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On these irritating days that each small enterprise experiences, “standing for one thing” is what will get Holly Singer, 33, proprietor of Milk Jar Candle Co., away from bed each morning.
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What the six-year-old firm stands for isn’t just stunning, clean-burning, regionally made candles (50,000 of them final 12 months), however a enterprise that employs 22 folks – one-third of whom have mental or bodily disabilities – and has donated practically $90,000 final 12 months (greater than $200,000 in 5 years) to charities supporting folks with disabilities.
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“I’m so pleased with our workforce. We employed individuals who cared about individuals who, no matter their function, participated within the manufacturing, labored laborious to provide prospects what they needed, whereas supporting one another.”
Singer’s first interplay with disabilities got here along with her College of Calgary kinesiology diploma, and 7 years of swim remedy working with a younger man with cerebral palsy.
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“I noticed his anxiousness a few job and college and the way laborious it was on his mom. Everybody needs to really feel they’ll present for themselves.”
Singer initially meant to turn out to be an occupational therapist, however went to nursing faculty as an alternative.
One month later, she bought all 260 of her pure, kitchen-made candles at a market.
“I constructed an internet site for Milk Jar in historical past class, after which began doing enterprise inquiries about wholesale purchases.”
Suspending nursing faculty, Singer constructed Milk Jar on worker inclusivity. Whereas lodging are made for issues like versatile begin occasions (for accessible transportation) and shorter shifts to keep up focus, she discovered the coverage embraced by workers of all talents.
Key, Singer says, is direct communication with every worker about how to achieve success, supported by a buddy system that offers workers with disabilities direct help when wanted.
This 12 months, Milk Jar will bear a serious rebrand, maintain extra candle-making workshops and launch US gross sales, enormously growing each manufacturing and charitable donations.
Then there’s “The Finest” folder that Singer retains on her laptop.
“There are messages thanking us, saying they are going to be prospects perpetually, not only for the candles, however as a result of we give hope to disabled members of the family.”
