State of Culture Work 2025
Notes of Appreciation and Hope
This blog post marks a departure from my usual content, but last month marks two years since I launched my business, Culture Work.
In light of this, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on my first two years as a business owner: what I’m grateful for, what I’ve learned, and what’s next.
I have a lot to be grateful for.
To everyone who’s been a part of this journey so far: clients, friends, cheerleaders and subscribers: THANK YOU! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I wouldn’t be here without you.
Since launching this blog in early 2024, readership has steadily grown. Writing has always been an outlet for me and I’ve enjoyed creating these blog posts as a way to share resources and invite new ways of thinking. It’s also been a way to continue my own learning and reflection around topics that come up in my work. The fact that other people find value in it is affirming.
Since launching my business, I’ve had the opportunity to partner with clients that do important work in their communities and fields. From language access to racial justice to behavioral health to library services, I am grateful for collaborations with people and organizations doing such meaningful work.
As I recently updated my website with new client testimonials, I reflected on these as tangible reminders of the partnerships that have allowed Culture Work to grow since its launch. I look forward to building on these foundations moving forward.
I didn’t get here by myself.
Shortly after I left full-time work, a friend asked me if it felt isolating to be self-employed. I can now reflect on the connections I’ve made and nurtured over the past two years. It hasn’t felt isolating and in fact I’m grateful for opportunities I’ve had to build new relationships and strengthen old ones since this professional transition.
In addition to my collaborative work with clients, I’ve been a founding member of an informal, emerging network of women entrepreneurs called SOLA (Solopreneurs of Louisiana). This supportive community has helped me learn the ins and outs of business ownership and allowed me to begin paying it forward.
I’ve formed relationships with people across the country thanks to networks like The Nonprofit Hive and Consultants for Libraries. I’ve had countless coffee dates, Zoom calls, and lunches with interesting people doing cool, inspiring work.
I’ve also been featured on the podcast Learning for Good, written for The Nonprofit Hive blog, and was recently profiled by Bold Journey Magazine. And along the way, friends and loved ones have provided everything from moral support to technical support.
This experience hasn’t been without its challenges, but I’ve learned a lot.
Entrepreneurship can be liberating, but it can also come with a lot of uncertainty.
My first year of business ownership came with the uncertainty of being new to the whole thing and wondering if my venture would be “successful.” My second year in business saw both greater growth and new threats of external instability and uncertainty.
Since the beginning, I’ve been learning as I go, navigating busy and lean times. I’ve embraced opportunities to learn from other business owners and experts in areas where I’m not so strong (*ahem* marketing). I’ve welcomed new opportunities when the overarching narrative was one of doom and gloom and reminded myself that many forms of employment come with a level of uncertainty.
I have to admit, I’m proud of how I’ve approached the challenges that come from founding and running a business: learning from mistakes, staying open to opportunities, and getting creative. I’ve learned a lot, including that I’m more driven and resourceful than I probably gave myself credit for two years ago.
Looking Ahead
Workplace culture is a broad topic and I’ve spent the past couple of years honing in on the ways I’m best equipped to support organizations. After some reflection this Spring, I’ve streamlined my offerings to impact clients in four key areas:
Strengthening internal communications
Managing workplace conflict
Increasing well-being at work
Developing culture and operations
And I’ll be honest: when I first launched Culture Work, my goal was to make a living doing work that aligned with my skills, interest, and purpose. What I didn’t expect was how people would connect with my work and see it as a source of hope.
Along the way, I’ve done a Zoom call with a woman in India who found hope in my work after her own traumatic workplace experiences. I’ve had clients tell me that working with me makes them feel more hopeful. I’ve had strangers reach out to tell me how my writing matters to them.
As a person who has frequently struggled to keep hope, maybe that’s ironic. Or maybe those of us who struggle with hope are likelier to try to be a source of hope for others. (Or maybe it’s both.)
I do genuinely believe we all have power and opportunity to be more a source of hope than a dasher of hopes—in W.H. Auden’s words, to be “ironic points of light.”
To all those taking hopeful actions in your workplaces, families and communities—even when struggling to feel hopeful—I see you.
Thanks for taking the time and for being here.
As Culture Work enters year three, here are some opportunities to connect or provide support (if you’re so inclined):
Check out my website: I’ve recently updated the site, including the addition of new client testimonials. Take a look to learn more in case any referral opportunities come up.
Connect on social media…unless you’re not on social media, which I fully support! I’m active on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Make an introduction: I’m always open to connecting and tend to work with small to mid-sized organizations in any sector. Many of my services can be provided remotely. Know someone I should chat with? Let me know.
Schedule a call: Has it been a while since we’ve caught up? Have you been thinking about my work but needed a sign to reach out? Let’s connect and catch up!
I’ll be doing a brief LinkedIn Live with Jami Yazdani of Yazdani Consulting and Facilitation tomorrow, June 18th at 1pm ET/Noon CT to talk about Avoiding Burnout in project management and leadership. Join if you can!
For those who are newer to this publication, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Rebecca and I’m the founder and lead consultant of Culture Work LLC, where I partner with leaders to improve communication, collaboration, engagement, and well-being across their organizations.
My professional background spans public education, policy, health, and nonprofit leadership, and I bring depth, nuance, and humor to my work as a trainer, facilitator, and culture strategist.
I live in South Louisiana with my partner of ten years, Ray, and our two cats, Luci and Cairo—plus a foster bunny, Mazzy. When I’m not working, herding animals, or spending time with friends and family, I enjoy traveling, gardening, and collage-making. I’ve also been known to dabble in electronic music and am pretty decent at karaoke. This summer, you can find me fretting about the state of the world and spending as much time in pools as possible. Though, let’s be real: that’s me every summer.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of culture-reflection and culture-building.