Home
One Year of Rise: Growing with Purpose in the Indigenous Business World 

Story shared by Hayley Roulstone

I’m proud to be part of a generation using business as a force for positive change. At Rise Consulting, our mission is to build meaningful relationships grounded in trust and respect, connecting Indigenous communities and corporate partners to create shared value.  Celebrating my first year with Rise, I’ve gained invaluable experience in advising on practical actions that contribute to Truth and Reconciliation. 
 
My journey here began with storytelling – sharing my personal narrative and the passion that drives my commitment to Reconciliation. This personal reflection evolved into a way to educate others about the importance of supporting Indigenous-owned businesses. Like my colleagues at Rise, I’m driven to understand the “how” and “why” of the systems that shape our world. This pursuit of knowledge has been crucial to my immersion in the Indigenous business landscape and my work on refining our B Corp Impact Model. 
 
“What are you doing today, for a better tomorrow?” This question guides both my personal and professional life. It’s a privilege to work for an Indigenous-owned business dedicated to answering it, particularly within the context of Truth and Reconciliation.  As a for-benefit business, Rise prioritizes positive social and environmental impact alongside financial success. 
 
Living our values (Kindness, Trust, Community, Courage, Shared Value, and Knowledge) is paramount.  As Rise’s “B Keeper,” I’m responsible for calculating and communicating our B Impact – both internally and externally.  My background in sustainability has instilled in me the importance of long-term vision.  At Rise, we embrace seven generational thinking with our clients, recognizing that meaningful change takes time and sustained effort. 
 
Our B Corp recertification process is underway, and while we have many ideas for improvement, we understand the value of incremental progress. Since our inception, our Impact Business Model has prioritized giving back through the Rise Impact Program, where we share one-third of our profits with Indigenous organizations and communities. 
 
Today, my focus is on building and nurturing respectful relationships with colleagues and clients, sharing knowledge, and continually unlearning preconceived notions about traditional business practices.  I’m keen to continue contributing to our collective success, and with the amazing organizations we share profit with.