Cultural Appreciation, Focus, & Business Development with Nadia Ali, Founder of Idea Labs

00:00.00

kitedart

Hello everyone, and welcome to today's session of Now & Center. I am super excited for my conversation today. I think we've actually been trying to schedule this for a while and maybe even had to do a little rescheduling, so I'm really glad that we're here. I am with Nadia Ali, and she is the founder of Idea Labs. Welcome Nadia. Thanks for being here. Yeah let's just dive in right off. Would you share with us a little more information about Idea Labs and the work you're doing and the difference you're making with your business?

00:20.81

Nadia Ali

Thank you so much for having me. Sure, so Idea Labs is, I like to say, a mission driven consulting firm that's advancing diversity equity and inclusion in the workplace through training, leadership coaching, and organizational strategy. And I would say you know one of the things I'm really passionate about through Idea Labs is to support organizations on their journey towards fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and belonging. Um, since I started my business, I've worked with over 20 companies and nonprofit organizations on a range of efforts related to diversity equity inclusion.

01:16.89

kitedart

Fantastic. They're lucky to have you. I think that's amazing. Would you be willing to share with us just maybe a little bit more about what's led you to this journey and this being the thing that you're doing in the world.

01:32.58

Nadia Ali

Yeah, totally so I would say like I um, I mean if we really go back I I feel like um, a lot of my um, just my upbringing and my cultural background really inspired me to start Idea Labs. And just a fun fact. Um, the word idea in Idea Labs is an acronym for inclusivity diversity and equity in action. So I really um, want it to be. You know the name of the organization and the company to be 1 is really helping to inspire that. But also this idea of you know the word idea in and of itself that's sparking you know teamwork and brainstorming and it being generative. So I really enjoyed that whole process of coming up with the name of the company but in terms of. Like what inspired me to start Idea Labs you know I um, my parents are originally from Pakistan and they immigrated to the Us in the 1970 s and um, you know I was born soon after um, in Texas and when we were so when I was 7 um. We moved to New Jersey just a little bit outside of Princeton New Jersey and to me when I moved out there. It really looked to me like a blue like what well what I thought at least was a blueprint of what I thought all of America was like very culturally diverse. You know being around and exposed to so many different languages. Um and then me myself I grew up speaking um a number of different languages and you know just having friends from all different, not just cultural but also Socioeconomic backgrounds. Um, and then also got the chance to just with having family. Um, living all around the world I um had the privilege of going to so many different um countries and being immersed in those cultures and um I Also for some reason have always been ah, very attuned to um inequities and just being really really. Um, just really truly valuing. Um, how diversity and inclusivity can you know, bring so much richness to our lives and also seeing the other end of it of seeing you know how inequities play out whether you know your. At a store or you're at the hospital or you're at school right? and you know like I've experienced that um racism on um, as well and I've also seen it and I've witnessed it happen to family and friends and so for me like I would Say. Just having all of these different life experiences I've always just been interested in thinking about you know what are the different ways we can create more kinder systems. How can we be better. How can we minimize Harm. Um, and then also like all of the different research that supports. How.

04:35.95

Nadia Ali

You know all of these different core values of diversity equity and inclusion can really improve um in organizations, productivity and innovation innovation and collaboration. Um collaboration and so I think um, a lot of these different reasons. Um, just inspired me to um. To launch my own business.

04:58.10

kitedart

Nice. Thanks for sharing that? um I so I want to go back to when you're talking about the name of your business and then we I'd love to talk. You know we can keep talking more about your story and end your um.

05:07.57

Nadia Ali

Um, yes.

05:13.73

kitedart

Journey that you're on. But with idea when I love that that's an acronym I did not know that from previous conversation. So ah that that's really cool and I'm curious to know when you think about the action piece of it right? like.

05:31.57

kitedart

So many people do just talk about diversity equity inclusion Justice right? But you're bringing in action and and I know why that's important to me but I just love it Would you would you expand on that a little bit about why that was an important piece.

05:44.72

Nadia Ali

Told? Yeah I think for me, the reason why? um, having the word action in the acronym was so important is because that's what I'm trying to do with organizations is really support them. On their journey of actually implementing new policies and practices and ways of being with one another in within their organizations while embodying. You know what does it truly mean to. Ah.

06:14.97

Nadia Ali

Prioritize diversity equity and inclusion like how does that show up in your workplace. What are the systems that you need to help you know reduce bias in your interviewing process or what are the supports that you need to create. More relationship and rapport within your teams. You know how do you learn about each other and hold space for conversations that um help you to not only understand what those core values mean but also to understand you know each other's identities and how they interplay with you know. What goes on in the workplace and how to have those conversations in a way that creates more safety and community. Um, amongst each other so to me those are some different ways of how the action piece um comes to life.

