.png)
REPRESENTED with Annie Gichuru
Welcome to REPRESENTED, the podcast.
This is your weekly dose of inspiration that’ll support you to build a racially inclusive online business without letting the fear of getting it wrong get in the way. These episodes will provide insights, strategies, and discussions that break down barriers and empower you to navigate the racial equity landscape.
I’m Annie Gichuru, your host as well as a Racial Equity Coach who supports online business owners such as coaches, course creators, membership owners and group program facilitators. It’s my calling in nature and ability to break-down complex and often uncomfortable conversations around race that has seen me teach over 100 online business owners to be more racially inclusive through my online program REPRESENTED.
Be sure to subscribe, rate and review so this podcast can reach more online business owners and begin to not only normalise racial inclusion in the online coaching space but see us actively shift our perspectives.
REPRESENTED with Annie Gichuru
55. Marketing That Makes People Feel Seen Featuring Sonia Thompson
Does your business genuinely make people feel like they belong? Or are you unintentionally sending a message that certain people don’t?
In this episode, I sit down with Sonia Thompson, an inclusive marketing strategist, Forbes contributor, and someone whose work has deeply influenced how I think about representation. Sonia’s approach to marketing isn’t about tokenism, it’s about creating spaces where people don’t just see themselves, but feel like they belong.
We have an in depth conversation concerning the state of representation in marketing in 2025, what’s changed, what’s still missing, and how businesses can do better. Sonia shares insights from her latest research, revealing the most important types of representation for today’s consumers, from gender to age to body type. We explore how demographics like race, ethnicity and income influence purchasing decisions, and why businesses that invest in real representation, not just surface-level diversity build stronger, more loyal customer bases.
We go on to talk about:
🎙 Why inclusive marketing isn’t just the future, it’s good marketing
🎙 The biggest myth about inclusion that keeps business owners stuck
🎙 How to intentionally decide who you want to feel seen in your business
🎙 The connection between representation, belonging, and customer loyalty
🎙 Why performative diversity efforts backfire and what to do instead
This is a must-listen for business owners, coaches, and anyone who wants to build a truly inclusive brand. Hit play and take notes. This one’s a masterclass.
LINKS:
Sonia Thompson
Website
LinkedIn
Free AI Bias Guide
I'd love to invite you to dive deeper into racial inclusion work by joining me for the next round of my 10 week online program REPRESENTED. Check out all the details and join the waitlist 👉🏾 https://anniegichuru.com/represented
Come say hi on Instagram, let me know where you are tuning in from. I'd love to hear from you 👉🏾 https://www.instagram.com/annie.gichuru
.png)