Brazilian Diversity and Inclusion Expert to Present at First Friday

 

As President of Schabel Solutions, Brazil native Claudia Schabel brings 15 years of experience as a diversity and inclusion practitioner with Fortune 100 and 500 companies. Schabel helps businesses and organizations create a culture of inclusion so they can leverage and engage their employees, which in turn can improve productivity and the bottom line.

Claudia is also a commissioner on the City of Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission and serves on the Society for Human Resource Management State Council as the Director of Diversity.

Transition from the Corporate Business World

As part of the First Fridays event series, Claudia shares her professional transition from corporate America. She says three things have helped her maximize what she knows and continuing to learn: Continue to find inspiration through books, news stories and research. By keeping up with what is going on, you can put that in perspective to clients. Business development. Executing the work, delivering what was promised and working through issues.

Lessons Learned

To scale the business, you need help. You need to put money where your mouth is. Another thing Claudia did was put any money made back into the business through hiring. She has hired an intern and utilized virtual assistants such as a web developer and marketing strategist.

Virtual Assistants

Agencies have contractors that work for them in project management or graphic design.

Value of Organizations

Spend money to make money. Claudia talks about her first year being a free fall. She tried everything without really measuring to see if there was a return on investment. After that she decided to scale back on the number of organizations she took part in, including the National Association of Women Business Owners and Rotary Club.

Hear the stories of other small business and startup business owners in the community in The Partnership’s Small Business Resources Hub or sign up for the Small Business Resources newsletter to stay connected for information about upcoming events, other resources and the latest announcements in the small business community in Greater Des Moines (DSM).