06:57.59

kitedart

Yeah I Love that I Love that And first of all I'll just call out like I do I do just I so agree with that take on it right? And and I do I mean I work with a lot of different to E I consultants and I I Do think that that's a common thing with. The folks that you know that are in my sphere is that it really does become about the Action. You're taking the embodiment the actual like ah how does this really play out in relationship in the world and it is just so important I'm curious like.

07:28.41

Nadia Ali

Are.

07:35.92

kitedart

Is there a particular ah way you ah sort of attack the problem so to speak like and I'm thinking more about like I feel like I just keep hearing over and over and over from so many of you know my clients and and other deeig consultants that I know. That there's so much performativeness and people who just want to like check the Box. So How do you really get people to that place of um of embodying it I know and that and I'm sure that's not that On. It is simple answer I get but.

08:04.54

Nadia Ali

Yeah, they know I Love that question I feel like a lot of times when I partner with ah different companies and Organizations. You know one of the things that. Typically happens as a scoping call and you know also taking the time to really understand the the organization what they're out to do. But I think during a scoping Call. It's really to me. It becomes really apparent. You know if we're values aligned and if an organization is truly invested In. Um, making those changes and for me so far. It's been.. It's been that experience I have come across a few businesses that do feel like you know their intentions might not be all there and it feels a little bit more performative. But for me I I won't work with those businesses. I. Would love I much prefer to have an organization that is ready that is willing to invest and is actually wanting to create um real change.

09:11.35

kitedart

Fantastic I Think that's great and I I I kudos to you for being willing to know that if somebody isn't really bought in on that and they don't really want to make the change that you're like no thank you, You're not for me right? like that's a great.

09:29.69

Nadia Ali

Um, pressure.

09:30.94

kitedart

I Think that's really important right? because it's sort of like there's this. Ah I mean ah yeah there it it's it when you when you own a business and you need to pay the bills right? there I'm sure it can be really hard sometimes to feel for some people like.

09:43.60

Nadia Ali

Um, oh totally? um.

09:48.79

kitedart

They need to take work to just to pay the bills and um, stick in I think so you know anybody who knows me knows that that values alignment I think is is the most and one of the most important things within business in in choosing the right clients. So that's fantastic.

09:51.12

Nadia Ali

Right.

10:06.99

kitedart

Um, anything else. You want to say I don't know just about your journey and and the work that you do and what I don't know what you've learned or just you know anything else. You'd like to share about it.

10:16.79

Nadia Ali

Yeah, for sure I mean 1 thing I'll also say is I feel like with my work the way I approach it is I love to take if I'm able to work with or partner with an organization on a deeper level like have a long-term engagement with them.

10:30.69

kitedart

May run.

10:33.78

Nadia Ali

I'm able to provide a more holistic approach. So it's not just you know doing this one training for your team. It's like we're having an extended like let's come up with a professional development curriculum to really really dive deep and then also doing leadership coaching with leaders of the organization. So that. All of those learnings are then you know continuing to be um, shown like with or communicated or put into action like I was saying earlier with the organization. Um, and then also from like an organizational strategy level of like you know if you're if you're bought in and you're investing. And creating these changes like how are you showing up like in the world like through your marketing through your website through your communications not just externally but also internally like how are you communicating with staff. how are you talking to 1 another how are you providing feedback you know how are you recruiting folks? What are the sources you're using so you know it's really nice to be able to work long term with organizations but then the other the other thing I really appreciate is is that window of opportunity if there is an organization that is values aligned and really excited and is like you know what? like right now. We can commit to at least starting the conversation and holding a training or a few and then maybe circling back with me and saying you know what? like we now have the funds. We're ready to go deeper so that's been really nice to um, you know, have that opportunity there in that window there. Um with folks.

11:59.80

kitedart

A man.

12:08.68

Nadia Ali

I would also say um, yeah I would say holistic heart centered I really love to get people in their heart space and being being comfortable talking about you know how they're feeling when they're talking about matters of social justice and race. Um, and also human first right, we're all human we make mistakes. And that's okay, like how do we learn from them and keep going um and then with my background in health care. My training is in public health and so I love to use a trauma informed lens um with the work. Therapeutic communication techniques and also centering adult learning I mostly I do do some work with youth. But um I have a lot of experience with that from my former. Um you know jobs and professional experience. But um, you know, just having that understanding of the way that adults learn has been really helpful. Um, in designing experiences. Um and trainings for folks as well.

13:06.65

kitedart

Fantastic. Yeah I Love the I Love the long term and that holistic approach. Um I do I mean this this is ongoing work. It's going to take a long time to get there. So I really appreciate that. But I also appreciate it sounds like how you know offering that opportunity for people who.

13:14.60

Nadia Ali

Are.

13:24.45

kitedart

Maybe they're not quite ready to take that long-term commitment that there's still opportunity to engage and that that can oftentimes lead to deeper work. So and I think that's important. Um you had also mentioned.

13:30.62

Nadia Ali

Um.

13:31.84

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

13:38.89

kitedart

Before that you wanted to talk a little bit about appreciation versus appropriation in terms of culture. What would you like to share about that.

