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

Hi Trisha, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
In 2019, I had been a full-time employee with the federal government for about 5 years and I was miserable. The job itself was fine, but every time there was a conflict at work, I felt alone in the trenches and completely abandoned by my managers. It was always my understanding that the Human Resources Department at any organization was there to help the employees and in my experience, that wasn’t the case. Because of toxic workplace dynamics and internal politics, HR very much felt like the adversary, always siding with managers and failing to see the big picture. I started fantasizing about not only being saved from the abyss I was in, but HOW I wished I could be saved – and that was when WORKHERO was born. I envisioned a company designed to save employees from whatever their workplace trench was.

After I came up with the idea and started drafting a business plan, I met up with Jasmine Mencias, a good friend of mine who I met while I was an undergrad at USC. At the time, she was pursuing a Master’s degree in HR management at USC. I told her about WORKHERO, and she said, “It sounds like a great idea, but you’re missing a key component. What about the C-Suite and Organizational Change? You need the C-Suite and HR to buy into the company first.” I had no idea what she was talking about! After several meetings and brainstorming sessions, I realized I had a co-founder, and WORKHERO became the powerhouse that it is now.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
WORKHERO is the first company to bridge the gap between HR and employees by tackling three universal workplace trenches: mental health, organizational redesign, and workplace violence. We believe that it doesn’t matter who you are in an organization, everyone has a workplace trench. We’re passionate about helping people out of their personal trenches because everyone deserves to be happy and to enjoy where they work. We want to see workplace cultures match their organization’s success.

WORKHERO conducts assessments and determines which trenches companies are in. Then we deploy our customizable programs and organizational redesign strategy to “renovate” companies and equip them and their employees with the tools they need to stay out of the trenches. Whether it’s our Professional Health and Wellness programs, DEIB action series, Workplace Violence Assessments or Individual and Confidential Workplace Counseling, WORKHERO doesn’t just type up a report and send companies on their way. We provide ongoing and innovative support because we believe that is the only way to effect lasting organizational change.

I’m proud of the way that we married up our diverse academic and professional backgrounds to create this company. Jasmine brings the HR expertise to organizational redesign and can speak the language of the HR and C-suite. She’s so well educated on all things HR and I rely on her to teach me what I don’t know.

January brings the branding expertise as a former director of franchise sales for big brands like Yum and Nothing Bundt Cakes. She provides a special lens through which we view WORKHERO and the it’s ability to connect with everyone from frontline employees to the C-suite.

I am a former FBI analyst and threat assessor – which is why WORKHERO has a workplace violence trench. I also have a background in mental health as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist – which is why WORKHERO has a mental health trench. I’m very passionate about workplace mental health.

Building this company has not been easy. We’ve encountered plenty of challenges as black women entering the consulting space, but I’m proud of the way we’ve handled the unique stressors. One major thing we’ve learned along this journey is how important it is to be agile and able to pivot. The business world is constantly changing and what’s relevant today, may not be tomorrow. We’ve been able to successfully pivot and ensure our relevancy and effectiveness. We always deliver excellence, no matter the size of the company.

We want the world to know that regardless of where someone sits on their company org chart, they have the right to be heard and the right to an inclusive and equitable workplace. There’s a trench at every level of employment, but no one has to suffer alone – this is why WORKHERO was created. Organizations have to understand that much like their customers, satisfied employees increase their bottom line and workplace wellness is worth the investment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, she’d definitely want to enjoy some good food. We’d enjoy a few meals at my favorite spots: Oops Sushi and Sake Bar, Phillips BBQ, Bay Cities Italian Deli, Zinque in Century and Frankie’s on Melrose. For a good daytime hangout, we’d definitely visit the Grove and Farmers Market on 3rd St.

For a chill night, we’d visit “Employees Only” for some drinks, and then catch a movie. If we wanted to go out and dance (which I love), we’d definitely hit up Paper Tiger in K-Town or the Continental Club.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
January Swiderski is WORKHERO’s Chief Branding Officer and fellow USC Trojan. Part of being a successful entrepreneur and CEO is understanding that you can’t know everything about everything. When I started WORKHERO, I had no clue about branding… I only had ideas. Jasmine brought January into the WORKHERO mix in 2020 and she instantly brought WORKHERO to life with her creative genius.

Dr. Glen March is my mentor and the first person to invest in WORKHERO. He believed in me and this company from the start. He’s also a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist and having him as a resource and being able to learn from him has been invaluable.

Krishnan Pablo is Jasmine’s husband and also an entrepreneur and owner of Premier Educational Staffing. He led me straight to my co-founder. Back in 2020, I called him one day to ask him some questions about business insurance. I told him a bit about WORKHERO and he reminded me that Jasmine was studying HR management at USC. He said, “Uh…don’t you know Jasmine is pursuing her Masters in HR management? You should be talking to her.” The rest is history.

Dwayne Cross Jr. is my husband. I’ve wanted to quit WORKHERO more times than I count, especially when my Mom died in 2020, but he has always believed in this company, and our C-Suite. He never let me walk away from it!

Website: www.work-hero.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero_/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/workhero-inc-02b48a1b1/

Image Credits
Sheryl Sims of Shurlgurl Productions

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