When I received that “time-sensitive” meeting notice at my previous employer last October, I knew in my gut what was coming. After years as a designer creating experiences for corporate events, ensuring brand compliance, and working with an incredible team that always had my back, my journey there was coming to an end. The news hit me with a mix of emotions – shame, sadness, but also a strange sense of readiness. Throughout my career, I’ve always kept one foot on the ground, maintaining an exit strategy even in the best environments. Corporate life is unpredictable; the most stable situation can change in an instant.
A New Chapter Begins
This transition marked a pivotal moment in my career. Instead of seeking another corporate role, I made the decision to join Hyphens and Spaces full-time, a DEI consulting firm I co-founded with my wife Samira in 2019. While I had been involved part-time, handling marketing, communications, and operations on weekends, this was my opportunity to fully commit to building something meaningful for my family. What started as a shared vision between partners in life became a shared mission to transform workplace cultures. The vulnerability of this decision weighs heavy – there’s a unique fear in betting on yourself that differs from the perceived security of corporate employment.
The Weight of Entrepreneurship
It’s fascinating how we can feel more secure working in corporate roles that aren’t actually guaranteed, versus taking control of our own destiny. This realization has led me to examine my own relationship with security and risk. The truth is, working for yourself offers something invaluable: control over your wins and failures, the ability to shape your own path, and the opportunity to build something truly meaningful. Yet with this control comes tremendous responsibility and a new kind of vulnerability I hadn’t experienced before.
Leading with Empathy in DEI
While my role at Hyphens and Spaces differs from my design career, I’m bringing the same creativity and dedication to this new chapter. The skills I’ve developed over years of creative work translate beautifully into DEI consulting – the ability to listen deeply, think innovatively and create meaningful connections. My understanding of empathy, inclusion, equity, diversity, and belonging is grounded in both lived experience and an unwavering commitment to creating positive change.
A Promise to Our Clients and Community
To every organization we work with, I make this promise: our partnership will be grounded in unwavering empathy, clear purpose, and genuine compassion. I’m entering this role as both a leader and a student, knowing that the best ways to serve our clients come from a place of continuous learning and authentic engagement. In our current social climate, the work we do at Hyphens and Spaces holds more importance than ever. Each interaction is an opportunity to create meaningful change, to help organizations build cultures where everyone truly belongs.
A Letter to My Future Self
I want to remember this moment of vulnerability – the uncertainty, the fear, and the determination to push through despite it all. As Hyphens and Spaces grows, I want to retain this humility and hunger for learning. This isn’t just about business growth; it’s about creating lasting change in how organizations approach diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The path ahead may be uncertain, but Samira and I are committed to approaching it with the same dedication I brought to my corporate career, now amplified by the purpose of building something truly transformative. We’re here to fight for change – through compassion, understanding, and unwavering commitment to creating spaces where everyone belongs.
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, organizations need partners who understand both the human and strategic elements of cultural transformation. At Hyphens and Spaces, we believe real change happens through authentic connections, deep understanding, and carefully crafted solutions that honor each organization’s unique journey. Together, we can build workplaces where diversity thrives, equity prevails, and every voice matters.