13:42.84

Nadia Ali

Yeah, yeah, I just wanted to you know I'm always I feel like especially nowadays there's there are so many ways that people want to Express. You know how they are admire ah have admiration for culture different cultures and you know what is that distinction or what is that line between you know, appreciating one's culture versus appropriating. 1 Ne's one's culture and I think that you know.

14:12.21

kitedart

Um, remember.

14:14.52

Nadia Ali

I I feel like there is a spectrum and people are going to come at it with different you know, um with different viewpoints. But for me personally I think 1 thing that I would say specifically around appreciation versus appropriation is that you know my culture is not a costume and when people.

14:30.46

kitedart

No.

14:34.22

Nadia Ali

Oftentimes will you know come up to me and say oh my gosh like I Love your costume or I love your dress but it's in that it's in that you know frame of mind. It doesn't sit well with me. Um, you know I've also had friends in the past. Saying oh you know I went to um, a wedding and um now I don't really need this like you know would this would you would you like this costume and it's like you know for me when I get those kinds of communications like it takes me a minute and I'm like I'm good.. Thanks. But I do want to have those conversations with people and sometimes if I have been in conversations like that I will wait and and then address it with somebody because it's also about you know,? what's your level of relationship with the person if it's somebody. That's just you know. Randomly saying that it's like is that the opportunity to engage them I'm not really sure I think it depends on you know my own energy levels and whether or not it's even worth it versus like if it's somebody who's like your colleague or friend and it comes up. It's like well you know what? this is an opera a learning opportunity. And um, and I think I can have this conversation. Maybe I don't do it on the spot because I just want to process you know I'm having a lot of emotions come up and then circle back with them.

15:54.40

kitedart

Um, yeah, yeah, that's how I have to handle those things a lot for myself is like come back to it. So yeah, and and so I'm hearing in there too like.

16:03.44

Nadia Ali

Um, it up.

16:08.51

kitedart

This idea of appropriation versus appreciation and then also that it sounds like um some of your experiences have been around people Seeming. It's like they're trying to show appreciation for culture. But it's. Really is a microaggression.

16:28.86

Nadia Ali

Yeah, it's just coming out wrong like I would say for example and I've had this conversation with a number of ah friends. You know if somebody is for example, attending a celebration like a wedding right? and like the wet in the wedding. The person. Is like you know I'm having a wedding party and I want you to and they're gifting an outfit for them to wear That's cultural appreciation. It's like oh like you know the friend is like oh I'm a part of the wedding party I'm appreciating I'm embracing their celebration I'm going to wear this outfit. That's totally awesome. That's beautiful.

16:49.77

kitedart

Um, yeah.

17:02.12

Nadia Ali

But I'm like you know when you use certain language like costume. You know the word costume has a connotation. It's pretty apparent like you know you know people wear costumes on Halloween or a costume party and it's like well this like my outfit that I wear like on the daily. But.

17:16.98

kitedart

Yes, yes, heard yeah.

17:22.15

Nadia Ali

Yeah, yeah for sure. So yeah I would say it. It can totally be a microaggression and um, you know it's like how do you disarm the microaggression and I think for me like what we were saying earlier is circling back reflecting and then circling back.

17:34.81

kitedart

Yeah, yeah, well and it's you know it is important right? intent and impact matter even though you may know that their intention is not to be. You know being you know, causing harm.

17:46.88

Nadia Ali

Um, right.

17:51.36

kitedart

It still does right? So yeah, it makes perfect sense and yeah and I and I also appreciate what you say about the um like to what extent you may call it out or have a conversation about it may depend on the relationship that you have with the person and.

18:06.26

Nadia Ali

I think.

18:09.45

kitedart

I'll call I'll call out that that's the thing that I think I've struggled with a lot in my life too is like okay I know this person I Trust this person. There's a certain amount of safety or comfortability rate where it's like okay I can talk about this with this person bring it up that kind of thing and.

18:26.20

Nadia Ali

1 i.

18:28.65

kitedart

But that when I don't know people. Um my conditioning has been such that it's like I have to be good I have to help people stay comfortable and and so it makes it a lot harder to call it out and I'm I'm personally like trying to lean in more for like.

18:39.85

Nadia Ali

Um, and.

18:47.38

kitedart

But for all of our sake like wanting to wanting to call more of those things out ah than I have felt comfortable doing in a lot of my life. Um, and I think.

18:47.69

Nadia Ali

Is here.

19:01.44

Nadia Ali

Um, will.

19:07.32

kitedart

Part of it is around for me is around how do I How do I make sure I'm still safe or you know or or that like knowing I'm safe. Yeah, it's just that It's a delicate balance I guess I don't know I am I'm struggling to like word it.

19:14.92

Nadia Ali

Um, exactly.

19:26.33

kitedart

Ah, like with me but um, wanting to lean in more to the discomfort of that and knowing that I don't have to be good and I and it's okay to I don't have to make people comfortable. You know so that's ah, that's a tricky one for sure.

