SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 ISSUE 8 VOL 3

REGULARS + FEATURES

EXPLORE 1-11

Explore our research based insights on what's happening at Ark & Brook, from worklife balance productivity hacks to PR and other thought leadership tips and doodle hacks for small business owners

DISCOVER 12-28

Our Discover section is a movement to take our readers to experts in relatively distant geographical locations that they wouldn't normally dream of. We find local Thought Leaders in spaces and places that help businesses to survive.

THRIVE 31-35

Our Thrive Section is where you'll find your takeaway self-care to live a healthy and sane life, from our Travel, entertainment recommendations to the Ignite events, jobs , Adventures and much more.

A NoteFromJen

Editor-In-Chief Jennifer Nash introduces the content in this Spotlight issue. Starting with acknowledgements of our fabulous team to whet your appetite. Using a drop of ink to make a million think, has been Jen's motto since she learned how to write professionally, together we can amplify our voices

Editor's Note

When women come together to exchange ideas and share our stories; in truth and in power together - we realise how strong we are and that there’s a collective strength that can create real change with social impact!

Stand in our truth, fortified by kindness to honour and recognise one another as women, that's what I want!

This issue theme is leadership at all costs. That’s why even though I may sometimes sound like a broken record fighting for the little guys, advocating for representation and equal media opportunities and coverage for digital female entrepreneurs; I have no apologies to make because I truly believe the more noise, we make about it; the more likely we’re to be seen, heard, known, [ahem liked], and trusted as thought leaders in any subject.

So, yeah, as the marketing principle endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) clearly states that a message must be seen at least 8 times before it sinks. So if it takes that long to get a message resonate, then I can safely assume we will be singing this tune for a while…

That brings me to the point that marketing copy should do what it’s meant to do. To carry some weight in order for it to make sense; hence it’s my pleasure to share ANYWORD.

ANYWORD is a tool that is making big brands look good and convert their audience. Luckily you can use the same AI platform to make your marketing copy pop!

PLUS: I’m particularly proud of this month’s contents. We're bringing together the game-changers and changemakers, Kathy Kasten’s Secrets to Meaningful Leadership, to Leaders Prosper for Purpose and our spotted Purchase with Purpose: Support Small & Sustainable Brands, all who have trail blazed leadership traits at their core.

Together we illuminate a spotlight on what matters to us and thrive

Acknowledgements

Welcome to the March edition of Spotlight magazine

ForAt Spotlight, We Don’t follow trends, We create them!

We're glad your're back in the Spotlight. Our gratitude as always goes out to you our clients, subscribers and small but mighty army of expert contributors and advertisers, Kathy Kasten, Lorraine Schuchart, Elizabeth Whitford Relevé Fashion Editor, Strike, Anyword and Netflix for your support of supplying us with valuable content. A special and BIG thank you and welcome to our additional Spotlight team who have joined us in the last few months.

Together we are happy to be navigating these uncharted waters, re-imagining and challenging the PR industry status quo. We do this with a Thought Leadership magazine founded and owned by a woman with female thought leaders writing for female entrepreneurs -this includes but is not limited to SMEs, Artisans, Freelancers and every type of small business that perhaps doesn't fit into the categories we have named above. [See list on left if you fit the bill - Click here to get featured as an expert contributor.

It is with great pride and joy that we bring you this global phenomenon with exclusive content for you to Explore what it means to be a Thought Leader in this complex and cluttered digital space where everyone is a prosumer.

We're confident you will Discover tools and insights that will help you to sustain and scale up your business, but much more so, amplify your voice as an expert in your industry.

More than anything else, we want to grow with you our readers, as we share and investigate what it means to be a Thought Leader Our expert articles and advice will do just that. So take the front row seat enjoy the view as you Thrive.

“THE CORPORATE ALPACA ICE CREAM LADY” – SECRETS TO MEANINGFUL LEADERSHIP

by Kathy Kasten

How do we make an impact on others in our daily lives as leaders?

Do we have to be in a certain position or have a certain title to bring people together in a meaningful way?

