We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erin Perkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erin below.
Erin, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
Reflecting on my personal journey of building a business, I’ve come to appreciate the transformative power of experiences that shaped my empathy. Before, I was a “cut and dry” type of person, believing that things should remain as they are.
In 2019, I joined Tide Risers, where I learned the value of actively listening to others as they shared their stories and challenges. Through this practice of listening without the ability to react or respond, I was able to start to cultivate a profound sense of empathy.
As I embarked on this journey of self-reflection and self-awareness, particularly in relation to my experience as a deafblind woman, I dedicated time to understand my own emotions, biases, and reactions. This introspection enabled me to approach others’ experiences with deep empathy and compassion. It also helped me recognize the interconnectedness that we all share as human beings, forging an even stronger bond with those around me.
Armed with this knowledge, my desire to create an environment of open-mindedness and champion inclusivity and understanding grew stronger. Personal struggles have enabled me to relate to others’ pain, offering a compassionate ear and support when needed. These experiences reinforced my belief that a touch of kindness can make a significant impact.
Running my own business has provided opportunities to connect and learn from people around the globe, exposing me to diverse cultures, belief systems, and societal issues. These encounters have been instrumental in nurturing my empathy.
The conditions that fostered the development of my empathy revolved around creating an inclusive environment, practicing self-reflection, seeking education and exposure to diverse perspectives, and drawing from personal experiences. Cultivating empathy is an ever-evolving journey, and I am steadfast in my commitment to foster understanding, compassion, and empathy in all facets of life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a founder of Mabely Q and Successible, I am dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to embrace accessibility as a fundamental value. As an accessibility educator, CEO, and founder, I understand the importance of making information and resources available to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
Successible is not just another membership; it’s a movement. I believe that accessibility should be integrated seamlessly into all aspects of business and society. By championing inclusive practices, we can create a world where everyone has equal access to opportunities, resources, and experiences.
My mission at Successible is to provide a comprehensive suite of services that enable businesses to meet and exceed accessibility standards. You’ll have access to resources, tools and strategies that help you create – and sustain – an equitable and accessible workplace.
I understand that accessibility can feel like a complex and overwhelming topic, heck, even I struggled with understanding it! That’s why I’m here to guide you every step of the way. I believe in building strong partnerships with my clients, working closely with them to ensure their success in creating an accessible and inclusive environment.
When you choose Successible, you gain more than just a service provider; you gain a trusted partner who is committed to your success. We are passionate about making a difference and helping you make a positive impact in the lives of your customers and employees.
Join us in embracing accessibility as a core value and let’s work together to create a more inclusive and successful future. Together, we can make a difference and empower everyone to reach their full potential.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back as to what has helped me shape my journey to get to where I am today, I have found that it has been a combination of things. From having mentors, to reading books and attending seminars,
1. Networking: I’ve made incredible connections over the years with people who are doing amazing things in their own right. These connections have opened up opportunities for me to work on projects that may have never presented themselves.
2. Keeping an Open Mind and Pivot: In the corporate world, there was always a set of rules. Things just had to be done one way over another. And that affected me a lot. Now, as a independent business owner, keeping an open mind was and still is so essential to succeeding. I started to opened up more and started listening to new perspectives without prejudice. It has allowed me to develop core skills that have been invaluable as I moved onto different projects.
3. Learning from Experience: Every project I’ve worked on has been like a learning experience, where I take away something every time. By taking the time to learn from my experiences, it has helped me develop more rounded knowledge about how to approach each new situation.
For those who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey, here’s some advice:
1. Never Stop Learning: Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning journey. Embrace every opportunity to gain new insights, acquire new skills, and expand your knowledge base. Be open to feedback and iterate upon your ideas. Remember, every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.
2. Build a Supportive Network: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your passion and ambition. Seek mentors, join entrepreneurial communities, and connect with fellow founders. Don’t just join the first community you find, get to know the folks, find what feels good to you. Not every community is the right fit. Having a support system will not only provide guidance and encouragement but also open doors to valuable opportunities.
3. Stay Focused and Consistent: Success rarely happens overnight. Maintain a laser focus on your long-term goals while consistently taking small steps towards achieving them. Celebrate small victories (do a little dance, toot your own horn) along the way, as they will keep you motivated and remind you of the progress you’re making.
Remember, the journey of entrepreneurship is as much about personal growth as it is about business success.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m a huge fan of collaboration. I believe that accessibility is something that should be a core part of every single business.
When it comes to collaboration, I believe in finding individuals who share a similar passion for inclusivity and are dedicated to making a positive impact. To me, collaboration is about leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re an accessibility expert, a content creator, a technology enthusiast, or coach, someone with a unique perspective on inclusivity, I am open to exploring potential partnerships.
Some potential collaborations could be:
Guest speaking on your podcast
Writing a newsletter/blog for your audience (can be customized to suit your audience)
Instagram Live
Workshop for your members
I am excited to hear your ideas, explore potential synergies, and make a meaningful impact together.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.mabelyq.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mabely_q/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MabelyQ
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mabely-q
Image Credits
Light & Bright photos are by https://www.caitkramer.com/ Photos from Workshop (darker ones) are from GET Cities (photographer not known)