19:37.82

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah, no yeah and it's tricky for sure but also assessing your like what you're saying like your safety and also your emotional energy.

19:44.94

kitedart

Yeah. Um, yeah, yeah, true. Um, yeah, That's a good part of it I think too you know for me being multicultural I've I've had I've had a decent amount of white privilege being raised in a white family. And being racially ambiguous that I feel like there's a certain amount of white privilege too where it's like um even if there's an emotional cost that like that's partly mine to bear because of the amount of privilege that I have to you know? so.

20:13.44

Nadia Ali

Um, one.

20:24.44

Nadia Ali

Um, a.

20:26.70

kitedart

And I'm just speaking for my own journey around. You know what? you're sharing. So it's ah it's an interesting one to that I've been playing with in the past few years. Yeah, so let's switch it if you don't mind to um, talking a little bit more about business and.

20:30.41

Nadia Ali

Um, totally won for sure.

20:41.40

Nadia Ali

Okay.

20:43.60

kitedart

Would you share with us just what if what if some of the the challenges around starting and and running your business been over these years.

20:53.18

Nadia Ali

Yeah I think for me, you know one of the challenges that I had was just even getting narrowed on my focus of like what am I going to focus on within my business. What are who is my um who are my potential clientele. How am I going to reach out to them what in you know how does one market. Um, so it was just I think when I made the decision to start my business I was just like I had like a million questions and um I actually had the opportunity to participate. And a business accelerator program through um, an organization called eferall and that really really helped me get clear on. You know that that program helped me get clear on what I wanted to focus on you know who is who are my potential clientele. How does one start doing business development. You know what are the tools needed to um, you know, really understand my value proposition things like that. So having that program was immensely helpful and I feel so like privileged to have been able to have that right at the start of. Launching my business.

22:06.42

kitedart

Nice yeah, and can you share what extra I mean maybe it's not extra but like have there been additional challenges or additional layers to um. To your growth as a business owner because of any of your identities that you hold.

22:25.87

Nadia Ali

Yeah, for sure I mean I feel like you know, being somebody who's visibly muslim and of South Asian Background. Um, just in terms of like how I'm perceived in various spaces. Um. How I show up, you know whether it's like for a client meeting or in my community. Um and then just like having that extra um because of my lived experience just having that awareness and understanding of how many barriers you know people of color can face and how. And also how important it is to dismantle systems of oppression like that just really fuels my fire um to help create more opportunities and then I also feel like I'm incredibly privileged because of my educational and professional background and so I'm always trying to figure Out. You know what are the ways that I can continue to. Um, play a part in creating opportunities for others while also furthering my own ah commitment to advanced social impact you know in organizations and across communities.

23:31.26

kitedart

Nice, Yeah yeah I appreciate that it I do think that. Um you know we can look at those places where we don't have privilege and or you know we we hold it oppressed identities and that.

23:48.36

kitedart

It may mean that there are definitely extra barriers to get through in terms of our business but I really appreciate too. How as you work through those for yourself and or how you use your privilege right? that you're like. Bringing others so along and and supporting their journey right? I mean that's why I'm doing this podcast right? It's like you know, um, and and that your liber you know, understanding that there are certain parts of your liberation that are tied up with everybody's liberation right? and and we're on this journey Together. So.

24:15.82

Nadia Ali

Um, rush there.

24:21.56

kitedart

Yeah I Really appreciate that and um I was going to bring up something else that you shared just about I know you did E for all which is I I don't know a ton about their program. But I've known a couple people who work there and it seems like a really great program.

24:37.68

Nadia Ali

In.

24:39.90

kitedart

Um I I Guess what I'm wondering like as you were talking about that focus and figure not who your right clients were there's a part of me in terms of when you shared about your journey here that it almost seems like it would have been fair. Fairly natural or fairly apparent that like what you wanted to do and what direction you wanted to go so but I also know that that getting that focus is really challenging for a lot of people. So Could you just maybe share a little more about that.

25:12.58

Nadia Ali

Yeah, like how I got my focus.

25:17.70

kitedart

Yeah, like how you got the focus and and kind of the tension between this was a natural progression because of sort of my journey. My experiences and also like ah what am I doing you know the the tension between those.

25:24.38

Nadia Ali

Um, on.

25:30.78

Nadia Ali

Yeah, for sure. Yeah I would say you know I always worked and I mean over for over 20 years I worked in nonprofits specifically around. Um you know health care and improving access to care. But also within those organizations I also had the opportunity to really um, increase awareness and dialogue around health equity and racial equity do a lot of work Around. Um.

