YDH Consulting

You might often reflect on some of the most important, and moving, conversations in your life so far. Your memory probably takes you back to a specific time and place where these conversations were held, and the emotions they evoked. For Yolanda Hamilton, some of them took place in laundromats, where she met and connected with diverse individuals who would become an inspiration and driving force behind the work she so strongly delivers today.

This month, we’re spotlighting YDH Consulting, a business located in the Dealership (3558 Lee Road) in the Chagrin-Lee district. YDH Consulting focuses on providing guidance for businesses and individuals alike when it comes to putting action toward diversity, equity, and inclusion. Generally, people tend to look at DEI as a training on systemic racism, but it’s much more than this initial thought as it prioritizes DEI and its trainings and development into business models.

“For small business owners, I think people don’t recognize that they can reach a much larger and diverse audience by integrating DEI practices into their business models. This increases revenue and therefore assists in business growth,” emphasizes Yolanda. YDH Consulting offers this kind of education, including equity audits for business policies. The mission behind the work is to change systems already in place by changing behavior, leading to a focus on organizational development and culture change.

YDH Consulting supports DEI initiatives by examining the mission of a business. This might mean consulting a business to be more intentional with their marketing efforts. It also might offer a strategy to reduce barriers in the workplace, to advance equity. “We all have different lenses through which we approach our work. For me, it’s guidance and insight into business models,” Yolanda expresses. Indeed, guidance on business models, or a focus on them, might help to stimulate growth otherwise stalled.

YDH also concentrates on relevant training within the workplace. Their mission is to help businesses create a brave space for difficult conversations, maintaining freedom of speech. This includes revisiting policies, having guidance when it comes to issuing statements, being less performative and, in turn, more responsive so as to create long-term, sustainable impact.

One of our favorite questions to ask businesses is why? Why do you do what you do? Behind this open-ended question is typically a story original to this business. And it is always, always inspiring. When Yolanda informed us about these two instances of conversations in laundromats with diverse groups of people in a random location, likely being one of the driving forces behind her current work, she also said her previous roles were, too.  “Every job since college involved me being the first kind of person in that role. I found success in building the framework. I decided to go into business for myself,” says Yolanda.

Having experienced microaggressions, coming into this kind of work was something she was more than familiar with. She also has a passion for culture and understanding. Coming from a single-parent home, having a close relationship with her grandparents who provided cultural education for her, and studying abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico, established a strong foundation for YDH Consulting and why it exists.

Yolanda considers her work a privilege and an opportunity to help advance equity and bring justice through the workplace. She feels rewarded in that she can wake up everyday and do something that doesn’t necessarily feel like work. In turn, this gives her autonomy, which is important as a business owner and a mom. She also loves the Dealership space: “I have access to resources, including what led me to receiving the STIMulus grant, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I love the location.” A large portion of her time is spent as an entrepreneur, occasionally visiting her clients on site.

When your work is so much of your passion, it’s easier to become overextended. As Yolanda expresses, some of the challenges as a small business owner is walking away from certain projects because of limited capacity: “You are your brand, and you might overextend yourself because you want to show you always have a positive outlook. I really try to make sure my delivery is excellent since most of my business is from referrals.”

We asked Yolanda what her advice might be to someone wanting to start their own small business, especially since her industry is so distinctive. She advised that researching, reading, and talking to people within the field is very important, as is polishing one’s skills. Beyond this, she says, “Make a plan to formulate your business and know that there is wisdom in a multitude of advisors. Take an act of faith and put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to fail. Promote your brand and be proactive; enjoy the journey.”

Visit ydhconsulting.com to learn more about the business. You can also email Yolanda and schedule a time to connect. Her stories are beautiful, her work is necessary, and we are so fortunate to have her in Shaker.