Success Stories
“I used to work for a flower shop, I was a driver. Ever since then I wanted to have my own flower business.”
And so began the journey of Tim, the owner/operator of Papa Lu’s Flowers – a flower arranging and delivery business. Tim always had an interest in flowers. Thanks to Easter Seals’ focus on developing employment opportunities, Tim, was paired with a vocational specialist who helped him form a business plan, get a business license and identify his target customers to include small businesses and eateries. They developed a “price-point for purchase” in order to make a profit, and determined inventory and advertised to local businesses using a flyer.
It didn’t take long for Tim to get his first regular customer. Hermosa Lock and Key wanted regular flowers for the counter. Next, Bow Wow Boutique ordered flowers for its front customer-service area. Each new customer confirmed that Tim was in the flower business.
“I like having my own flower business a lot. Easter Seals helped make my dream come true.”
Since 2000, with the help of Easter Seals Supported Employment Service, Jennifer has been working as a teacher’s assistant for special needs children at a preschool on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills.
In 1998 Jennifer signed up with Easter Seals Supported Employment Service and found she was treated like any other applicant – with the same performance expected of her as any new employee. Easter Seals opened the career door at the preschool and has provided weekly guidance with a trained career coach ever since. Jennifer takes the bus each morning to work and receives comparable wages, vacations, heath benefits and retirement plan as her peers.