I was wearing a yellow apron and standing on the back side of the chocolate counter in our ice cream parlor Our business was thriving in a beautiful, busy little tourist town We had a great staff of team members We had loyal customers We had quality products. And we had the trust of local community leaders who would often stop by to visit.

One day as I was listening intently and conversing with a leader, it dawned on me that this community needed a place where leaders could come together to share resources, needs, ideas… What they couldn’t do alone, they could do together as a team.. While the “ice cream lady” was probably a funny choice to lead it, I saw a need and jumped in to fill it

The Leadership Summit was born I invited executive directors and staff from local non-profits, local government leaders, education leaders, and business owners to gather.

20-year-old Marianne Teigen recently published her first young adult novel, and in only a month, it has reached the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Over a 2-year period we discussed dreams, ideas, goals and strategies to move the town forward for the future

We did community clean-up projects. We brought in a nationally recognized expert for input. I helped the community get a large grant for 24 community leaders to get a week of leadership training

For me, it’s not about the occupation, but the heart behind the occupation. Wherever we are and whatever we do, we can deeply care for others and work to serve them every day My faith is central to this view. I want to share the love I have received from Christ with others I want to care for them through His eyes

I am also passionate about helping others build relationships. I have seen the powerful impact and transformation that can take place when we learn to reach others where they are and help them feel valued and cared for

The ice cream parlor was a tool It was a connection point

What occupation do you have and how can you use that connection point to serve others?

2 3

LEARNING TO

As I have coached and trained executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and teams, I have been blessed to watch people reach new levels in their businesses and relationships I work with clients from around the world to help them understand their personalities and how their personality traits drive their behavior A second critical learning step is to understand the personalities of others, look for ways to find common ground, and work toward an appreciation of everyone’s unique gifts. The result? Deeper connections. Less conflict Stronger teams More joy Better results Doesn’t that sound nice in a world that can feel so challenging? How well do you understand who you are and why you act and behave the way you do? Are you open to truly understanding and appreciating someone else?

LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT ASKING OURSELVES EVERY DAY “HOW CAN I GROW AND USE MY GIFTS AND HELP OTHERS GROW THEIRS?”

Our personalities, in part, include our gifts, strengths, interests, and abilities. To grow the best parts of ourselves, we need to clarify who we are and what we bring to others We can seek to learn from other leaders who can help us grow through mentoring, coaching, modeling, and constructive feedback

We are each a unique masterpiece. Our goal should not be to be like someone else. It should be to become the best version of ourselves A lake should not strive to be a mountain. Or a hand, an ear. Each of us are in this time and place because we are the best person to fill it when we shine our best. Everyone wins.

“How do you keep your employees so loyal? I have been trying to hire them away from you for 2 years.” That was a question I heard when my husband and I owned the ice cream parlor The answer was simple We cared about our team like family. We gave them opportunities to learn and use new skills We gave them accountability, responsibility, and the authority to make decisions. We encouraged them to grow

How can you grow today? How can you help someone else grow today?

ITS CORE, I BELIEVE LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT DEEPLY CARING FOR OTHERS.

UNDERSTAND OTHERS AND CONNECT WITH THEM ON A DEEPER LEVEL IS A VITAL AND LEARNABLE SKILL.

While ice cream and leadership may not seem like they go together, it is the values behind them that unite them. In any situation that requires a gathering of minds for a shared purpose, here are Five Leadership Traits that are centrally important:

Legacy is how we live, give, and love – one step at a time, one day at a time.” “

“NOT CAN’T, BUT HOW?” TAKE ACTION

Changing our mindsets from being in the continual cycle of getting ready to lead versus actually leading can transform our impact.

Confidence comes on the other side of experience We can’t have stronger leadership than we have today unless we step out and do something that is new and uncomfortable. Everyone has conquered uncomfortable steps in some way –graduation, marriage, children, a new job, a new home… Over time these new steps become comfortable It is the same in leadership

As to the path, I trust God to guide me. I am a vessel. He steers the ship. What action can you take today that takes courage?

FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE?

Intentionality is key Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

If today were my last day on earth, what would I wish I had done to make the world a better place?