26:02.32

Nadia Ali

You know workforce development and how do we help? you know I worked in a lot of ah organizations that were serving communities of color. Um and folks in Low-income um communities and so also thinking about you know how are we. Creating leadership opportunities for folks who are underrepresented or aren't getting those opportunities and then when working in the community. You know how are we creating opportunities for folks to work in organizations and train them up so that they're able to. Do that work for their community. So while being a part of um, the community as well and so just having having that thread of like you know, increasing access to care through like innovation and systems change but also thinking about the workforce and thinking About. Um, learning opportunities and things like that and so I had that lens like I think through Health care but there was also always that lens of diversity equity and inclusion I think throughout you know all of my work I just didn't you know I think language is always changing and fields are changing and so.

27:09.65

kitedart

Um.

27:09.95

Nadia Ali

You know once you start to get awareness of oh this is actually a field. This is a body of work. These are things that people are doing I'm like it started to kind of make sense to me. Oh I am doing this like this is actually something I have been doing you know. Um, and so after I had moved from New Jersey to Colorado I was working for a health center where I got involved with their diversity equity and inclusion training for new hires and so. I started to really get involved in How do you create? Um, you know a training or workshops that are interactive how how does an organization make a decision to have a training like this as part of their onboarding process to help create a shared language amongst an organization. Um, and also how do how do you facilitate these conversations and so it was a really good experience for me just I think from both of like making that connection of the things that I was doing to like what I was doing through the training now and also while developing skills and facilitation and. Um, training design and things of that nature and really learning about adult learning. Um, and so I would say I think that's like when that when that sort of evolution for me started to happen of like oh you know what? I am doing this work and I'm doing it with these types of organizations and.

28:30.49

Nadia Ali

Then I got involved locally here in Colorado when I moved out here. You know I didn't have a large professional network and I was really really craving that and so I got connected with um the boulder county leadership fellows program which is a really amazing program that is in partnership with. The chamber of commerce and the community foundation of Boulder County and it focuses on inclusive and transformational leadership and so that's like when I started to learn about you know what are the traits of an inclusive leader and how um, how are leaders across the county you know doing this type of work and how are they trying to learn more about it and so. I just started to like get connected to more and more opportunities that were centering this and it just felt very natural to me. Um, and then just through that and like people organically just started to come up to me and say hey you're doing this. Ah you know the health center you're working at are you open to doing this for my small business. This or looking at this or doing this training and I was like ok this is my there. There's something the world is telling me something I got to start my own business. Yeah.

29:34.70

kitedart

I Love it I Love it So isn't that so cool like I Just love that unfolding and I think that it's really interesting right? because because you know that the kind of accelerator program that you went through is similar to the work that I do with people and it's like.

29:38.64

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

29:50.32

Nadia Ali

You.

29:53.72

kitedart

Um, seeing how these things unfold and that it's this sort of cumulation of ah or not cu will keep accumulation and culmination maybe of ah.

30:05.41

Nadia Ali

Um, combination.

30:08.79

kitedart

Experiences and passions and skills right? that you're collecting on the way and then also I like how you even just said too. It's like oh is oh this is the thing that people do right? like that. You know there's this This is this could be a job. This could be a business. This could be you know a path and ah.

30:21.88

Nadia Ali

Right.

30:27.70

kitedart

And it sounds like it it all and and I find this to be true. Most of the time right? like the businesses that people start make perfect sense based on the things that they really care about in the world. Their journey their experiences and and you know those skills and talents. So I love that.

30:36.34

Nadia Ali

Touch me.

30:44.42

kitedart

That that happened and at the same time. It can be helpful to have ah the opportunity like you had with efer all to take that step back and get really reflective and kind of digging in I think is important to that process because you know and I work a lot of times you know I've worked with people who are just getting started.

30:54.80

Nadia Ali

Um, ah prepared.

31:03.46

kitedart

And they're taking that step back and doing that reflective work but also a lot of times. It's sort of um, can almost happen a little bit accidentally right? where people are like oh well, you're doing this thing. Could you do this for me and they start doing things but they may find themselves a couple years down the path where they're like this isn't really what I want to do like.

31:19.61

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

31:22.60

kitedart

This was a good start and and I don't think that that's wrong either right? You only know from doing it. So um, there's just a lot of ways for for businesses to unfold and to to get started and then grow and mature. Yeah I appreciate that So how about would you share with us something that you are still.

31:25.37

Nadia Ali

Um, a.

31:32.60

Nadia Ali

Um, totally.

31:42.38

kitedart

Grappling with today even after because it's ah it's a ever evolving journey. Um, what are you still grappling with now and we'll have a quick coaching conversation.

31:47.58

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah, awesome. Yeah, some things that I'm really grappling with right now. Are you know how I've been doing a lot of ah B Two B so business to business ah work through my company and what I'm really. Curious about and want to want to explore is how to market business to Consumer B to C offerings. Um, and also like different um business development strategies I feel like a lot of my work has been. You know. Quite organic like you know, word of mouth. Ah folks, you know, current clients recommending me to perspective clients and so what are some other ways that I could be you know, ah growing my business and marketing to um, potential clients.

32:37.98

kitedart

Great question, get that one a lot. So yes, you're in good company I Love that and I think that it's It's so interesting actually because I have again quite a few clients who are de I J consultants who are doing are having the same wondering.

