Sharing Our “Why”
Little Mittens, the importance of a good environment, and the motivations that led Emily Seevers and Jamie Harris to start their company.
Written by: Jessie Drogemuller
When it comes to starting a company, there are so many aspects to consider and three times as many steps to go through. Thinking through the questions (who, what, where, when, why, and how) helped Emily Seevers and Jamie Harris land on the perfect company for them: Little Mittens Autism Center. Though all the questions had easy answers for them, maybe the best question was “why?” as it secured their belief in their dream.
To the founders of Little Mittens, the most important piece of the puzzle was creating an environment that benefits everyone. Each person that interacts with members of Little Mittens should feel comfortable, confident, safe, and welcome. This attitude extends to clients, staff, visitors, and outside vendors who advertise or accommodate Little Mittens. The importance of an ethical environment that allows people to be themselves and to be respected is crucial to helping this company continue to run in a fashion of which Emily and Jamie can be proud. When the staff feel respected and supported, that will pass on to the clients and the families of the clients, which creates a positive experience for everyone.
Though putting in work can be difficult and stressful at times, it is the goal of Emily and Jamie that their clients continue to enjoy the process. If the students are having fun while making progress, learning new skills, and surpassing their goals, they want to continue coming back to thrive in a wonderful environment. In the ABA world, there is currently a saying “have their assent” which means the student is sharing their desire to learn and gain new skills. Ideally, Little Mittens would like the environment to be so welcoming that every client shares their assent.
Little Mittens officially opened six months ago, but Emily and Jamie are already at a full client load and looking to hire new staff! Though the goal is always to grow and help more people, they would like to ensure that everyone still feels like more than just a number. The dream of the company is to open a center base, throw community events, take field trips, but always be a place where clients are surrounded by familiar, friendly faces and staff members who can share in the exciting moments and understand the setbacks.
Open positions for behavior technicians are posted on the Little Mittens website. The ideal candidate will thrive with mutual respect, teamwork, playful energy, and they won’t be hesitant to take a seat on the floor to connect with their clients. A positive attitude and environment can make all the difference in how an individual will succeed.