Who do I want to talk to or impact? How? Spend time thinking about these questions and choose one small thing you can do each day that is an action toward it. That might be as simple as a letter, a conversation, a donation, a gift of time, a supportive word, a hug

Caring and connecting with others is central to being a great leader. When we lean into the core principles that lead to meaningful leadership, lives are changed. In my own journey, not only have I helped others change their lives, but they in turn have changed mine. Their willingness to be vulnerable and grow as leaders has taught me things that I can share with others I serve and apply in my own life. Can you see the amazing cycle that these 5 Leadership Traits produce?

I am thankful for every day. Thankful for every person whose life I can touch in a positive way. I no longer think about “that day” when I will be able to have an impact. It is here. I am living it. I want that for you too!

If an ice cream lady can do it, you can do it! Lead on and make each day count

ABOUT

Kathy Kasten is the CEO / Founder of Lion Crest Leadership She is an Executive Coach, Business Consultant and Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Best-Selling AwardWinning Author. She works with executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs to help them grow their leadership, build deep relationships, and live the legacy they want to leave – one step at a time, one day at a time.

www.lioncrestleadership. com

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is facing your fear and doing it afraid.

E X P L O R E

My loves! Two years ago this February I was headed off to Italy for what I’d planned to be a glorious three month adventure in my favorite town of Lucca with a primary goal of completing my first solo book after multiple collaborative projects over the last few years.

I was so excited to finally bring this book into the world and so many of you supported me by signing right up for a presell copy and I’m still so thankful for that love and support Within a week of being in Lucca we went into lockdown and the whole world stopped just days after. Since then I’ve wanted nothing more than to make this dream come true but really struggled to get my momentum and mojo back I’m so excited to share that today is the DAY and my book

Invocations: Prayers and Blessings to Illuminate Your Life has just been published and is now available on Amazon. Also excited to celebrate the launch of Soul Sparkle Press A space where spiritual entrepreneurs and Soul Centered CEO’s can share their message with the world in a beautiful and magical way!

Sending so much love your way, may this book be a blessing to you on you journey! You can grab your copy here

I'd like to invite you to join us in the Soul Centered CEO Collective, imagine having a mastermind experience based in real connection, community and contribution where you feel seen, known, connected and supported. Where, together, we can support organizations that are in alignment with our values and our vision.

If you've been dreaming of a community of likeminded and big hearted visionary leaders, this may be the perfect fit for you. We would love for you to join us on this journey of expansion and impact. If you are ready to amplify your revenue, amplify your visibility and amplify your impact, join us. This collective is for thought leaders and visionary business owners, ready to leave a legacy and live a life of service and impact.

First time buyers guide

Continued from Feburary Issue

If you think you can afford to buy, the first step is usually a mortgage How do you get a mortgage and how do you know you ’ ve found the right one? Here’s what you need to know

WHAT TYPE OF MORTGAGE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

There are a lot of different types of mortgages out there Interest-only mortgages, repayment mortgages, fixed-rate tracker mortgages it can feel like a lot of information to take in, but it’s more straightforward than you think. For most people, a repayment mortgage is the most straightforward option. When in doubt, a broker or mortgage advisor can talk you through your options

DO YOU HAVE A BIG ENOUGH DEPOSIT?

In most cases, you’ll need at least a 5% deposit to get on the housing ladder but the average deposit amount is about 16%. The bigger the deposit you put down, the less you have to borrow which can save you thousands of pounds in interest payments in the long run.

When looking at mortgages, try to ignore the jargon. A fixed-rate mortgage is exactly what it sounds like you have one fixed interest rate for the entire mortgage An interest-only mortgage is also what it sounds like you ’ re only paying the interest on the loan, not the repaying the loan itself It’s that simple

Give yourself the best chance

Look at your income:

A lender will normally loan you about four times your income this is called your loan-to-income ratio. Maximizing your income means securing a bigger loan. Check your credit score

Credit scores are also key, so it’s worth making sure there are no mistakes on your credit report. Look at your savings and outgoings

Normally lenders will “stress test” you for any changes that might come up to make sure you can afford the payments. Savings, outgoings your general finances are important, so take some time and sit down with your bank statements.

How to get a mortgage

Directly from a lender:

Different banks and lenders have different criteria for their loans, so if you get rejected from one lender then you might still have luck with another.

