DEI and its place in our Self Storage Hawai'i unConference

DEI ( Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

Imagine a delicious plate loaded with Hawaiian food. You've got fluffy white rice as a base, savory kalua pig for some protein (or tofu for the vegetarians), and maybe some refreshing pineapple chunks for a sweet twist. Then there's the mac salad, creamy and tangy, adding a whole new dimension.

Each element brings its own unique flavor and texture, complementing each other to create a truly satisfying meal.

That's the power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at work.

Just like a Hawaiian plate, a team that embraces DEI benefits from a variety of perspectives and experiences, leading to:

Well-rounded experience: The fluffy white rice is essential, but it gets boring on its own. Kalua pig or braised tofu adds a savory element, while pineapple brings sweetness. Similarly, a diverse team offers a range of perspectives to create a well-rounded approach to problems.
Unexpected harmony: Mac salad might seem like an odd choice on a Hawaiian plate, but it brings a creamy contrast that ties everything together. In a DEI team, different backgrounds and ideas can come together to create surprising solutions that are greater than the sum of their parts.
Strength in variety: Hawaiian cuisine is all about incorporating influences from different cultures. There can easily be 5 or 6 cultures represented on one simple lunch plate. Likewise, a team that values equity and inclusion benefits from a strong foundation where everyone feels valued. This allows people from various backgrounds to contribute their strengths, creating a stronger overall team.
Catering to all tastes: A Hawaiian plate offers something for everyone – meat lovers can enjoy the kalua pig, while those who prefer lighter flavors can focus on the pineapple. A DEI team can better understand the needs of a diverse audience, leading to more successful outcomes for everyone.

In contrast, a team lacking DEI is like a plate with just plain white rice. It might fill you up, but it's a boring and uninspired meal. By embracing DEI, you create a team that's not only successful but also innovative and enjoyable to work with – just like a delicious and satisfying plate of Hawaiian food.

The challenge with DEI in our industries

If our interest groups were something like: people who enjoy wine or people who enjoy cooking at home, it would be a lot easier to cultivate a DEI way of being. We encourage DEI. We practice it where we can and work towards its goals.

Our interest groups are mostly self-storage, the start-up world, venture capital, commercial real estate, and financing, These are not diverse crowds. For instance, our advisors and mentors for the pitch contest in 2024 are all men of European heritage living in the USA. That is not on purpose. That is because all the people our producer, Tron Jordheim is acquainted with who are well qualified to be a mentor or advisor and where available to participate are men of European heritage living in the USA. They are wonderful people who promote DEI and are very skilled and experienced at what they do. They are open and generous and willing to spend time helping us and helping our pitch applicants. This is how it is.

If you are reading this, you either care about DEI or hate the concept. If you hate the concept, you may want to think about why and reconsider. If you care about DEI, maybe you can help us bring in a wider group of people.

DEI in practice at the Self-Storage Hawai'i unConference

We bring people together from all over the world from different backgrounds to experience the wonderful mix of cultures and traditions and cuisines in the state of Hawai'i.

We strive to feature aspects of Hawai'ian culture at each event. It might be featuring a story-teller or musician, or it might be featuring initiatives to restore Hawai'ian language and land rights.

We seek to bring together people from many backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our wonderful group. Join us.