How one woman with a vision for "special people" built a business.
Barbara Brennan had a child who was born with hydrocephalus, blind by the time he was two, and dead shortly before his eighth birthday. The outgrowth of this personal experience sent the entire Brennan clan in a different direction. Working with the disabled became a way of life. In 1988, they purchased RC Ink, a sheltered workshop making pens, and named it Stride. Stride, because their special employees were making strides in their development.
This nation has developmentally disabled people from all walks of life and all types of heritage. No area of the population is immune. Often, they become dependent on the government for support. But they can be productive members of society and be taxpayers rather than tax burdens. In the years Stride has employed people with disabilities, over 200 have out-grown the pen factory and are now employed in the community.
Stride knows that working, mastering a task, gaining a skill, the best builder of self-esteem in the world. But some will stay at Stride forever. A task, a skill, a place where a person can succeed can always be found. Some may cut ties to federal help completely. Others need a combination of employment and aid. The important thing is having a job to go to each day.
Through the years business decisions were always made with Stride employees in mind. When Stride had to move, a new location was chosen on a bus route so the special people could get to work easily. Work hours are flexible, to accomodate transportation and other needs unique to Stride's special people.
Early on, the decision was made to transition the business from a not-for-profit organization to a for-profit corporation. This shifted the pen manufacturing business from a "government sheltered" set aside business to "head to head" competition with Uniball, Sanford, Pentel, Pilot and the like. And this has been done successfully with continued growth.
Stride, as a supplier of writing instruments to the federal government, was asked by GSA to provide them with a rollerball pen. Stride purchased the roller ball tips from Schneider Writing Instruments in Germany. The two companies formed a close and trusting relationship. In 1993, Stride and Schneider signed a partnering agreement in Germany for Stride to be Schneider's exclusive agent in the USA. More importantly, Schneider executives informed Stride that they believed in, and would never interfere with, the mission of employment of the disabled.
As the importance for diversity suppliers came into the purchasing arena, Stride was certified as a small, woman-owned business, employing disabled people. This has led to Stride's inclusion in major office product catalogues through their Diversity Programs. Stride's growth and reputation has been a factor in their survival and success. Hoping to grow the company even more has led to the formation of a national sales organization. Stride is confident that this addition will create growth and success as the company moves into a new millenium.
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