Through a broker

A mortgage broker can fight on your behalf to try and not just get you a mortgage, but the best mortgage for you especially if you ’ re self-employed But that comes with a fee so you need to make sure it’s worth it. At Strike, we offer independent mortgage advice for free (because free is kind of our bag), with over 1,000 mortgage deals. You can find out more here.

Finding the right property

Finally, the fun part property hunting:

How do you find the right property for you? Well, it’s a balance between your head and your heart or maybe we should say it’s a balance between your wallet and your heart.

Firstly, look at your budget and the locations you are interested in Location is probably the biggest factor when it comes to price, so try to work out a location you love and that you can afford.

Looking at transport links, schools, local parks and amenities (and pubs, of course), can help you find your sweet spot.

TOP TOP TOP

al Roster of the most disruptive, riven and innovative virtual mark

Viewing the property

Be sure to check the condition of the property structural issues or plumbing problems could end up costing you a lot. You can take your time with it. Check if the home meets your needs, that it has the right number of bedrooms, and the right use of space that works for you. Most importantly, don’t feel rushed by whoever’s showing you around. You’re in control, so ask any questions you might have.

Ready to view? Check out our full viewing guide with a home viewing checklist to get you ready for your first visit

It’s time to strike. Unless you’re buying directly, the estate agent will put in the offer for you They can help you come up with a number, but ultimately up to you. Here’s what you need to keep in mind. Before submitting Decide on your bidding strategy. Some people like to go in with a low-ball and work their way up, others like to go in with their highest possible offer right off the bat You can try to work out from the estate agent how open the seller is to offers, but they normally keep their lips pretty sealed But a good estate agent will help guide you through making an offer.

Decide

on your bidding strategy. Some people like to go in with a low-ball and work their way up, others like to go in with their highest possible offer right off the bat.

How to make an offer on your home WHEN LOOKING AT MORTGAGES, TRY TO IGNORE THE JARGON.

D I S C E R

O O P

C

T H E S

Create High Converting Copy for Marketing!

Anyword is an AI-powered copywriting platform that helps marketers tailor their messages to their ideal audience. It generates and evaluates copy for ads, social posts, email subject lines, landing page copy, and much more.

The platform uses a model trained on $250M worth of ad spend, coupled with your historical data to help you create expert-level messages across channels and formats. Anyword powers the world’s top brands, including CNN, PetCareRx, NBA, Red Bull, Ted Baker, and many more.

Anyword is the tool for improving copy optimization and if you use it to create more efficient landing pages, then you’ll get better results along with reduced marketing costs. It’s as simple as that.

Your words and phrases affect how people react to your content. But that's not all. They also affect how people react to your product pages.

Increase conversions and sales today Get an edge in a competitive landscape Make marketing a breeze

I have been an entrepreneur for nine years, but I have been an entrepreneurial leader for most of my career. I believe that the essential requirements for great leaders are having a purpose beyond money and ensuring their teams are trained, empowered and rewarded. I’ll start with purpose. As an employee, purpose might look like hitting your goals or helping your organization create an impact. As a manager, your purpose may be creating a culture for your team that enables them to work effectively and collaboratively.

By Leaders

Prosper for Purpose

My vision is for a more just and sustainable world. My agency, Prosper for Purpose, creates disruptive brands for courageous changemakers. We’re telling the stories of the people making progress in social and environmental justice so that more people learn about them, buy their products, support their services or learn more about the changes they too can effect.

As an entrepreneur, purpose typically comes from vision. What is the change you seek? The impact you want to make? The legacy you wish to leave behind?

Next I’ll share my views on team. As a business owner, it is my responsibility to ensure the people I hire share my values and understand how their roles help us achieve our purpose. It is my job to empower them, to trust them and to support them. This is a servant leadership approach and it's one I was mentored in and do my best to honor. I work to ensure members of my team have access to everything they need to do their jobs well. Rewarding my team, whether with praise or lunch or a gift, depending on the situation, builds a strong culture where people feel appreciated and acknowledged.

Leading people towards a common goal can be one of the most difficult but rewarding roles you can have. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Every time someone opens the magazine They'll see your brand first...

