This week on the blog, we’d love for you to meet Dawn Bentley, the founder of CAIRE. CAIRE is a business dedicated to providing inclusive and accessible community for underserved populations, specifically people with disabilities.
Along with being a busy business owner, she is a mom of 4 and a woman who loves supporting other women.
Keep reading to hear how Dawn’s passion grew into this business and some of her proudest achievements and biggest hurdles she’s had to overcome as a business owner!
Tell us about yourself! What makes you, “you”?
I am a mother of 4, including twins during the pandemic- we lovingly refer to it as twindemic! I have worked in the disability community for over 20 years and inclusion and accessibility are two passions of mine.
Describe your business/services and tell us about what brought you to creating this business and why you’re passionate about it.
CAIRE provides consultation services for business and organizations who are interested in creating or improving programs, services and spaces for accessibility and inclusion using Universal Design and ADA compliance. I also provide training opportunities regarding Disability in DEAI (barriers), Disability Education, Accessibility and Inclusion through Universal Design, Employing People with Disabilities and SMART Goal Development
What goals do you have for your business in the future?
Collaborate with and educate community partners to create a more accessible community by acknowledging intersectionality and addressing the barriers that underserved populations, specifically persons with disabilities, face.
What is your proudest achievement?
Taking the leap of faith to start my own business!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a business owner and how did you overcome it?
Networking and developing clients while balancing being a mother
What advice would you give to a woman looking to start a business or get into a leadership role? Is there one thing that has helped you specifically?
Develop a strong network with people/partners willing to speak to your work; give yourself permission to be your own advocate
What made you want to join HerHub?
My passion for supporting women owned and run businesses aligning with my passion for developing the Toledo area
Why do you feel it’s important to collaborate and empower other women?
We lift ourselves when we lift other women. We’ve all been the woman who is starting fresh, and remember needing people in our corner who believed in our work.
If you could recommend one resource (book, podcast, quote, class, website, etc.), that has helped you in life or in business, what would it be and why?
I would actually recommend leaning on a strong and reputable mentor. Someone with experience who can provide guidance that applies specifically to your goals.
We love spreading love to other woman-owned businesses and we bet you do too. Give a shout out here to your favorite, local, woman-owned business (besides your own)!
JEM Photography, Morgan’s Fitness Solutions, Meeks Sweets, Avocado and Cheese
For more information about CAIRE, follow along at: https://www.facebook.com/cairellc/
