#024- The Advantages of an Inclusive Workforce with Mackenzie Edinger of Inclusion Coffee Company
AdaptX Podcast · AdaptX
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Show Notes
For our twenty-fourth episode, Brendan is joined by Mackenzie Edinger, a graduate from Mackenzie from UW-Whitewater’s Early Childhood and Special Education program and a rising entrepreneur within the disability space. Her continued involvement within the disability community and passion for inclusion led her to establish the Inclusion Coffee Company, an establishment that is centered around the employment of individuals with disabilities. Inclusion Coffee Company’s commitment to the fostering of a diverse workplace is a model for the necessity of inclusive employment, as it not only benefits the employees themselves, but also can promote business profitability and growth. Drawing on her restaurant background and extensive experience, including volunteering with Best Buddies, job coaching, and special education studies, Mackenzie aims to create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs feel equally valued and appreciated. To learn more about Mackenzie and Inclusion Coffee Company’s mission, visit their website here.
Episode 24 Chapters:
00:47 - Becoming an Entrepreneur in the Inclusion Space
02:09 - Mackenzie’s Introduction to the Disability Community
02:33 - Continuing and Sustaining Relationships through Inclusion Coffee Company
03:35 - Learning from Other Inclusive Businesses
04:24 - Why Coffee?
05:32 - Adapting to the Customer Service and Business Industry
06:03 - The Advantages to Navigating the Business Industry
07:45 - Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
08:45 - The Unique Skill Sets of Diverse Employees
10:17 - Mackenzie’s Business Model
11:00 - Navigating Social Security Policy
13:16 - Inclusion Coffee Company’s Projection and Expansion
14:25 - The Challenges of Franchising
15:45 - What Can Businesses Do to Be More Inclusive?
17:07 - Similar Employment Models
Key Takeaways:
- Learning on the spot can prove to be an invaluable experience for business owners and entrepreneurs. This process demands heightened attention to detail, especially when navigating industries that may not be familiar to you. While it is often daunting to traverse unfamiliar business practices, the tangible experience gained from doing so creates multifaceted and tenacious companies.
- Inclusive employment practices do not only provide more opportunities for independence to individuals with disabilities, but they can also greatly benefit business models that are centered around inclusion and accessibility. Leveraging a diverse workforce in order to market one’s business to a larger, more expansive audience is an underrated facet of inclusion that should not be overlooked.