32:54.83

Nadia Ali

Walk.

32:56.75

kitedart

And I'm not sure if this is where you're coming from I'm just curious but some of it has to do with like I've been doing all of this organizational work and it's great right to be doing that organizational work and how you described it early about sort of this holistic approach and here are people who are in relationship on a day to day basis they they and a lot of time together getting the leadership on board getting the shared language creating space for these conversations right? that that's great and that that's also not not everybody has access to that whether it be because their leadership isn't choosing to take it on or their.

33:18.60

Nadia Ali

Um, right.

33:35.56

Nadia Ali

Um I.

33:35.83

kitedart

Organization doesn't have the money for it isn't willing to spend the money on it. Um, so I'm just curious is that where some of that's coming from of like a way to um, bring in other people to the work who don't have that same access point.

33:51.37

Nadia Ali

Yeah, for sure I think part of it is you know having having something available for folks where they don't have that access where you know they don't have a consultant um with their organization that is working on these things or a staff person. You know who's focused On. Ah, these efforts but having that entryway point but also for leaders that are really hungry for connecting with other leaders about these issues sort of creating like a pure networking community and and holding that space because I'm noticing.

34:20.31

kitedart

Um, ah.

34:28.42

Nadia Ali

You know, like as the as this um field is you know, evolving emerging not just for organizations. But also you know the experiences that consultants are having around this work. It feels like there needs to be. And evolution around. Okay, well you know we did you maybe an organization consulted with me. We did all his work and it's like well how do I keep doing this work. Well I want to be able to offer different things so that folks can continue to do the work in different ways and 1 way could be by you know. Ah b to c offering of like hey leaders like nonprofit leaders or you know leaders of companies depending on you know what um who I want to market to. But if for example, I wanted to do nonprofit leaders. It's like hey do you all want to connect. Share your experiences but also learn new things and learn ways of you know, continuing this work within your organization. So that's 1 thing that I'm noticing and I would love to be able to put that offering out into the world.

35:26.65

kitedart

I love it. Awesome! Great! Thank you for sharing a little bit more about that. So a few things. So first of all I mean 1 thing I I would offer that I feel like I'm I'm taking from what you just said is to be going back to those previous clients that you've had.

35:28.84

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

35:41.86

Nadia Ali

5

35:43.81

kitedart

And when you've got those leaders because leadership can be isolating and depending on the organization right? Um, having that that peer network for leaders. Um, when they may be the only or one of a very few in an organization right? So going back to those previous clients. Um, you know, developing. You know, kind of developing what you want that offering to be and look like and going back to them. Um I also will will call out that so 1 thing that I always talk with people about is that this whole idea of like word of mouth and referrals as a business development strategy like word of Mouth. And referrals are great and they're really um I like them because they can be very organic. They are based on your reputation. They're based on you know, hopefully if those referrals come from people who were good clients right? aligned clients right? We talked about alignment earlier that.

36:34.14

Nadia Ali

Um.

36:42.90

kitedart

That that alignment is really powerful and you can get great Referrals. So I think that those things are great and and so part of it is like thinking about how those referrals but but only relying on referrals and word of mouth isn't. Particularly like empowering for you to be able to take action on it. You know what I mean and so I think that having a business development strategy where you have actual actions that you can take to go create business is very empowering and um and effective.

37:02.82

Nadia Ali

Um, right right.

37:15.66

Nadia Ali

Are.

37:17.63

kitedart

As well, right right? because we can't if we just sit back and wait for the word of mouth or referrals We it's out of our hands so to speak. Um I'm not saying that business development is always necessarily in our hands either. But it's like taking action matters. So so what? but.

37:22.90

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

37:35.70

kitedart

What I also love about the word of mouth though is that there's this organic nature. So I always like to have people think about you know what are the natural ways that you connect with people and how can you intentionally do more of those things.

37:38.66

Nadia Ali

Which is.

37:47.59

Nadia Ali

Um, and.

37:51.51

kitedart

So that you're creating more Connections. You're creating more relationships and whether those end up being people themselves who want to join you in the work. You know as the the consumer the B to C Consumer or that they may have other people that they want to connect you with um you know what are those really natural ways. For you of connecting with those leaders.

38:12.30

Nadia Ali

Um, right? yeah is ah yeah I was say can you repeat the question.

38:17.17

kitedart

And that's an actual question if you want to answer it? Yeah, so like thinking about the ways that are natural for you when you think about your passions and your skills and and just the way that you like to connect with people like what are natural ways for you to. Be connecting with other leaders in the community.

38:39.26

Nadia Ali

Yeah I love that question I think part of my actually my when you were saying all of those different things about ways to um, you know revamp or revitalize my business development strategy and even like looking at. The organic interactions I have as opportunities for potential business development I think that I am doing some of that already I just didn't know that you know I feel like you helped me bring language to it or bring life to it in this way and that's really it's validating for me I think 1 thing I always try to do is you know.

