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What We Believe
A letter from WholeCo Founder,
Carly Jo Bell —
As a business owner with a growing brand in today’s society, I have a responsibility to 1) be clear about what my beliefs are, so that people like you can make informed investing decisions, and 2) uphold and actively implement the beliefs that I feel—I might even say, know—will make this world a more kind, loving, safe, and brave space for all of its’ inhabitants. And especially those beliefs that make this world more of all of those things for humans who are not white, cisgendered, heterosexual, able bodied, from a relatively stable family of origin, financially privileged, and neurotypical—some of which I, personally, am.
I’ve shared what those beliefs are below, so I invite you to read through them if you are curious. AND my promise to you is that when I am called in for having done something harmful, I will acknowledge it and take action to rectify it. I am doing the unlearning and learning work that I am doing, in part, so that when I do mess up, I will have the capacity to be able to recognize and rectify it while limiting ongoing harm in the process.
Additionally, as the leader of WholeCo, I also take responsibility for any harm caused—unintentionally or not—by my team, and I am prepared (and continually preparing) to be able to recognize and rectify that harm as well.
I appreciate you being here and reading this, and I look forward to getting to continue living these values and beliefs out—publicly, messily, and with the ongoing commitment to keep learning and unlearning so that I can lead well (and also simply be even more of the human being that I desire to be).
With love, Carly — she/they
The beliefs that guide us.
And not only do they matter, but because of consistent systemic and historical marginalization of Black & Indigenous people (particularly here in the US), Black, Indigenous, and People of Color need to be treated equitably—which sometimes means receiving things that their white counterparts do not.
As a white person myself, I recognize that living this belief out requires me to actively engage with both unlearning my own internalized biases and relearning a new way of living and relating. I am committed to this as a lifelong, ongoing journey.
I also admit that there are still plenty of moments where I feel anxious about "getting it wrong." That's why I'm also proactively doing work to increase my capacity for getting it wrong, and also for making things right when that inevitably occurs.
All people should be able to love and marry and spend their time with any other people of any gender identity—of course, so long as that relationship is consensual and, where applicable, between adults.
I've come to learn over the years that many of the things society accepts as "this or that" were created out of a desire for control and domination, the "male or female" understanding of gender included.
With that, I believe that the strict binary approach to gender is often (if not always) deeply harmful for everyone, in addition to not being at all connected to physiology as claimed.
While I am still working through my understanding of gender, I currently work to express this belief through actions such as: not assuming gender, using correct pronouns or non-gendered (they/them) pronouns when I have not yet learned someone's pronouns, and using chosen names. I also am working to more consistently state my pronouns (she/they) when meeting and/or communicating with new people.
That means, among other things, that I am pro-choice; I believe all humans should have access to gender-affirming care; and informed consent is absolutely necessary for anything related to their own body.
Whether someone is neurodivergent or disabled in any way, equitable accommodations and additional support need to be made available in every area of life.
In practice here at WholeCo, we currently work to implement accessibility measures such as being WCAG compliant, offering written transcripts and closed captions for any video or audio material, providing extended access timelines (e.g. no 24 hour bonuses), and more.
Additionally, as a late-diagnosed autistic human, I admit that I have internalized shame around asking for and/or needing accommodation. This is something I'm actively working on in therapy, both for my own self, and for the fact that I recognize this internalized shame can and does affect my interactions with others.
That includes having rights to a basic living wage, healthcare, clean water and food, and various social supports—all of which contribute to thriving even being possible.
These statements are the most accurate representation of my current beliefs, and of the beliefs that I am continually working to instill within WholeCo as a brand and company. Thank you for reading.
If you feel that I or a member of my team or community have not held up one or any of these values, please let us know in the form below. Your message will land directly in my (Carly’s) inbox, and if you leave your email address, I will reply within 3 business days (M-Th, excepting US public holidays).
The above form is confidential and you have the option to remain anonymous.
p.s. Looking to do your own inner work around all of these things? I highly recommend reaching out to Makeda Pennycooke, who has been so deeply integral to my anti-racism, and frankly entire anti-oppressive, journey—especially when it comes to beginning to embody rather than simply know these beliefs.