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<\/p>\nEarlier this month we sent out an invitation for our members to get involved in our Pride Month outreach, to ensure we’re doing our part to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem and elevate voices that have historically been marginalized. When 400 anti- LGBTQ2SIA+ bills have been introduced in states across the country, inviting our members to share how they run an inclusive business is our collective way of ensuring our values are evident in the face of challenge.<\/p>\n
We received a number of responses to our invitation, and one stuck out among the rest: nine puking emojis.<\/p>\n
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It’s a shocking response to our outreach, and it doesn’t belong in our network. To be clear: our network is proactively fostering inclusivity, and not just because it is kind.<\/p>\n
Research shows that business outcomes, when influenced by LGBTQ2SIA+ supportive policies, lead to higher productivity and lower costs for employers (Source: Williams Institute at UCLA<\/a>). The estimated purchasing power of the global LGBTQ2SIA+ population was over $3.7 trillion in 2019 (Source: LGBT Capital<\/a>). Further: 80% of highly qualified LGBTQ2SIA+ professionals prefer to work for companies that have supportive LGBT policies and practices (Source: Center for Talent Innovation<\/a>).<\/p>\n Premise Martin understands this. That’s why, when we asked this serial inventor and entrepreneur how her company was working to ensure inclusivity, she told us about a new line of nail lacquer designed for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community and men, that she is launching this Pride month. Premise says that she had an opportunity to pay extra attention to the sales of her beauty and wellness brands during the peak of Covid lockdowns. She noticed at that time that she was missing a massively underserved market: nail lacquer catered to the LGBTQ2SIA+ community and men. To address that gap, Premise created her new line: H.I.S., which stands for “His Ingredient System.” It is the first vegan nail lacquer designed for members of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community and men. It’s this kind of innovative thinking that propels the economy by driving growth, productivity, job creation, and competitiveness.<\/p>\n Nancy Geenan and Betsy Cerulo also understand the benefits of cultivating a diverse and supportive environment for their employees. As serial entrepreneurs and CEOs of Flexability and AdNet, respectively, they are proactive in building an LGBTQ2SIA+-friendly workforce-and in lending their voice and insight to other companies seeking to ensure they are inclusive.<\/p>\n Watch five ways you can foster an inclusive workplace culture this month and every month:<\/p>\n\t