Building a Foundation for Positive Change: Masla’s Approach with The Unscented Company
Background on The Unscented Company
At Masla Empathy Lab, we collaborated with The Unscented Company to address JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) topics within their organization. The Unscented Company, a certified B Corporation, was founded in 2011 and launched in 2016 with a focus on producing “clean” products using natural ingredients and designing sustainable packaging for conscious living.
Their mission revolves around altering consumer habits to protect the environment and reduce plastic waste, making their products appealing to individuals dedicated to making healthier choices for their bodies and the planet.
What Were We Hoping the Outcome Was?
During our work with The Unscented Company, we aimed to conduct five training sessions throughout 2022. Our goal was to create a safe environment where the team of fourteen employees could have meaningful conversations about JEDI topics, share experiences, ask questions, and gain insights. We believed this was a crucial first step in educating ourselves and fostering informed discussions and company practices that addressed JEDI concerns.
The “Challenge”
Around 2019/2020, The Unscented Company began having discussions about JEDI topics, reflecting on both their internal practices and the rapidly changing external world. Social movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter gained traction globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting companies like The Unscented Company to reevaluate their practices and beliefs.
In an interview with Halina Torresan, the Sustainability Marketing Director, she mentioned that while their organization felt comfortable discussing sustainability and the environment, they were uncertain about engaging in conversations related to prevalent social movements. They wanted to contribute to positive social change but were unsure where to begin. This led them to seek out JEDI consultant Masla Empathy Lab, and our collaboration with The Unscented Company began in January 2022.
Methodology / Outcome
In the training sessions, we used various tactics to provide the team with a comprehensive understanding of JEDI-related topics. We shared experiences and presented slideshows based on research and findings, creating a foundation of knowledge for The Unscented Team. Our primary role was to facilitate conversations, introducing JEDI principles and concepts and encouraging the team to have insightful discussions and brainstorming sessions.
We ensured that the team felt comfortable during the sessions and emphasized that there were no right answers; we valued honesty and openness. Our goal was to improve humans and society by encouraging introspection and challenging the team to explore new subjects.
The outcomes of our work were evident as The Unscented Company felt more informed and enlightened.
The training sessions sparked essential JEDI conversations, leading to lasting changes in their outlook. They plan to use more inclusive language in their copywriting, feature models of diverse racial backgrounds, and represent various socio-economic backgrounds in their photoshoots. Our training also increased their awareness of biases in their hiring practices.
Conclusion
Our work with The Unscented Company had a profound impact, challenging the team to adopt diverse ways of thinking and fostering an open and comfortable environment for JEDI-related conversations. We provided them with a foundation of knowledge to make better-informed decisions for their company and contribute to positive changes in the world.
Background on The Unscented Company
At Masla Empathy Lab, we collaborated with The Unscented Company to address JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) topics within their organization. The Unscented Company, a certified B Corporation, was founded in 2011 and launched in 2016 with a focus on producing “clean” products using natural ingredients and designing sustainable packaging for conscious living.
Their mission revolves around altering consumer habits to protect the environment and reduce plastic waste, making their products appealing to individuals dedicated to making healthier choices for their bodies and the planet.
The “Challenge”
Around 2019/2020, The Unscented Company began having discussions about JEDI topics, reflecting on both their internal practices and the rapidly changing external world. Social movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter gained traction globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting companies like The Unscented Company to reevaluate their practices and beliefs.
In an interview with Halina Torresan, the Sustainability Marketing Director, she mentioned that while their organization felt comfortable discussing sustainability and the environment, they were uncertain about engaging in conversations related to prevalent social movements. They wanted to contribute to positive social change but were unsure where to begin. This led them to seek out JEDI consultant Masla Empathy Lab, and our collaboration with The Unscented Company began in January 2022.
What Were We Hoping the Outcome Was?
During our work with The Unscented Company, we aimed to conduct five training sessions throughout 2022. Our goal was to create a safe environment where the team of fourteen employees could have meaningful conversations about JEDI topics, share experiences, ask questions, and gain insights. We believed this was a crucial first step in educating ourselves and fostering informed discussions and company practices that addressed JEDI concerns.
Methodology / Outcome
In the training sessions, we used various tactics to provide the team with a comprehensive understanding of JEDI-related topics. We shared experiences and presented slideshows based on research and findings, creating a foundation of knowledge for The Unscented Team. Our primary role was to facilitate conversations, introducing JEDI principles and concepts and encouraging the team to have insightful discussions and brainstorming sessions.
We ensured that the team felt comfortable during the sessions and emphasized that there were no right answers; we valued honesty and openness. Our goal was to improve humans and society by encouraging introspection and challenging the team to explore new subjects.
The outcomes of our work were evident as The Unscented Company felt more informed and enlightened.
The training sessions sparked essential JEDI conversations, leading to lasting changes in their outlook. They plan to use more inclusive language in their copywriting, feature models of diverse racial backgrounds, and represent various socio-economic backgrounds in their photoshoots. Our training also increased their awareness of biases in their hiring practices.
Conclusion
Our work with The Unscented Company had a profound impact, challenging the team to adopt diverse ways of thinking and fostering an open and comfortable environment for JEDI-related conversations. We provided them with a foundation of knowledge to make better-informed decisions for their company and contribute to positive changes in the world.