39:07.40

kitedart

Yeah.

39:15.91

Nadia Ali

Reach out to folks meet up for a coffee date have a virtual Zoom check in see how they're doing how their organization is doing I feel like you know through my through the past few years since I started my business I've connected with so many different people. Um, you know every one from like. People working within organizations to leaders of organizations. Um people having their own business. So the other piece that I really love is the the potential and the power of collaboration and so I've been able to collaborate with so many amazing um consultants. Um, and so that's also been a really good um strategy for my business is just connecting and collaborating with other consultants in this work and also regularly checking in with folks and making sure that I'm staying on top of that. Not just folks that I know but also new people.

40:08.74

kitedart

Yeah I love that and I mean even an example of how we know each other right? We know each other through consultants for good. We've gotten to know each other better and more through the jedi consultants sort of subgroup of consultants for good right? And granted the people in that group but we're all doing different forms of Jedi work.

40:16.72

Nadia Ali

Um, and yeah.

40:28.62

kitedart

And it still probably can bring new Connections New Collaborations new possibilities to that. But you know so I think it's like I think so often when people think about marketing we have this. Ah.

40:33.25

Nadia Ali

Um, absolutely.

40:48.29

kitedart

Perspective Maybe that marketing is like ads social media. Um, sorry I'm like drawing a blank on like because they're they're not the ones that I really have people focus on right like being on social media. You know.

40:56.67

Nadia Ali

Um, and.

41:05.52

Nadia Ali

Um I.

41:08.15

kitedart

Having ads whether it's social media ads or something more traditional right? that that that's what people tend to think of for marketing your website that kind of thing but the work that you do is very very relational and so your marketing strategy.

41:17.89

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

41:24.72

kitedart

In order to be in alignment with that should be very relational. So the things that you're doing right? You are taking action and you are fostering those relationships and those connections and then it just becomes a matter of um, well 1 thing I always talk about in terms of those things is because we talked about alignment is right.

41:24.77

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

41:44.73

kitedart

Of utmost importance with clients. So really talking about what you believe what? you care about the difference you're trying to make in the world and again a lot of times with marketing people are overly focused on talking about what they're selling. But I think it's talking about what we care about and what we're trying the difference we're trying to make what we care about.

42:01.42

Nadia Ali

Um, you know.

42:04.72

kitedart

Talking about those things and then that builds those relationships of people who care about what you care about which gets you the alignment and then it can become a matter of like oh hey, you're a leader you're you know you're a leader in your Organization. You run your own Business. You're a consultant like. You may not have the um access space opportunity to doing this work in a certain way I've got I've got something for you right? and put in then just putting it out there. Um, but making sure that you're taking that intentional action of continuing to make those connections have those conversations.

42:31.78

Nadia Ali

Totally.

42:41.41

kitedart

Um, and building those relationships. So yeah and and that is marketing even though it's not what people think of when they think of marketing you know, um you may generate.

42:47.52

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah, yeah, such a good point. Yeah.

42:55.81

kitedart

Like I I think content marketing is great but when I think about say like social media I think social media can be good for like content marketing. But you're probably not going to sell much of anything on social media right? Unless it's super aligned to what you're selling which might be some.

43:04.72

Nadia Ali

Right? yeah.

43:15.40

kitedart

Group program that's on social media. You know products sure I mean they're different things but that that um, those kinds of things are I think just ways for people to get to know you better, but it's not as deep. Yeah, so.

43:16.71

Nadia Ali

Um, right? yeah.

43:29.31

Nadia Ali

Yeah, for sure.

43:34.12

kitedart

Um, with that I'm wondering based on what you're already doing based on how you like to connect to people I hear that you like um, the trainings and the experience as well. Like that creating experiences for people to learn so that would be another thing I'd call in that perhaps.

43:47.13

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

43:53.61

kitedart

Doing you know some free events where you're creating those experiences for people so that they're sort of getting that little bite size taste test so to speak just like how that's worked with organizations that can work with individuals as well.

44:00.58

Nadia Ali

A great idea I Love that I think that's such a good idea I should totally do that. Yeah.

44:14.88

kitedart

Yeah, yeah, it's a great strategy and and if it's something you like again I think it should be in alignment with what you already naturally like to do but getting those experiences um give people that like insight into.

44:22.60

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

44:30.52

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah for sure.

44:31.10

kitedart

What this work can do for them and then help them get to know you better and decide if they want to keep working with you. Yeah, yeah, and then I think the stuff social media is just the great place to go talk about what you care about more than trying to sell there.

44:36.90

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah, what's good I like it.

44:50.31

kitedart

You know.

44:50.84

Nadia Ali

Yeah, for sure and I feel like that's something I've had ah another that's another challenge of mine is how do I maintain the momentum on my social media I Do think that it's good to have a social media presence as a small business. It just kind of. You know, gives people somewhere to go somewhere to learn a little bit more about you and you know it's not deep, but it's a little something. Um and so I've been That's another challenge of mine is like how do I create more space for my set because I actually do enjoy that aspect of the business of like um.