BE SEEN ON THE

The answer is visibility!

ENJOYING THE MAGAZINE SO FAR?

It's because Spotlight Magazine has a new publishing home. A more intuitive and interactive platform where you can watch video inside the publication and click on links to ads or articles without leaving the platform. Want to be Featured? Join Our TLC Expert Contributors List.

The Protégé

You must be wondering why the Protégé? Here is why in every issue we feature an up and coming female entrepreneur who is finding their way into the business landscape. This can be a recent graduate, or someone leaving a 9-5 career or already running an existing business for under 3 years!

Perhaps they are your VA, PA or your subordinate at your business; they work under your leadership and you have been mentoring them to become an Intrapreneur within your business. They are the coffee maker, paper pusher anticipating everyone's needs!

EXPLAINED

Either way, if it's you or you know a smart, sharp, skilled young or older person who needs a hand being Seen, Heard, Known & Recognised as a budding entrepreneur; then they deserve the title of The Protégé

With your recommendation; together we can inspire another woman to become the best version of herself because according to Maya Angelou; there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story! Do your bit:-) Send their story to jennifer@arkandbrook com

3 FAQ

Howmuchdoesitcost?

As most Protégés are people just starting out in their careers, there is no charge to be featured

What'sthewordcount?

Ideally we want a 300 - 400 WC plus a 50 word 'About' bio

Whatisthesubmission deadline

As with all our normal features, this must be submitted by the 10 th of the preceding month to make it into the following issue.

SPOTTEDSPOTLIGHT

GOT TIME TO SPOTLIGHT SOMEONE?

SEND US A SUCCESS STORY ABOUT A LOCAL HERO OR BRAND THAT IS INSPIRING CHANGE TO HELP US ALL RE-IMAGINE THE STATUS QUO IN THIS LIFE! WE WILL ADD THEM TO THE GIVA NOMINATION LIST.

EARLY BIRD ENTRY NOW OPEN!

You Don't Have To Be A Celebrity To Become A Successful Influencer! However, you do want to learn what it takes to become successful.

You probably think you can try your luck, create a profile, post some photos or videos, and wait for the brands to contact you for a sponsored post. Well, it's not that easy. First, you need to follow the exact steps other successful Influencers have followed. You need to have a system in place.

By Jennifer Nash

What You'll Find Inside:

How To Become A Successful Social Media Influencer

How Influencers Generate Their Income

How To Go Viral On TikTok

How To Use Hashtags & Challenges The Right Way On TikTok

TikTok Analytics - The Best Tool For An Influencer.

What're The Most Important Things When Selecting Your Niche.

How To Use Captions And Hashtags Like A Pro On Instagram.

How To Use Analyze Your Audience And Create Viral Posts.

How To Set Yourself Ready To Be Contacted By Brands For Promotions. Things You Should Never Do As An Influencer.

How To Setup Your Youtube Channel The Right Way. Analyzing Your Channel Data For Maximum Exposure.

And Much, Much More.

100% Proceeds benefit the HML Foundation

Explore!

Like Comment Share

An Opinion Editorial

By Jennifer Nash

IMAGE COPYRIGHT: NETFLIX / SHONDA RHYMES

How Far Will You Go?

YOU'VE BEEN HUSTLING TO MAKE IT IN LIFE…NOTHING GIVES…SUDDENLY YOU SEE GOLD…

You Don’t Know Me! I do not recognize mid-tones If I walk, so in a big way, if I laugh, so to tears, if I sing, so in full voice – this is my motto! But I should Remember that everything is passing, and tomorrow a new day will come I should understand that others do not react as quickly to life as I do So I must give them time to navigate I speak for Anna Sorokin, a k a Anna Delvey - and to my own demons that lie dormant in my soul I speak my truth

Anna is a tale of an ordinary woman who just wanted to be given a chance to be noticed and be given what she viewed was her fair share of Manhattan

Not everyone will agree to what extent she went to get what she saw as a must have life for herself! The jury is still out whether she came really close to achieving her dream to create the AD Foundation's exclusive club a reality!

