Celebrating diversity in the workplace, WoodmenLife is doing this all year long by sharing stories from people in the Omaha-Metro community. This month they are recognizing national disability employment awareness and Tuesday a special guest came to talk about running and owning his own business.
18-year-old TJ McNew and his father Jim operate a bow ties and socks company out of their home. In many ways McNew is like any other 18-year-old but one thing that sets him apart is that he was born with down syndrome. "We just want to spread happiness, selling socks and bow ties,” said Jim McNew.
For father and son, Jim and TJ McNew, selling socks and bow ties with creative designs is more than a passion project. TJ was born with down syndrome and after he graduated from high school in May his family wanted to help him find the right job for him.
“TJ has always wanted to own his own business and we figured this was a way to help TJ into his future, give him an opportunity to be his own boss,” said McNew. The business launched in August and since then they have sold more than 300 pairs of socks and 75 bow ties. “We're in for the long haul for TJ and we're gonna do whatever we have to do make this business a success,” said McNew.
TJ says he has two goals with this business, "make people happy,” he said, and inspire them by sharing his story. “Celebrating diversity is something that we should be doing every day, it should be part of the air that we breathe, it's part of the culture,” said Marsha Graesser. Tuesday TJ McNew shared his story with employees at WoodmenLife as part of their company's initiative to build awareness of disabilities in the workplace. “we have an opportunity to be one of Omaha’s best places to work, to do that we have to make sure that everybody know that the doors are open, and we want to be a better organization,” said Graesser.
Jim says as a parent you want the best for your child and he was happy he was able to help his son achieve his goals -- and give him the same opportunities as anyone else. “To grow up and enjoy the things normal people get to do, cause sometimes kids with disabilities get put on the sidelines,” said McNew.
He says going forward the family plans on giving back to Special Olympics and the Papillion School District. To help TJ in his efforts WoodmenLife gave the Papillion Schools Foundation $500 on behalf of TJ’s company.
