I was reading this article about Canadian mail order throwback Lee Valley Tools while thinking about a conversation I’d had recently with the owners of my neighborhood ice cream shop. These two stores are, admittedly, in very different places and sell very different things. But they have one thing in common: their founders started with a mission of making something special — but different from anything else out there — that would provide other people with joy.
There’s Romeo, the co-owner of Twice Cream, who leverages his background in nutrition to conspire to make us eat our vegetables in a waffle cone and chose a location in a residential area specifically to foster community. Robin Lee of Lee Valley personally tests and edits the descriptions of the dozens of useful tool invented by his family-owned company every year to its legions of fans.
If we subscribe to the idea that each of us has a unique tapestry of unique creativity and skills that we weave with the threads of our diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, then we can harness that uniqueness to unlock that power of invention. Historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci often come to mind for his array of achievements, but innovation can come from anybody, just about anywhere.
If you happened to catch “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker” on Netflix, the story of the first black, female millionaire, you got an inspiring example of how recognizing one’s unique blend of creativity and skills can lead to groundbreaking inventions. Born as Sarah Breedlove to a poverty-stricken family, she leveraged her own personal experiences and an understanding of her community’s needs to develop a line of hair care products made specifically for black women. Those inventions combined with a shrewd mind for business—knowing her market, sticking with it through adversity that most other inventors of the day never experienced due to their color and gender—resulted in the establishment of a successful business empire despite so many unnecessary obstacles.
This idea of differentiation applies to any company, especially a company whose leaders are currently struggling to recognize their value proposition. Successful entrepreneurs and companies can get out of this rut by stepping outside their office. Whether they’re leaning on their team or making use of an outside consultant, one thing is clear: when they understand the value of their employees and embrace their unique creative talents and skills, they can’t lose. By recognizing and nurturing individuals and their unique strengths, businesses can create a dynamic environment that fosters innovation.
To harness the power of unique creativity and skills, it’s crucial to create an environment that encourages individuality, collaboration, and continuous learning. When employees are empowered to explore their creative potential and leverage their skills, they become catalysts for innovation. By fostering a culture that values diversity and appreciates the distinct contributions of each individual, businesses can tap into the extraordinary inventiveness that makes their business special—and truly different.
Joel Magalnick is Redesigner-in-Chief of North Then West. Reach out to learn more about he can help you differentiate your business.