45:12.75

kitedart

It's great.

45:22.10

Nadia Ali

Developing social media posts or doing some writing and so I'm trying to figure out ways to build into my schedule how I can do that a little bit more regularly.

45:31.20

kitedart

Yeah I do think consistency matters. Um, and it's so I I hate social media I'm just so not about it like you'll see me a little bit on Linkedin. But other than that anything else you see for the most part 98% of it is I've paid someone to do it. It is not my space so you can pay someone to do it. That's one option. Um, but but if you enjoy it I mean I think it's about really going with what you enjoy what you like like I think that when we do build plans like for that kind of marketing or that kind of content creation.

45:49.45

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

46:02.30

kitedart

Again, it needs to be in alignment with what you're good at and what you like to do and so setting it up in such a way that it works for you I am not going to go create those Facebook posts or Instagram or like I am a clueless wonder i.

46:05.69

Nadia Ali

Um, totally.

46:11.66

Nadia Ali

Um, he.

46:15.93

Nadia Ali

Um, my.

46:19.23

kitedart

Don't know I don't care I don't want to I've created those plans and not followed them more times than I'd like to admit so I do a podcast because I like to talk to cool people and I get to show up and talk to Nadia and this is my content creation. So.

46:21.43

Nadia Ali

Um, right.

46:28.82

Nadia Ali

Yeah, yeah.

46:35.94

kitedart

Looking for the ways that you can do it that are in alignment with with what you like to do and how you like to do it and you don't have to do all the things like pick pick one and get consistent with 1 and consistent doesn't have to be five days a week consistent can be one day a week or two days a week

46:47.50

Nadia Ali

Um, no.

46:52.46

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

46:55.33

kitedart

Like but picking something that you like to do you feel drawn into doing and that you will do is way more powerful than trying to subscribe to what anybody else says you should do Yeah, that's my take.

47:03.95

Nadia Ali

Um, right? So true.

47:11.50

kitedart

And then just how can you and and then even in terms of like carving off the time right? like I know you know you've got a lot of things going on and so it's not like your time is inless so figure out a way to make it work for you. Whether that be like I'm going to block out 4 hours a month and I'm going to batch you know, 8 social media posts for the month or

47:27.95

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

47:30.14

kitedart

Whatever that is you know or if it's doing a little bit every week. Whatever whatever structure, Whatever um, way of implementing that that will work with you? Yeah yeah I Hope that's helpful any any other questions on that any other little. Um.

47:38.59

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah, thank you for that.

47:49.80

kitedart

Pieces you'd like to chat about.

47:50.18

Nadia Ali

No I think that covers all of my questions for now.

47:55.20

kitedart

Awesome! Cool cool. Hopefully that's helpful. Um, so just to get wrapped up I have 2 last questions the first one. Ah, these are just quick answers. The first one is what does entrepreneurial activism mean to you.

48:07.39

Nadia Ali

Oh my gosh I Love that question I would say entrepreneurial I sometimes have trouble saying the words. So I it's a little bit of a tongue twister. Can we just you know say that.

48:18.40

kitedart

I Know it's obnoxious. Ah.

48:23.73

kitedart

Yeah, we can.

48:25.20

Nadia Ali

But but um, you know I think and I think entrepreneurial Activism what it means to me is being an entrepreneur who is ah really um. Grounded in their values and their purpose and want to make a difference in the world. Um, you know are socially conscious um are intentional. Um and excited to make um a social impact.

48:54.73

kitedart

Love it. Thank you so much. It's only easier for me to say because I say it all the time I talk about it all the time at kite and dart. So it's take it a while. Thanks for sharing that and then lastly will you please share how people connect with you if they would like to learn more.

49:11.64

Nadia Ali

Yeah, for sure. So if um, folks would like to connect with me. They can go to my website. It's w ww ww dot idealabs in action.com or um on Facebook and Instagram my handle is at. Idea Labs in action.

49:29.85

kitedart

Great. Thank you so much and and I'm going to say that probably people listening if you are not 1 of the fortunate people who gets to work with Nadia through your organization. It sounds like we may have some b to c offerings coming soon. So maybe keep an eye out for those definitely encourage.

49:41.41

Nadia Ali

Um, yeah.

49:47.27

kitedart

I mean I've been doing my own work around dei well started in college and then I kind of really reengaged with it in about 2018 and it's just an ongoing It's an ongoing journey and um, not only do i. Bring that lens to the work I do but I do that work for myself as well. So I really do encourage people to whether it's with Nadia or somebody else to like look for those places where where you can dive in and um and and do your own work and your own learning. So. Ah, with that Nadia thank you so much for being here today with me. It was a pleasure to talk with you.

50:22.46

Nadia Ali

Well thank you so much. This is so wonderful.