Create a Diverse and Inclusive Business

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tanya Bluford, Founder of Bluford Consulting, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Bluford Consulting is a boutique diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm. My customers are small to medium size for-profit and non-profit organizations that are committed to creating inclusive and equitable workspaces where all stakeholders feel a deep sense of belonging. While my clients are committed, they often don't know what steps to take and are afraid of making a misstep.

Tell us about yourself

In 2019 I was laid off from my employer of 20 years. It came as a surprise, and I was not prepared. After having no success looking for another job for a couple of months, I decided maybe it was time to live my dream of working for myself. I got my LLC in April and was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. While I had planned on continuing to work on my business through treatment, my body decided it was only doing one thing at a time, either starting a business or fighting cancer. So, I put my business on hold until I finished treatment (surgery, chemo, and radiation) and got my energy back. I started working again in March 2020, mere weeks before the world shut down for the pandemic.

While I am healthy now, Triple Negative Breast Cancer has the highest reoccurrence rate of all breast cancers. I remain positive, but I am motivated by the fact that we all have a limited amount of time on this earth, and I believe 1000% we all have a purpose. Creating equity and opening individual hearts up to the power of inclusion is my purpose.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being a business owner... period. It hasn't been easy. While going through treatment and the pandemic, we lost my aunt, father-in-law, and my grandmother. Not only is Bluford Consulting still here, but it also continues to grow and is proven to be a viable business.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

As a small business owner, you do everything, even stuff you don't know how to do, until you can afford to pay someone to do it for you.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Believe in yourself.
Realize you don't know everything, and you can learn from everyone and everything.
Make your health and wellness a priority.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://blufordconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyabluford/

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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