Meet Dhalia Balmir | Disrupter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dhalia Balmir and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dhalia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
If you had engaged with me prior to 2018, the idea of me as an entrepreneur was not at the top of my mind. I surprised myself when thoughts of me starting my own business crossed my mind. And then I thought, can I pull this off? And of course, the answer became “hell, yes!” I’ve worked for. companies my entire working life and the idea of owning a business and working for myself was such an exotic thought, however I consider myself a disrupter in so many ways, and so I began to think more about how can I disrupt what I’m simply comfortable with and step outside of my comfort zone and grow in a different way. As a Black woman having worked in corporate America, and other company settings, there are so many challenges that impact you systemically and there’s never this sense of fully being valued for what you bring to the table. It’s exhausting, really.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Balmir Inclusive, an equity-informed consulting business specializing in strategy, inclusive leadership coaching and deeper level racial equity dialogue. Dhalia is also the co-creator of Connected Conversations with our Youth, a virtual social justice camp, and host of the professional book discussion series, “Get Uncomfortable…Together”.

A major lesson for me is to get out of my own way and walk through the fear. When I embarked on this new journey of working for myself, I had to tap into the Dhalia that had sold her house in Detroit, Michigan in 2005, and moved her then 7 1/2 month old son, Oren, and 9 1/2 year old daughter, Soleil, and started a new life in San Diego, CA. That was the risk taker that I had to tap into to make this happen. I come from a family of pioneers who came to the U.S. from Haiti in the 1970s and started a new life so I knew that I could do.it. I just needed to believe that I could.

My brand is about looking within. Whether it is in individual leadership development or organizations looking to build a more inclusive and equitable work environment, we must look within and have the difficult conversations. And, not be stuck in maintaining the status quo which too often contributes to a dominant culture mindset of frigidity.

Connection and advocacy drives much of the work that I engage in. At the center of it all is my ability to engage in deeper dialogue and challenge others (and myself!) to continue explorative self-work, and articulate equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice messages.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Sunset Cliffs during the day – bring chairs and sit off the cliff watching the waves and chatting

Inviting all my SD friends for a gathering at my place with food and drinks

Torrey Pines – the Beach Trail

Coronado – renting bicycles and riding through the neighborhood

Cabrillo Monument and the Lighthouse

Favorite eats:
Parkhouse Eatery
Olleh Korean BBQ in the Convoy area
Sushiyana in my neighborhood
Pitchers bar in my neighborhood

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My son, Oren. He is a reminder to me of possibilities and wonderful things that happen in places that you least suspect. My nickname for him is “Buddha” as he has enlightened me!

Website: www.balmirinclusive.com