October 30, 2024

Why We Need to Talk About Hidden Disabilities in the Workplace

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8THIRTYFOUR

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Let’s get real about something that pisses us off: we have an entire talent pool of capable, dedicated workers that employers are completely ignoring. And it’s not just hurting these potential employees – it’s hurting businesses too.

We recently sat down with Jennifer VanSkiver from Special Olympics Michigan on our Happy Hour Hustle podcast and holy hell, did she drop some truth bombs about inclusivity in hiring. This conversation hit home because it perfectly illustrates what we’ve been preaching at 8THIRTYFOUR: sometimes the best talent comes in packages we’re not programmed to recognize.

The Reality Check We All Need

The episode spotlights an uncomfortable truth: society wasn’t built for people with disabilities, visible or hidden. We put the burden on them to adapt, to explain, to justify their place in our workplaces. How messed up is that?

Jennifer shared the story of her daughter CJ, who works as a nurse tech at Corewell Health. Here’s the kicker – CJ has what’s called a “hidden disability,” but she’s absolutely crushing it in a role that traditionally sees high turnover. She’s been there for five years, proving that when we look past our preconceptions, everyone wins.

The Business Case for Inclusion

Want to hear something wild? Many positions that companies struggle to keep filled could be perfect opportunities for individuals with different abilities. But instead of tapping into this dedicated workforce, we’re stuck in old patterns of thinking about who can do what.

Why You Need to Listen to the Full Episode

We could go on about this all day (and trust us, we have), but you really need to hear this conversation for yourself. Jennifer breaks down:

The reality of hidden disabilities in the workplace
How societal expectations create unnecessary barriers
Real solutions for businesses looking to expand their talent pool
The transformative impact of giving people a chance

Plus, there’s an amazing story about Snoop Dogg that has nothing to do with what you’d expect. You’ll have to listen to find out more about that one.

The Bottom Line

It’s 2024, and it’s time we stopped ignoring talent just because it doesn’t fit our preconceived notions of what an “ideal employee” looks like. This isn’t just about doing the right thing – though that should be enough. It’s about smart business decisions that benefit everyone.

Ready to have your assumptions challenged? Head over to your favorite podcast platform and listen to the full episode of Happy Hour Hustle. Trust me, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

And if you’re an employer? Maybe it’s time to rethink who you’re overlooking in your hiring process. Your next great employee might just be someone you never considered before.

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The power of the Women`s Entrepreneurial Fellowship, in a graduate`s own words:

"Growth is never accidental, it comes from being willing to learn, adapt, and embrace change. After nine months of dedication, reflection, and business development, I proudly graduated from the Women`s Entrepreneurial Fellowship (WEF) during the Small Business Association of Michigan Annual Meeting.

Throughout the program, I challenged myself to evaluate every aspect of my business, celebrating what was working while identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. The journey was made even more meaningful through the support of an incredible cohort of women entrepreneurs, the guidance of mentor Gina Jacquart Thorsen, and the leadership of bodespeaks and her team.

A sincere thank you to smallbusinessassocofmichigan for investing in second-stage women business owners and creating opportunities that empower entrepreneurs to build stronger, more sustainable businesses."

— Mary A. Barton, President and CEO of Equitable Accounting Solutions and proud WEF graduate.

Applications for the next cohort are now open. Link in comments.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18099893149922914

The power of the Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship, in a graduate's own words:

"Growth is never accidental, it comes from being willing to learn, adapt, and embrace change. After nine months of dedication, reflection, and business development, I proudly graduated from the Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship (WEF) during the Small Business Association of Michigan Annual Meeting.

Throughout the program, I challenged myself to evaluate every aspect of my business, celebrating what was working while identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. The journey was made even more meaningful through the support of an incredible cohort of women entrepreneurs, the guidance of mentor Gina Jacquart Thorsen, and the leadership of bodespeaks and her team.

A sincere thank you to smallbusinessassocofmichigan for investing in second-stage women business owners and creating opportunities that empower entrepreneurs to build stronger, more sustainable businesses."

— Mary A. Barton, President and CEO of Equitable Accounting Solutions and proud WEF graduate.

Applications for the next cohort are now open. Link in comments.

"Out of failure comes growth – you have to see it as an opportunity."

bodespeaks joined cuzzinjustin on the strictlyfromnowhere Podcast for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, embracing your superpowers, and building a personal brand that`s actually yours, the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between. And naturally, dropped an f-bomb or two along the way. You don`t want to miss it.

Full episode in the comments 👇

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AI doesn`t treat every source equally; it trusts what`s credible, cited, and current, like news coverage.

Showing up in the right places isn`t just good PR. It`s how the robots (and the humans) get you right.

Read the full blog at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18141485725556889

AI doesn't treat every source equally; it trusts what's credible, cited, and current, like news coverage.

Showing up in the right places isn't just good PR. It's how the robots (and the humans) get you right.

Read the full blog at the link in bio.

"If you don`t get up and grind every day, the needle isn`t gonna move."

We sat down with brandonmccraney, founder and Master Blender behind olderaleighdistillery in Zebulon, North Carolina. Brandon spent fifteen years just thinking about whiskey before he finally opened his doors, and even then it took four more years, a dozen rejections, construction delays, and a global pandemic to get there. Two years later, Olde Raleigh had already won Best Micro Distillery in the US.

Check out the latest episode of Happy Hour Hustle, where Brandon shares what it actually took to grow a business through COVID, the military discipline that kept him going when everything else said quit, and how working with people turned out to be the hardest part of the job.

Listen to Happy Hour Hustle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and watch the whole episode on Youtube. Link in bio.

23 2

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"If you don't get up and grind every day, the needle isn't gonna move."

We sat down with brandonmccraney, founder and Master Blender behind olderaleighdistillery in Zebulon, North Carolina. Brandon spent fifteen years just thinking about whiskey before he finally opened his doors, and even then it took four more years, a dozen rejections, construction delays, and a global pandemic to get there. Two years later, Olde Raleigh had already won Best Micro Distillery in the US.

Check out the latest episode of Happy Hour Hustle, where Brandon shares what it actually took to grow a business through COVID, the military discipline that kept him going when everything else said quit, and how working with people turned out to be the hardest part of the job.

Listen to Happy Hour Hustle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and watch the whole episode on Youtube. Link in bio.

It`s 9 months that is impossible to sum up in a video - but here`s just a taste.

This Women`s Entrepreneurial Fellowship is resources, mentorship, and connections that you can`t build anywhere else. We`re so exicted for what the next cohort will bring.

Apply now at the link in bio.
smallbusinessassocofmichigan

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17895511302506558

It's 9 months that is impossible to sum up in a video - but here's just a taste.

This Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship is resources, mentorship, and connections that you can't build anywhere else. We're so exicted for what the next cohort will bring.

Apply now at the link in bio.
smallbusinessassocofmichigan

Another cohort of the Women`s Entrepreneurial Fellowship just graduated, and honestly, the numbers only tell half the story.

The real value comes from the friendships, the business (and life) changing advice, and the community that shows up long after the program ends.

As one fellow said: "The other women in that room are not your competition. They are your curriculum."

Congrats to this incredible group.

Read the latest program blog at the link in bio.

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