Run plant shop promotes inclusive hiring health care practices
this is actually latest in a series we call PLANT PPL, Where we interview people of color in guarana world.
Juan and Susan Sanchez had their minor, Sofia, In mind once they opened Frida Pickles, A crop, increased and gift shop on Leslie Drive in San Gabriel. The Sanchezes make it a point to employ people with special needs and those who are differently abled.
The store's tagline thriving through flowers is more than solely a motto printed on the shop's awning. It refers to the owners' mission to use the shop as a way to employ residents who have special needs, desire Sofia, 13, that's autistic.
"competitive with people, All [-censured-=https://www.flickr.com/groups/chnlove/]chnlove.com[/-censured-] flowers and plants vary. And we all deserve an opportunity to thrive. That's for ages been our mission statement, barbara Sanchez said.
Juan is a successful restaurateur, And has elevated the hospitality business for over 15 years. Susan is a durability professional who has worked in both the private and public sectors, Including for the city of are usually. She studied botany and plant and garden design for more than a decade.
Their store is termed after their dog, A 3 yr old Tibetan terrier with fluffy white bangs and an open mouthed smile.
approved in May 2019, The lush storefront features countless plants, a floral arrangement, Lawn decorations and more. in truth, a store even sells pickles, should they get approval from Sofia, who is responsible for chief pickle taster.
In a recent Q Juan and Susan weighed in on plant matters and how the pandemic has affected their company.
starting with the name, Frida Pickles.
Juan: I always thought if I have a second daughter she would be named Frida. I always loved the name Frida Kahlo mom and dad house is, to be, Four blocks away from the house where the late artist had once lived [In south america City, Where Juan invested]. But rather than a human daughter, most certainly, We had a doggy boy. The pickles part is because Susan and Sofia love pickles.
We hired a branding agency and spent cash on [Trying to determine what to name the store.] And at the end throughout, the trainer told us, "This carpeting name. This is a brand name,
And Frida Pickles is the pet.
leslie: Frida's not a fully licensed therapy dog. But she is a breed that is very intuitive, Very smart with managing and handling our staff and helping them to interact with. Even when Sofia many walks too fast, Frida is there to guide her, prod her along, Help her see in a way where she's kind of not bumping into things. Frida found her way into us. and that we felt like, amazing needs adults, They really have a hard time finding a place in the world. And so Frida is to be fitting for us. She consists of everybody.
Juan: We have our tensions, Like some other couple. It's overwhelming but is wonderful. consider using something in common. Helping others is what I have that is similar to my wife. We put our self first, keep in mind that, But we want to be keep helping others.
as an example, our neighbors, Her husband is in the hospital and she has dementia and we are always being sure she's OK. Bringing food and bringing flowers to a healthcare facility for the husband. fully grasp, These kinds of acts of kindness need to be coming out from your heart.
Is there a secret in order to it all work?
barbara: to know what you're good at and admit what you're not good at. And you have to admit what your are not great at. And just admit it straightaway. Because it's a union, And it's becoming marriage. it's totally OK not to be good at everything. And also to really, Really try as much as we can to step back most of the time and give each other that space. It's a microscopic space. I'm only there on weekends as soon as possible. And it's also a crazy yet beautiful thing concerning your spouse. And all the time this is our third business just proves that we are both crazy and in love.
determine how to staff your shop?
myra: We work with partnering merchants [Including LIFT and the institute for the Redesign of Learning] And the workability programs in high schools and community colleges that already are working with special needs adults and looking for opportunities to train and employ them. We not only feel those partnerships are important to strengthen how and where we can help support but also they provide us with support and onboarding and management.
And i would say, All workers are paid. They're in essence paid above the minimum wage. So that's important for us. but really, We didn't have a playbook or a template to follow.
you have your own experience as a guide?
leslie: Our child has special needs and developmental disabilities and is neuro atypical. So we feel it's important that we use our own experience in how we work with our staff. And every person varies. So we really modeled the program. So as an example, Some staff get very stressed if it's more than a short shift. So a longer shift examine work [for that matter]. Or when we turn off the lights much for some [Employees who are very responsive to light] And keep the spotlights on the plants against the wall.
You would like to see other businesses do the same?
susan: We realize there's just such a need for a position. i've had parents of special needs [staff] what persons say, "also, warm regards so much, Or parents that sit outside into their car [While their child works]. and they're so worried because [your kids] Have never either left the house to do something similar to this or been away from their parents really.
when you are a special needs parent, I can say you're not just a helicopter parent, you like a stealth force jet, Like coming in always thinking people are trying to get over on you and concered about your kid. I know a majority of these parents and we both just know how to work with some of the kids.
How have you fared the actual pandemic?
leslie: I think during COVID the rules were hard which you can follow with the mask wearing and some of [the mother and father of the young adults working here are worried] About the Delta variant at this instant. So we have a very small staff and we realize success. We feel like we can't offer full time job, But for future years, We can be a stepping-stone, We is something on a rsum and actually be a calming environment.
COVID knocked the wind and account with a bank from us and sadly we lost loved ones to it, But it haven't broken our spirit.