In episode four of the latest series of our Sisterhood Works podcast, we spoke with co-CEO of Belu Water, Natalie Campbell, on placing diversity and inclusion at the heart of business, challenging unconscious biases and using her position to implement real change, as all leaders should.

Social entrepreneur and co-CEO of Belu water, Natalie Campbell, joined us to share her invaluable insights, gained over her incredible entrepreneurial journey. We spoke to Natalie during the first weeks of 2020’s Black Lives Matter movement, where she importantly highlighted her vision for how companies should act in light of it, and the much-needed change she hopes to spark. Here’s just some of what we learned from Natalie.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

1. In Order To Do Good, You Have To Feel Good First

Natalie believes that achieving great things starts from within. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, she told us how she asked herself, “How do I, as a new CEO, maintain my own sanity through this, and do the thing that I do best, which is act?”

Natalie wanted to explore how she could be the change she wanted to see for the Black community, while also looking after herself, too. “The world is going through a shift and a change, so how do I get people to understand how they become allies?" she asked during the podcast. "I want drive change, but I also want to look after me,” she added.

2. Find Ways To Cope With Entrepreneurialism

Natalie herself is a natural leader, noting that she first knew it was the path for her at the young age of 15. Having taken on her first entrepreneurial venture at just 21, how does she do it? “I’m lucky and privileged enough to have learnt on my leadership journey that I had to find ways to cope with the pace of being an entrepreneur,” she told us.

We are huge advocates for championing the power of the sisterhood, and helping our community connect with industry experts and like-minded business women to help supercharge their careers is at the core of everything we do. This is something Natalie took hold of early on in her journey, telling us, “I invested in therapy, coaches, fellowships and having a really strong network of women, that allowed me to take the mask off and just be myself, decompress and be vulnerable.

“I realised when wanting to be a CEO so early on, that my difference was my superpower. If you didn’t invite me to sit at the table, I could stand on the damn table,” she added.

3. Prioritise The Power Of Listening

There’s never been a more poignant moment for businesses to take stock and listen - listen to their employees, their communities and, importantly, listen to a diverse range of voices.

Natalie shared with us how important it is to listen first and evaluate, then act, particularly in regards to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. “The first thing employers need to do is listen," she said. "Don’t feel like you need to rush to the front line, because the reality is, you’re going to get it wrong. It’s highly likely that if you’re running an organisation and your board and executive team are predominantly white, you didn’t realise you were part of the problem.”

So what approach should businesses take? “Have conversations, listen and explore,” Natalie advised. “There are people that work in the diversity and inclusion space that can help you build something that’s meaningful.”

4. Recognise That First-Hand Experience Is Invaluable

Natalie noted that if businesses – or individuals - are seeking real change, then those best equipped to lead, are those that have a story to tell. “The best tool and resource is a person with lived-in experience," she told us. "Find a way to have a conversation that isn’t ‘teach me please’ but ‘let’s chat’.”

Natalie also gave us insight into how organisations need to look at their top table, rather than starting with diverse internship programmes, highlighting how “doing these things helps everyone in your organisation, not just Black people, or people with a disability. The vision and values of your business should reflect what you want to put out into the world. If they don’t’ – then you’re already starting in the wrong place,” she added.

5. Stay Focused On Your Journey

Like life itself, Natalie praises the importance of focusing on your own unique entrepreneurial journey, and achieving your goals, no matter what.

“We know from research that Black women are starting – and growing – businesses, but barriers in the system mean that we have to jump through more hurdles and hoops, working twice as hard to get the same end result, which burns us out,” she said.

“I have 20 jobs – and that’s just to get here now. If I was a white man, I’d be in a completely different place. I acknowledge it’s what I’ve got to do to get to where I want to go - to create change for everyone else that’s coming up. I don’t have time for all of the niceties anymore, and I’m unequivocal about what I want.”

6. Challenge Your Biases

When it comes to creating a workplace that reflects the real world, Natalie understands that the first step is to acknowledge what you think the real world looks like. “For me, as a Black woman, the role I now have to play is to tell others that ‘there are lots of things you thought you knew – put all of that to the side, because I’m going to show you who I am and what I can do’.”

On challenging stereotypes, Natalie told us she's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. “I’ve been to events held by people I know, and have asked them 'why am I the only Black person here? And in fact- there aren’t many women here either?'" she told us.

7. Turn To Your Sisterhood

Sisterhood is at the heart of what we do, and we recognise that every inspirational female leader has a group of go-to women in her corner. Natalie is no different, celebrating her sisters as a core part of her support system, and success.

“I spend lots of my holiday time with my girlfriends - they’re a huge, important part of my life," she told us. "They are all leaders in their own worlds and space, so they get when I want to switch off, or when I want to have that conversation about business.”

As well as this – and as a member of our community from early on – Natalie champions the importance of her wider network, too. On the AllBright ethos, she shared that, “it’s a place to come together and have some chilled time in a beautiful space.

"From the online connections to the ability to pitch, and get yourself ready for investment - AllBright has created a solution for women.”