vALuES

From the beginning, Erika Tebbens Consulting LLC has operated with the mission of supporting changemakers—to help them have a greater impact with their important work. I strongly believe that lasting change can only happen when we’re in integrity with ourselves and others, which is the primary reason I’ve always been transparent about who I am, especially as a queer, woman-owned company.

I also clearly state my beliefs and values not for a pat on the back, but because it’s important to me that anyone considering working with me knows what I stand for. This ensures you can make an informed decision about where you’re spending your money. Beyond monetary investment, since I do a lot of collaborative partnerships, it makes it easy to see if our values are aligned before co-creating anything together.

We Believe:

Black Lives Matter, no human is illegal on stolen ground, Trans rights are human rights, science is real, because white supremacy exists we must be actively anti-racist & antisemitic in our lives/businesses, and we must use the privileges we hold to create a more just and equitable future for everyone.

We donate 3% of revenue (minimum) to causes and organizations that reflect our company values. We also care about making our resources accessible to those who are neurodiverse or differently abled. If you need accommodations, please let us know. We always welcome feedback so that we can continually serve others better.

Our Values:

Integrity- This is at the forefront of everything I do and every choice I make. It informs how I approach sales & marketing for myself and my clients. What you see is what you get with me. That’s my promise.

Community- As much as I believe in the importance of creating our own personal destinies, I also recognize that we are part of a larger collective society as humans. I believe that solely focusing on individual gains is harmful and has created the world we are living in today. We belong to each other and as such, I aim to be mindful of the communities I create. I do not wish to create a space that causes harm; I’d rather create spaces where people can flourish. This value also informs how my money is spent, and where I focus my activism efforts.

Agency- Part of why I’m so passionate about entrepreneurship is because it can give people agency over how they use their talents for a greater purpose. I believe we can use the vehicle of small business to earn a thriving wage in alignment with our values, and as a mechanism to fund better life choices and philanthropic giving. I use clear, consent-based language in my marketing to honor other people’s agency in deciding if I’m the best fit to invest in as well.

Regeneration- To regenerate means to form again. I see it as the opposite of extraction, especially the extraction of resources & labor that is so common in capitalism. To be mindful of regeneration means being mindful of the resources used to produce an outcome. It’s vital to me that the energy/efforts myself and my team use to achieve objectives and outcomes in the business are fairly compensated and respected. As such, when working with my clients I make sure the advice I’m giving also allows them to have a regenerative business. We are breaking harmful norms with our businesses, and that starts with not replicating systems of harm on ourselves or teams.

Adventure- Lastly, I love to have fun and explore. I love to be curious and playful. I crave rich experiences more than things. I believe running a business is always an interesting adventure. I also believe the same can be said about being a human in the world. My aim is to use the adventure of my life to leave the world, and others, better than I found them.

-ErIKa