I believe most of us women can relate! Being in boy’s club the odds are stacked against us, just by being female! And that’s as far as most women goes, however some of us, me Inclusive have the double minority label stuck on our foreheads! We’re immigrants and females living in the diaspora!

AN OPINION EDITORIAL BY JENNIFER NASH

Like Anna, that just means working twice as much as other women and more so overcoming the prejudices we women have to deal with anyway

So while in my opinion as a person with integrity and pride, I would not sink as low as she did to get my HML Foundation going by any means necessary Equally, while I could relate to Anna’s vision (I have my own outlandish one); I could not imagine living with myself (sleeping at night) knowing that I had to make a deal with the devil himself to get my way!

To that point, I’d rather continue the creative begging of pennies and coining up of bread crumbs or asking for pocket change of donations, to take my time to build the Foundation on solid foundation (no pun intended) than gravitate towards instant gratification by sleeping with the devil!

That’s also not where our differences end, on one hand Anna was obsessed with fashion labels, living a high life and rubbing shoulders with HNWI by an means necessary to get what she so passionately wanted, I on the other hand, want nothing to do with that breed of humans, period! While I respect them, I can't relate,

Of course I appreciate money can have great impact on any cause and I'm not naive to think money doesn't talk but I need (not want) to build an immortalised legacy for the underprivileged people in society by people who actually understand how it feels to be so close to the ground! That means using clean money and not that which is tainted!

That’s where the Windows Of Change come in The HML Foundation is not just an impetuous dream that came out of thin air! It’s an authentic story of own passion for books and never having a library in my community where I could access them It's been 16 years in the making

The HML Foundation’s relationship with books comes from my own experience of exchanging book reviews with my dad in our two people bookclub That lived experience led me to founding HML named in memory of my dad - Henry Morrison Limula

That being said, I can empathise with Anna and how she got to a point of no return at such a tender age of 27; with the pressure of the society we live in today, it’s not surprising that young people today feel the need to either get rich quick or leave actualise their dreams instantly! What with the Gig economy and social media pressure ti be somebody!

The biggest takeaway from Inventing Anna what sentiments you were left with after watching it is that it could have been worse

and I strongly believe that her heart was in the right place - just not the the right strategy

Anna did all this while attempting to secure a $25 million loan from a hedge fund to create an exclusive arts club. Swindling her way into a life of luxury, Sorokin deceived Manhattan’s elite into believing she was a German heiress worth 60 million euros.

What do you think of her story?

Let’s have a conversation about this on social - join the conversation where you see my post about this! Click and Follow me here!

Check Out My Own PEOPLE. PASSION. PURPOSE Project

CAUTION: By taking part in my passion you may end up famous with your name immortalized on my library windows aka Windows Of Change - if it ever gets built. This whole library campaign is completely true. Except for all the parts where I have totally no control!

IMAGE COPYRIGHT: NETFLIX / SHONDA RHYMES

Preps 03

Multi-Unit Franchising

Continued from Feburary Issue

Some franchise categories lend themselves to multi-unit franchising much better than others. The 2021 Annual Edition of the Multi-Unit Buyer’s Guide reveals the top 10 industries with the most participation. Not surprisingly, QSR topped the list. beautyrelated concepts followed closely behind, with automotive, retail, food and clothing & accessories rounding out the top five spots. For a look at the rest of the MUO-friendly franchise categories, here’s an online version of the guide.

INDUSTRIES WITH THE MOST MUOS

The franchising industry is well-known for the sheer amount of data and resources available to prospective franchisees, and information on the multi-unit sector is prolific Whether you’re interested in the best multi-unit categories or a ranking of the most profitable franchise concepts, the information is readily available Franchise Business Review publishes an annual list of the best multi-unit franchise opportunities. Give it a look here.

Preps 04

THERE’S PLENTY OF MUO DATA OUT THERE

Preps 05

The rise in popularity of multi-unit franchising among the investor class highlights the attraction of semi-absentee ownership. The investigation of multi-unit franchises as a means to diversify business ownership portfolios is on the rise. And a majority of these candidates have no interest in running the day-to-day operations — they’re on the hunt to find the best talent, so they can sit back and “manage the manager”. Beyond seeking multi-unit operations in one category, the interest in investing in multi-branding franchise operations is also on the rise. Building wealth over time requires diversity and, for some, that means treating multi-unit franchise ownership like any other investment vehicle.

