We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Ellerbrock and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Taylor, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Up to 95% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed in Texas. Believing that everyone has inherent worth and gifts to contribute to society, I started The BEE Community to create a place where people with disabilities can experience meaningful work and a place of belonging.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The BEE Community exists to provide meaningful work and a place of belonging for adults with disabilities through the handcrafting of high quality products like soaps, candles, dog treats, jewelry, and stationery. We want everyone- regardless of ability and capacity- to experience dignity and purpose that comes from employment. We believe everyone that has a pulse has a purpose and a divine design to work and contribute.
As a special education teacher in Houston (clarify when this was), I started to see the reality of life after high school for my students and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I learned that up to 90% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed nationwide and are oftentimes living lives in isolation. Early in my career, I knew I wanted to step into this reality with a long-term, hope-filled solution but I had no idea what that could or would look like. I had no blueprint, no formula, no business background. All I had was a desire and a growing motivation to do something to provide a place of meaningful work and belonging for adults with disabilities- believing that every one of us, regardless of ability or capacity, is made with gifts, is worthy of dignity, and has the ability to work and contribute.
BEE started in the fall of 2018 employing 7 Artisans: the job title that we have given to describe work that the adults engage in every day. An artisan is a skilled worker or craftsperson. We structured our nonprofit business around the crafting of handmade products like soaps, candles, jewelry, dog treats, stationery and other gift products- all that are available for purchase on our website. Our humble beginnings had us in borrowed church space in a Sunday School room setting up and tearing down each week. In 2021, thanks to the support of our donors, we were able to move into our own facility with a small retail storefront.
I tell people I have the best seat in the house at seeing how God has continued to grow and provide to build our organization. We now employ 21 Artisans, and I could tell you countless stories of lives changed – both our Artisans and their family members. On the first day of work, one of our Artisans who has limited verbal communication, excitedly proclaimed “My dreams are coming true!”. Even deeper than that, some of my favorite stories are seeing our Artisans actually change the lives of those untouched by disability- our volunteers, customers, donors, etc.–that, I believe, is how the narrative shifts from one of pity and status quo care to dignity and meaning.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m pretty sentimental, so I would take them around my old stomping grounds- my grandparents home, the neighborhood pool I grew up going to, on a walk through the neighborhood. We would eat plenty of delicious food- pancakes at Buffalo Grille, sandwiches from Little Jimmy’s Deli, and fajitas from Escalantes!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to SHOUTOUT to Carolyn and Rick Jones! They have been absolutely instrumental to the founding, growth and success of The BEE Community. Carolyn and Rick have a beautiful family and a way of making others feel like they belong in their family, too. They have two amazing daughters who both happen to have autism, so they have personally walked the road of limited opportunities for their daughters to work and belong after high school. They had dreamt and prayed for 15-20 years of starting something like BEE Community, so together we linked arms to do something for this unemployment and isolation crisis. Not only have the Joneses been vital to the health and outcome of BEE, but they also have deeply impacted me personally. Their mentorship, support, encouragement, grace and treatment like another one of their daughters has shaped me in countless ways.
Website: www.thebeecommunity.com
Instagram: @thebeecommunitybcs
Facebook: @thebeecommunitybcs
Image Credits
Ashley Monogue Photography