Meet the entrepreneurs of 26 Letters: Josh Thelemann and Caroline Karanja. These two Pollenites are behind one of the 14 values-driven businesses that have come together in support of Pollen’s mission to invest in human connection. Together, they challenge Pollenites to raise $15,000 by Give to the Max Day on November 16, which they will match dollar for dollar. Match he hive and donate today.
Photo by Bobby Rogers
26 Letters is a software solution company that produces insights and analytics which help employers attract, retain and grow top talent by fostering engaged and inclusive cultures. The data generated by 26 Letters enables their clients to outline, address, and measure success in areas that can at times be tough to quantify. 26 Letters is focused on improving employee diversity, engagement, and inclusion in organizations.
How long have you been running your business? When did you know you wanted to become an entrepreneur?
26 letters has been in operation since late 2015.
Caroline Karanja: 26 Letters was my first exposure to entrepreneurship. I saw challenges in the workplace and felt passionately about addressing them.
Rather than talking about it, I wanted to take action and empower others to do the same.
Entrepreneurship allowed me to do that.
Josh Thelemann: For me it was in college when I started my first nonprofit. Studying elementary education I saw a few areas where I thought I could really create an impact in the lives of the students I wanted to teach, beyond the classroom.
What responsibilities do you feel as a business leader in your community and why?
We believe our responsibility to our community is both an individual and organizational responsibility. People are ultimately why 26 Letters was created. Employees should feel comfortable, safe, and productive at work but not everyone gets that experience. The average full-time U.S. worker will spend over 2,300 hours at work this year—if their basic social and emotional needs are neglected, what type of physical and mental toll does that take on them? On their family? On the community? Organizationally, as we continue to deliver on our promise of creating more inclusive and engaging workforces, organizations benefit monetarily through an increase in revenue such as increased productivity and retention of top talent while seeing a decrease in expenses through turnover, litigation, loss of engagement, and productivity. These companies also see a benefit culturally as they are able to build and foster cultures and values that make them a place where people of all walks of life can thrive while truly being themselves.
Do you have a favorite mantra or quote to keep you going and inspired?
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford
Join Josh and Caroline:
DONATE TO MATCH THE HIVE TODAY.
Find 26 Letters and give them an online hug for supporting Pollen.
t: @26LettersCo
w: 26letters.co