SPOTTED.

butwethinktheyaredoingamazingwork!

ON NEXT PAGE WE SPOTTED RELEVÉ FASHION.. READ ALL ABOUT THEM!

FashionForLess

Sustainable Shopping

Being Fashionable Does Not have to cost the earth literally

Relevé Voices

Retailer and online Fashionistas provide the best carbon neutral way to shop in 2022

Your Way...

NEW WORK STYLES ss2022

PLUS

LOVED CLOTHES LAST: HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR OFFICE WEAR...READ MORE

Our community of purposedriven leaders, positive influencers, true changemakers and trusted experts who are using their voices to champion sustainability and social impact, while empowering and inspiring communities.

Purchase with Purpose: Support Small & Sustainable Brands

Designers' Pledge

We Commit

To creating beautiful products that conserve the very beauty that surrounds us, so that looking good, never has to come at the expense of doing good

To acting responsibly and working conscientiously in every step that takes our designs from inspiration to our clients, as we make our way through our industries and towards the global market

To weaving noble values into the very garments and products we create, upholding ethics and holistic sustainability as best we can

We Respect

All that's around us, and ensure that the only thing we take in excess from nature, is inspiration

All our designs and collections, recognising that caring for them means caring for everyone that lays hands on them and brings them to life

Fashion as a form of self-expression and artistic communication, emphasising that the value of an individual can never be truly measured against the price of one's clothing

We Pledge

To keep moving forward on the road towards sustainable and ethical progress

To let our personal, social, and environmental commitments make the genuine style statement for positive fashion and conscious lifestyles

To raise awareness, raise our voices, and raise our standards, enabling true purchasing empowerment

To design today's fashion and lifestyle products with our future in mind Signed,

10% FROM EVERY PURCHASE SUPPORTS YOUR CHOSEN NONPROFIT PARTNER

Purchase with Purpose: Support Small & Sustainable Brands

Purchase with Purpose: Support Small & Sustainable Brands

FIVE WAYS THAT NONPROFITS CAN MAKE DECISION MAKING MORE INCLUSIVE—AND MORE EFFECTIVE

4. Up your game on authentic input

It’s important to distinguish between gathering input to help make a decision and informing staff and constituents about that decision. In addition, how decision makers weigh and resolve differences of opinion from stakeholders including across lines of identity is important to effectiveness. Genuinely asking for input can provide vital information and new perspectives, build trust, and strengthen staff and other stakeholder support for the decision that got made. However, going through the motions of seeking input can have the opposite effect. People will feel that their time has been wasted and will feel less engaged with the decision. And, notes School’s Out Washington’s Whitford, “If we’re asking for input, we need to be able to change our mind.”

Compass Working Capital is trying to get better at tapping into the knowledge and experience of its client advisory board to inform decisions that will have an impact on the client experience For example, as the organization has shifted to remote services, it planned to build a coaching app to replicate an in-person coach’s advice on a user’s smartphone with automated content and financial tips “When we got client input, it turns out we had the wrong idea,” explains MorrisLouis.“They didn’t need a coaching app. They wanted an engagement app, with a picture of their coach and the ability to text their coach.”

If we’re asking for input, we need to be able to change our mind.

It turned out that deepening relationships with coaches was more important than automating the coaching to reach more clients. The client board used to meet quarterly, but Morris-Louis says that “now we’re using their input so much that we’re meeting closer to monthly.”

Sometimes, when a decision is important enough, it’s worth designing a new process to gather input. A national advocacy group got several large unsolicited gifts adding up to millions of dollars “Because of the size of the gifts, we felt a responsibility beyond the leadership team,” explains the chief operating officer (COO). “Our CEO would make the decision, and the board would need to approve it. But we knew we needed to talk to staff, our affiliates across the country, external partners, our board because this decision could set up the thinking for how the organization is run in the future.”

