While individuals with disabilities make up the largest untapped pool of talent, many businesses overlook exceptional employees due to misconceptions about their productivity and accommodations. East to West Embroidery & Design is a small business that did not let these misconceptions get in the way.

Established in 1995, East to West Embroidery & Design produces high-quality sportswear, embroidery and promotional products from its studio in Manassas, Virginia. Since January 2023, Zach has been a valuable team member, running embroidery machines, sales orders and production. In a mutual effort, Zach and East to West have created an incredible dynamic, learning to navigate what success means to them along the way.

Like many small businesses, East to West struggled to find employees due to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. Their ultimate goal was to find an employee who wanted to work and succeed. Zach, who has autism, matched with East to West through Didlake Employment Services. In a working interview, he demonstrated he could fill the need, and he joined the team shortly thereafter.

“When Zach came in, we knew we could teach him how to do the job. It was about getting his enthusiasm, which we got, which turned him into a great employee,” Kristina Evans, founder of East to West Embroidery & Design.

Zach started part-time, easing into his role as he learned to work in an office with coworkers and maintain a schedule. Working a part-time schedule allowed Zach to acclimate to the environment and gave East to West the time to develop a successful plan. Asking Zach what he needed, giving him the space to advocate for himself and establishing a sense of comfort were instrumental foundations for their relationship.

“The minute that new employee starts is when they are part of East to West. They are not just a number walking through the door. When Zach started here, we wanted Zach to succeed. To be part of the team. When customers come to East to West, it’s East to West; it’s not an individual, we are all one. We all work together to achieve the same goal, to take care of customers. That is on us to teach the employees,” says Evans.

From the initial employer match to adjusting to the workplace, success starts with clear communication. Ask simple questions, pause and take a moment to learn an individual’s needs. This is the ideology East to West implements. The small business recognizes that as an employer, it is responsible for teaching job and life skills to all employees. Helping employees grow helps the company grow as a result. It is all part of the process.

Hiring an individual with a disability introduces terms like “accommodation” or “supervision” to the conversation, enhancing a fear that organizations must completely change their business to cater to a particular set of needs. Lauren Stewart, Sales/Marketing at East to West, advises organizations to go for it anyway.

Being community-integrated and establishing a connection with Didlake helped East to West alleviate the stress of the initial vetting process and open the line of communication to a pool of individuals ready and willing to work.

Upon being hired, Zach and his job coach, James Glover, worked together to determine his needs and how East to West could best support his transition into the workplace. Glover served as a bridge between Zach and East to West in the initial stages and continues to provide support as necessary.

“From our perspective, there were no negatives. You either find a wonderful person that comes in and works with your team, or you’re in the same boat you were in before you couldn’t find an employee,” says Stewart.

Since starting at East to West over a year ago, Zach has transitioned into a 9-5 role with the organization. He continues to master production and looks forward to expanding his customer service skillset. “I’ve been able to learn more and be more open… talk to more people. I haven’t had a whole lot of time to do that because I’ve been out of school for a while,” says Zach. Because of his role at East to West, Zach acquired a car, health insurance and retirement savings plan, and looks forward to what the future brings.

Through community support and fostering genuine connection in the workplace, Zach and East to West Embroidery & Design are a testament to the success of leading with an open mind and creating a work environment where all individuals feel accepted, included and supported to strive for excellence.