures better results but also promotes inclusivity, as everyone's skin is unique. Moreover, the brand encourages everyone, regardless of gender, to embrace makeup as a tool for self-expression and confidence. The brand's website simplifies the shopping experience by guiding users through the selection process based on their skin family and undertone, ultimately narrowing down the choices to a manageable number. This not only makes the process more intuitive but also empowers consumers to make informed decisions. Overall, this innovative approach to beauty emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the diverse needs of consumers, fostering a more inclusive and effective industry.
Lupita Nyong'o's advocacy for representation and access to quality cosmetics for people of color: Lupita Nyong'o's passion for representation led her to bring Revlon to Nigeria and fight for access to quality cosmetics for people of color. However, many African countries still lack access to cosmetics designed for darker skin tones due to societal pressure and lingering colonial influences, and some contain harmful ingredients.
Lupita Nyong'o's journey in the beauty industry was driven by her passion for representation and fighting for access to quality cosmetics for people of color, especially in African countries. Growing up, she was always an advocate for what she believed in, even if it meant being labeled a troublemaker. Her determination paid off when she successfully brought Revlon to Nigeria, and her career in the beauty industry took off. However, she noted that even now, many African countries still lack access to cosmetics designed for darker skin tones due to lingering colonial influences and societal pressure to conform to Anglo-centric beauty standards. This issue extends beyond just the lack of availability of appropriate products, with some containing harmful ingredients like mercury and hydroquinone. Nyong'o's story highlights the importance of representation and advocacy in creating a more inclusive beauty industry.
Foundation builds long-term success: Prioritizing brand foundation, even if it slows growth, leads to long-term success. Intimate customer connections during online sales can drive significant growth.
Building a strong brand foundation is crucial for long-term success, even if it means slowing down growth in the short term. The founder of a beauty company shares her experience of launching the business with major retailers, but discovering that their brand name was overshadowed. When the pandemic hit, the company saw a shift to online sales, allowing them to connect more intimately with customers and grow their e-commerce business significantly. The founder also shares that she chooses not to include SPF in her products to maintain their performance in deeper shades. Despite the challenges, the founder made deliberate decisions to prioritize building a solid brand foundation, leading to long-term success.
SPF Protection and Corporate Diversity: Individuals need personalized SPF protection, and corporations should publicly disclose diversity stats for inclusion and change.
SPF protection is a personal and unique requirement that should not be combined with other skincare products. The effectiveness and necessary SPF level can vary based on individual skin type, use of certain products, and sun exposure. Furthermore, Renee emphasized the importance of corporations publicly disclosing their percentage of black employees in leadership roles, as representation and inclusion are crucial for addressing economic inequality and promoting social change. The call to action, #PullUpOrShutUp, was a response to performative activism during the Black Lives Matter movement, where companies spoke out but failed to acknowledge their own role in marginalizing underrepresented communities.
Holding companies accountable through purchasing power: Consumers can influence companies to address racial bias and lack of diversity by making purchasing decisions, moving beyond performative activism to real action and change.
Consumers have the power to hold companies accountable for racial bias and lack of diversity through their purchasing decisions. The "Pull Up a Chair" campaign was a direct action movement that brought transparency and accountability to the forefront, urging consumers to decide if they want to see black people represented within organizations. It's not just about hiring people based on their race, but stopping the practice of not hiring them because of it. Companies can move beyond performative activism and social media justice by taking real action and making meaningful changes. Atlassian, a software company, is an example of a successful business that has transformed teamwork with its AI-powered software, and Canva, an online design platform, helps people create visually appealing content for work. Both companies exemplify the power of collaboration and innovation.
Investing in emerging trends and social justice: Stay informed and take action on technological trends and social justice issues through accessible platforms and consumer activism. Progress can be made within three years.
Investing in emerging trends, such as artificial intelligence and big data, can be made simple and accessible through platforms like Schwab's thematic investing. Meanwhile, in the realm of social justice, Sharon Shuta's initiative, "Pull Up or Shut Up," highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of issues, like marginalization and lack of opportunities for underrepresented groups in business and entrepreneurship. Sharon's activism demonstrates the power of consumers to drive change, and her belief in the potential for real progress within three years is inspiring. Overall, these discussions underscore the significance of staying informed and taking action on both technological trends and social justice issues.
Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Workplace: Recognize and address unconscious bias to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, involve diverse employees, and acknowledge the existence of bias without making it divisive.
Addressing unconscious bias in the workplace requires conscious effort and a commitment to change. The speaker shared personal experiences of discrimination and the need for companies to involve diverse employees in solving diversity issues fairly. Unconscious bias, though seemingly insignificant in isolation, can have a profound impact on individuals' daily experiences and sense of belonging. The speaker emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing these biases to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. It's essential to have open conversations about race and diversity without making it an anti-white or divisive issue. By acknowledging the existence of unconscious bias and actively working to counteract it, we can create a more just and equitable society. In five years, the speaker hopes to look back on this moment and see meaningful progress towards a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
Unity and diversity lead to positive change: During tough times, coming together and embracing diversity can lead to growth and making a difference for individuals and businesses. Empathy and human connection are essential in business and life.
During challenging times, unity and embracing diversity can lead to positive change and growth for both individuals and businesses. Sharon Shuda, the founder of Loma Beauty, emphasized the importance of coming together to fight against systemic oppression and racism, and how diversity is beneficial for businesses. She encouraged the idea that even those who face difficulties during this process can ultimately lead the way in making a difference. The How I Built This Resilience Series, featuring Shuda's interview, highlights the importance of empathy and human connection in business and life. Additionally, Amica, a mutual insurance company, exemplifies this concept by putting their customers first and working in their best interests. The failures of past reality TV shows, such as "The Swan," serve as reminders of the importance of avoiding harmful and oppressive systems, and instead, focusing on unity and empathy.
