What role can businesses play in making Austin a better place to live? Can they leverage their voices and resources to make a positive impact?
That’s the idea behind Good Work Austin, a new organization made up of socially-responsible, local businesses. At their official launch party earlier this week, Adam Orman (of L’oca D’oro) explained, “Our common bond at Good Work Austin is a desire to find solutions to the issues that face our businesses, while also benefitting, rather than exploiting, our employees and our neighbors.”
Good Work Austin was born out of the coalition of local businesses who worked to write and then pass Austin’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (which was the first of its kind passed in Texas). Building off that momentum, they hope to build a larger network of businesses who can share resources and advocate for policies that support a values-driven approach to owning and operating a small business.
Issues that they hope to address include helping businesses offer healthcare and a living wage to employees, spearheading zero waste initiatives, and creating a safe workplace that is free from sexual harassment.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler also attended the launch party, praising the group for creating a progressive business voice within the community.
“We’re successful in this city not in spite of the environmental things we do, but because of the environmental things we do…,” Adler said.
Right now, Good Work Austin is still very much in its beginning stages and is looking for other small business owners to get involved and to help shape it. If you’re interested, you can sign up here>>
Wondering who else is a part of Good Work Austin?
- Valerie Ward, Sweet Ritual vegan ice cream
- Chris Applegate, Shed barber shop
- Matt Wright, Brew & Brew and Better Half
- Tom Rosen, Rosen’s bagels
- Jodi Mozeika, Black Star brewpub coop
- Amanda May, Purple Fig cleaning
- Mojdeh Gharbi, Certain Affinity video game development
- Adam Orman, L’Oca D’Oro Italian restaurant
