Balanced Black Girl Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Taking Risks in Your Career with Tori Bell
Host: Les
Guest: Tori Bell
Release Date: January 21, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Balanced Black Girl, host Les welcomes Tori Bell, the founder of Inclusion Unpacked, to delve into the intricacies of taking career risks, pivoting professionally, and maintaining self-care amidst entrepreneurial challenges. The conversation offers deep insights into navigating the corporate landscape, especially for Black women, and emphasizes the importance of balancing ambition with personal well-being.

Career Journey and Professional Pivots

Tori Bell shares her professional trajectory, highlighting her roles at Jopwell—a diversity and inclusion hiring platform—and Meta, where she managed internal culture and community initiatives. At Meta, Tori founded the employee resource group Black Women at Meta, scaling it to over 3,000 members globally. This initiative stemmed from her observation of significant burnout and HR violations among Black women within the organization.

Notable Quote:
"When things don't feel right, I like to make a change. I don't like to do things that everybody else has. I like to create and chart a new path for myself."
— [03:29] Tori Bell

Founding Inclusion Unpacked

The genesis of Inclusion Unpacked is rooted in Tori’s experiences at Meta and the broader tech industry's approach to diversity. She envisioned a membership community where startups could integrate diversity and inclusion from their inception, ensuring these values are embedded into their company culture as they grow.

Tori discusses the challenges she faced post-MBA at Columbia, where despite initial successes and securing VC interest, she encountered significant hurdles in funding, leading to financial instability and burnout.

Notable Quote:
"I started the idea while I was at Facebook... Inclusion Unpacked was born from that experience of wanting to capture startups and founders early in their journey."
— [05:34] Tori Bell

Challenges with Venture Capital

A pivotal moment in Tori’s journey was her experience with a venture capitalist (VC) who ultimately failed to deliver promised funds. This setback left her financially strained and questioning her path. Tori candidly recounts the emotional toll, including moments of doubt and the critical support received from her family.

Notable Quote:
"I will never allow myself to get to a point where I'm not pouring into myself. I just want to continue to nourish myself, continue to just take care of myself."
— [43:25] Tori Bell

Balancing Entrepreneurship and Self-Care

Les and Tori emphasize the importance of self-care and maintaining personal well-being while pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions. Tori highlights the role of a support system, including life coaches and therapists, in helping her navigate the pressures of building a business without sacrificing her mental health.

Notable Quote:
"It feels like a team. It feels like we're all in this to better me. It's so Leo coded."
— [45:53] Tori Bell

Diversity and Inclusion in the Modern Corporate Landscape

The conversation shifts to the evolving state of diversity and inclusion (D&I) within organizations. Tori expresses concern over the politicization of D&I efforts and the backlash seen in some sectors, contrasting this with companies like Costco that remain committed to these values.

Notable Quote:
"When it's baked in from the beginning, it's so much easier to continue the good work."
— [34:16] Tori Bell

Tori articulates the necessity for startups to prioritize D&I from the outset, ensuring that these principles are integral to their business model rather than being superficial add-ons.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Tori offers invaluable advice to fellow entrepreneurs, especially women of color. She advocates for maintaining financial sovereignty, avoiding the depletion of personal resources, and embracing a balanced approach to business growth. Tori encourages founders to seek support, remain resilient in the face of setbacks, and foster inclusive environments within their companies.

Notable Quote:
"You have to think of yourself as a tree. At the trunk is you, and the branches are all the different aspects of your life. Take care of the trunk, and the branches will flourish."
— [44:21] Tori Bell

Conclusion and Takeaways

Les and Tori conclude the episode by reiterating the significance of holistic self-care in achieving professional success. Tori’s journey underscores that taking calculated risks, seeking support, and embedding core values like diversity and inclusion are essential for sustainable career growth and personal fulfillment.

Listeners are encouraged to follow Tori's work with Inclusion Unpacked and leverage the insights shared to navigate their own career paths with resilience and balance.

Connect with Tori Bell

For those inspired by Tori's story and looking to engage with Inclusion Unpacked, you can follow her on:

• Instagram: @ToriBell__
• LinkedIn: Tori Bell

Visit Inclusion Unpacked to learn more about fostering diversity and inclusion within your organization.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that career risks, when balanced with self-care and supported by a strong community, can lead to meaningful personal and professional growth. Tori Bell’s candid discussion provides valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of building a career while maintaining personal well-being.