The organization created a structured process, including an all-staff meeting and a shared Google doc, so people could see one another’s suggestions. Leadership stressed that the purpose was idea generation. The organization then conducted a workshop about the criteria for making the decision, which included potential impact on the communities it serves, financial sustainability over at least five years, and organizational capabilities The leadership team engaged a small board advisory committee to narrow down the list of 300 ideas and regularly updated its stakeholders to solicit feedback.

“Initially, some members of the leadership team were asking, ‘What’s the big new thing we’re going to do?’” explains the COO. “But we realized that the way to use the money to really drive impact was not with something new to us but with the things we had experience and expertise in.”

5. Explicitly consider the equity implications of the decision

While inclusion and equity often go hand in hand, an inclusive decision-making process will not automatically lead to equitable outcomes. To more intentionally advance equity, nonprofits can directly examine the potential impacts of a decision across lines of identity and other determinants of inequitable outcomes.Monisha Kapila, the co-CEO of ProInspire, which provides programming and resources for social sector leaders to advance racial equity,

emphasizes that her team regularly steps back to reflect on the impact of a decision on people and communities inside and outside the organization. “We ask, ‘Where are we replicating social power structures in this decision, and should we think about something different?’ We look at who has the power, who should be responsible for the decisions, and ask, ‘Can we make sure that we’re not replicating power structures that are harmful?’”

To do this analysis, ProInspire and its clients regularly turn to racial equity impact assessment tools (REIA) from Race Forward or the Race Matters Institute, and the Choice Points framework developed by The Management Center and Race Forward. The REIA tools suggest decision makers consider questions such as, “Does the decision ignore or worsen existing disparities?” It could take additional data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and other lines of difference to get to an answer. That ultimately leads to asking, “Based on the above, what revisions are needed in the decision?” The Choice Points framework similarly prompts managers to note moments in their practice where a decision has differential implications on equity and inclusion.

Welookatwhohasthepower,whoshouldberesponsible forthedecisions,andask,‘Canwemakesurethatwe’re notreplicatingpowerstructuresthatareharmful?’

MONISHA KAPILA, CO-CEO, PROINSPIRE

The questions these tools pose are relevant for different dimensions of identity, in different areas of the social sector, and in different regions and countries. Asking these questions can influence who performs which roles in the decision-making process, as well as the recommendations that emerge from the process and thus the decision itself They alsoprovide examples to help leaders advance equity in a range of scenarios, from strategic decisions, such as which programs to expand (one might serve more residents from the community), to day-to-day managerial choices, such as providing staff from different backgrounds with equitable access to mentorship and management time.

The five approaches outlined above provide the architecture for inclusive decision making that puts equity front and center as a desired outcome But even the best-laid plans can go askew without good communication Almost every leader we talked to in researching this article emphasized the importance of communicating about decisions as they are being made and when they are announced. Otherwise, people will make assumptions that could undermine the decision and its follow-through. Indeed, several mentioned instances where poor communication about a decision process made people feel less included and less satisfied with their own place in the organization.

That’s doubly true with contentious decisions. “You have to be able to make decisions in the face of people not agreeing with you. That’s a muscle that every leader needs to have,” says Cordua of Thorn. “But if you make difficult decisions, and don’t document and share them, it doesn’t go as far. People won’t know what’s been decided and why that decision was made.” One leader we talked to was frustrated that people didn’t understand a decision or how it had been made. “I used to ask myself: Didn’t the staff read that? Didn’t they hear me say that? But of course people absorb information in different ways.” Now, the organization works harder to communicate decisions in all-staff meetings, team meetings, and written information on its intranet And because of its more inclusive decisionmaking process, it has more credible voices from across the organization to draw upon when communicating the decision

To be sure, none of the leaders we talked to for this article claimed to be perfect case studies for inclusive decision making. Many talked about what had gone wrong and what still needed to be improved. And repeatedly, we heard about the importance of trust, clarity, and candor. “We talk about decision power more explicitly now,” says Whitford. “We’ve had enough hard conversations in our leadership team now we’re able to have a dialogue about this.”

You have to be able to make decisions in the face of people not agreeing with you. That’s a muscle that every leader needs to have, but if you make difficult decisions, and don’t document and share them, it doesn’t go as far.

JULIE CORDUA, CEO, THORN

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