Blink Equity is a leading consultancy firm dedicated to creating equitable solutions for organizations worldwide. We specialize in driving positive change through diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Our team of trusted advisors works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies, implement best practices, and foster inclusive cultures. From providing training and workshops to guiding long-term diversity strategies, we are committed to helping organizations build equitable workplaces where every individual feels valued and empowered.
Tell us about yourself?
My background and previous experiences have shaped my journey into founding Blink Equity. As a Black man navigating a corporate career in Canada, I faced numerous challenges and realized the lack of representation and opportunities for individuals like myself. This realization became the driving force behind my decision to create Blink Equity.
I witnessed a significant gap that specifically affected Black men, creating a sense of anomaly and aspiration that was not aligned with the status quo. Recognizing the need to create more spaces and opportunities for individuals who looked like me, I founded Blink Equity. What initially started as a mission to promote career advancement evolved into a broader vision of creating opportunities both within and outside the workplace for the Black community.
Studying economics and finance in school provided me with the knowledge and tools to translate the value propositions of diversity programs to corporations. I strongly believe that our work at Blink Equity should make a business case for diversity, showcasing the financial benefits that diversity brings to organizations. We aim to help organizations find and grow the best talent, increasing their competitive advantage by embracing a diverse workforce. Having individuals from different backgrounds and experiences bring fresh perspectives and market insights that can address challenges faced by customers and reflect the realities of the world we live in.
Volunteer work further inspired me to pursue this path. Working with young Black professionals and aspiring individuals, I witnessed the needs of our community and the impact that corporations could have by supporting and sponsoring events. This experience fueled the idea of proactive community outreach by organizations aiming to inspire and encourage future employees. By bridging the gap between corporations and the community, Blink Equity strives to create groundbreaking opportunities and facilitate meaningful connections.
In summary, my personal experiences navigating the corporate world as a Black individual, combined with my education and volunteer work, motivated me to start Blink Equity. We are dedicated to creating more equitable and inclusive spaces, driving positive change, and empowering the Black community.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
If I could go back in time and give myself a piece of advice, it would be to start sooner and have faith in the journey. The sooner you start, the sooner you will find success and the right people who align with your vision will come alongside you. It’s not necessary to have all the resources or know exactly who those people are before you begin. The key is to take that first step, put yourself out there, and trust that things will fall into place. The momentum you create will attract the resources and support your need. So, start sooner, start faster, and don’t be overly concerned about the resources you may lack. Go all in and embrace the journey with confidence.
What problem does your business solve?
The business I have started, Blink Equity, solves the problem of underrepresentation and lack of diversity within organizations. We recognize the commercial value that diversity brings to companies, including cost savings, talent attraction, market expansion opportunities, and fueling innovation. Our inspiration comes from the realization that diversity is not just the right thing to do but also a strategic advantage for businesses.
Many organizations still view diversity as a virtue without fully understanding its true potential for driving profitability. Blink Equity aims to help organizations unlock the true value of diversity by offering services that demonstrate the financial benefits and capitalistic opportunities it presents. We believe that by promoting diversity, we can not only make a profit but also create a positive social impact.
In summary, Blink Equity solves the problem of underrepresentation by helping organizations recognize the commercial value of diversity and create a more equitable and inclusive world.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
The inspiration behind starting this business, Blink Equity, stems from two primary factors. Firstly, there is a personal ambition to create a middle class in Africa, driven by a desire to uplift communities and foster socioeconomic development. However, this personal ambition alone does not solely motivate the business.
The true inspiration for starting Blink Equity came from recognizing the commercial value that diversity brings to organizations. This includes cost savings through improved retention, attracting top talent, and capitalizing on market innovations and expansion opportunities. It became evident that diversity is not only the right thing to do but also a powerful driver of innovation and success.
This realization provided a commercial purpose for starting the business. Blink Equity aims to help organizations understand and uncover the true value of diversity, both as a virtue and as a capitalistic avenue for profit. Many organizations have yet to fully comprehend the financial benefits that diversity can offer, and this serves as the driving force behind Blink Equity’s mission.
Additionally, the business is compelled to act now because advancing Black people and minority communities, particularly in developing countries, holds immense potential. By placing individuals from these communities in positions within world-class organizations that have global business interests, equity can be resold in various geographies. This challenges the status quo and creates social justice for those who lack adequate representation and regulations. Blink Equity goes beyond diversity, equity, and inclusion. It delves into areas such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, supply chain equity, and promoting equity in regions like India, Africa, the Middle East, and more.
In summary, the inspiration for Blink Equity is twofold, driven by a personal ambition to create a middle class in Africa and recognize the commercial value of diversity for organizations. The business aims to solve the problem of organizations not fully understanding the financial benefits of diversity, and its mission extends to challenging the status quo, promoting social justice, and advancing equity in developing countries and across various geographies.
What is your magic sauce?
Our magic sauce lies in two key aspects: our exceptional team and our evidence-based approach.
Firstly, our team is the driving force behind our success. We have assembled a talented and dedicated group of individuals who have worked tirelessly to build and shape our business. Their expertise, passion, and commitment have been instrumental in bringing Blink Equity to where it is today. We firmly believe that people buy from and hire people, and our strong team sets us apart from the competition.
Secondly, our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices. We understand that there is nothing truly new under the sun, and we leverage existing research, articles, and academic journals to inform our programs and solutions. By relying on proven methodologies and adapting them to the unique goals and mission statements of our clients, we provide tailored and effective solutions. This sets us apart from competitors who may take a more trial-and-error approach, launching diversity programs without a solid foundation or a track record of success. We prioritize scalability and aim to create systemic change with measurable impacts.
By combining our exceptional team with an evidence-based approach, we differentiate ourselves in the market. Our focus on delivering impactful and sustainable solutions sets us apart and ensures that our clients receive the highest level of service and value.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
Our vision for the next five years is to significantly expand our impact and reach on a global scale. We aim to leverage the power of global brands to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in communities where these values may not be widely embraced or protected. Our goal is to open offices in various regions or other parts of the world where there may be limited freedoms and human rights protections.
By establishing a presence in these regions, we can bring corporate values of inclusivity to societies that may not have the same level of freedom and liberty as experienced in Canada. Our focus is on leveraging global brands to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in these communities. This involves creating environments where people from different ethnic backgrounds, with different languages and ways of life, feel valued and included.
Ultimately, our mission is to help organizations drive change everywhere they operate. By using corporations as agents of change, we aim to bring about a more inclusive and equitable world. Our vision is to empower organizations to embrace diversity and create meaningful change in communities around the globe.
Through our efforts, we seek to foster environments where individuals, regardless of their background, feel a sense of belonging and have equal opportunities for growth and success. By promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion on a global scale, we strive to make a significant and lasting impact on societies and organizations worldwide.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Finding genuine people who share the same goals and understand the vision of the company has been one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced so far. Building a team of individuals who are passionate about driving positive change and committed to our mission has been essential for our success. It takes time and effort to find the right people who align with our values and are dedicated to creating equitable solutions. However, by prioritizing our hiring process and fostering a strong company culture, we have been able to overcome this challenge and build a team that is truly aligned with our vision.
How can people get involved?
You can reach us at info@blinkequity.ca.