November 10, 2024 • 30 mins
Discover how embracing inclusivity transforms a business and its community. Join us as we spotlight Jamie Minotti and Mark McLarry, the visionary co-founders of My Yard Live Beer Company, who are pioneering inclusive employment practices for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through their inspiring collaboration with remarkable individuals like James Zoul, who has Down syndrome, and Kevin the Baker, an entrepreneur with autism, we learn how such efforts can enrich both business operations and community bonds. Their journey not only highlights the value of taking risks on an often-overlooked workforce but also illustrates the profound societal benefits that can emerge when diversity and inclusion are central to business values.
We also tackle the often daunting topic of discussing disabilities openly, emphasizing the importance of courage and understanding in these conversations. By confronting the evolving language and societal norms surrounding disability, we show how normalizing such dialogues can foster more inclusive personal and professional environments. Reflecting on personal stories and experiences, we stress the significance of integrating individuals with disabilities into diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. My Yard Live's mission to create change "one starfish at a time" serves as a powerful reminder that individual actions can inspire broader societal shifts, encouraging businesses everywhere to rethink their approach to inclusivity. Join us in celebrating My Yard Live Beer Company's efforts and be inspired to make a difference within your own community.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Greta Harrison (00:00):
Hello, my name is Greta Harrison.
Welcome to Born FabulousPodcast, season 3, episode 30.
This is the final episode ofSeason 3.
The theme of this season isyoung adults with intellectual
disabilities living full livesof independence and
interdependence, with love,gratitude and deep respect to
(00:23):
all the young adults and parentsin Season 30,.
This is my favorite episode ofthe entire season.
From the very beginning, youwill hear profound statements
from Jamie Minotti and MarkMcCleary, words that every
employer in the US and beyondneed to hear.
Work is so vital to full lifeand eventual independence for
(00:47):
everyone.
That includes people withdisabilities.
This is the last of threeepisodes featuring Jamie and
Mark, who are co-founders andmanaging partners of my Yard
Live Beer Company in San Marcos,california, a suburb of San
Diego.
My Yard Live has a uniquemission.
Their mission seeks to create asustainable, family-friendly
(01:11):
refuge with activities for allages live entertainment, quality
food and libations, as well asunique leisure games, with a
focus on building a strongercommunity.
Their mission further statesthey will create a paradigm
shift in the way thatcommunities interact, play and
bond by inventing an inclusive,family and adult-friendly
(01:35):
gathering space that has theability to be replicated in the
Western United States and beyond.
This mission organically led tothe hire of James Zoll when my
Yard Live opened in 2019, monthsbefore the COVID pandemic hit.
James's job has grown over hisyears with my Yard Live.
(01:56):
James happens to have Downsyndrome.
Now let's go straight to myfavorite interview.
Now, let's go straight to myfavorite interview.
So, across the US, people withdevelopmental disabilities have
very low employment rates.
We all know this.
We've alluded to it in thisconversation.
(02:16):
The majority of employers areafraid and they're unaware that
this vast population can be areal benefit to their businesses
.
Jamie Minotti (02:30):
What can you say to them directly to help appease
their fears of the unknown?
Don't be scared, don't be soscared.
So, and I'm sorry, just realquick.
So you know, as a businessowner and entrepreneur, you do
nothing but take risks.
That is your job to take risksand risks of opening a business
(02:54):
and risks of bringing onemployees and who the employees
are that you bring on, andscreening and retention.
You're working with people.
You're working with community.
You're working with finances.
You're working with pandemic.
It's full of risk.
So if the biggest risk you takeis taking a chance on a person
(03:19):
that has special needs, that'sthe absolute smallest risk you
could take in your business andthe smallest risk you take in
what you operate on a day-to-daybasis.
It really is, and I'm going tospeak for ourselves.
This has been nothing butbeneficial.
(03:39):
Nothing but beneficial to mepersonally, me professionally,
our business, our team,everybody we work with our
investors, the community, theChamber of Commerce, the city,
you name it.
There's been nothing negativeor detrimental to anything that
we've done with James or anybodyelse that we work with, with
(04:03):
people with special needs andone of the people that we
haven't mentioned.
That I'm just.
I need to mention now because Ithink it really brings this
whole conversation to the nextlevel is we work with a baker,
kevin the baker.
He's an entrepreneur, he's abusiness owner, and Kevin's mom
(04:26):
reached out to us five or sixmonths ago and said you know, my
son is a baker and he has acompany, kevin the baker, and he
also has autism.
And would you, if I brought insome samples, would you guys try
(04:47):
some samples?
We're having a tough timegetting his baked goods into
places and I see that you employpeople with special needs and
I've read the stories about thefour dudes, et cetera, et cetera
, and we said absolutely bringthem in.
Some of the best baked goodsthat we've ever tried.
The team has ever tried.
And the guys in the back, even,who have been baking for years,
(05:09):
tried and said this is one ofthe best brownies that we've
ever tried.
And so from that point on, webring in Kevin the baker's
brownies and we make a brownieskillet out of brown skillet,
out of his brownies, and he'sbeen supplying us with brownies
ever since and so-.
Mark McLarry (05:32):
Never one seller on our dessert Never one dessert
seller that we have.
Jamie Minotti (05:37):
And so it goes well beyond employment of people
with special needs and whattheir abilities are and what
they can do and what they can'tdo and the whole thing, and it
has to do with just having goodpeople connected with your
business, and that's what it'sall about for us.
Greta Harrison (05:57):
And you're supporting another entrepreneur
because he's an entrepreneur,just like anybody else is an
entrepreneur, and you gave him achance, just like every
entrepreneur needs a chance whenthey're trying to break in.
That's great.
Mark McLarry (06:11):
And Jamie nailed it as far as that question, and
I was just going to add thatevery quarter we put out a
quarterly review and this pastone we actually updated them on
this grant that we applied forand everything and what we've
been doing working with peoplewith disabilities and everything
, and most of the time they'rejust they're like we don't hear
(06:33):
anything from them.
But when we talk about thingslike projects like this, it's
it's when we actually hear back,they're saying that's great,
what you're doing working withpeople with disabilities.
So you know, it's, it's a great.
It's even, you know, even froma business standpoint,
investment standpoint, it's.
It's a great thing too, becausethey they love to see what
we're doing for for ourcommunity.
Greta Harrison (06:53):
That's good and they see that it's also helping
your bottom line.
They see that firsthand.
So okay, If you could changethe business world in all our
communities to make them moreinclusive, what would you do?
Mark McLarry (07:08):
Well, it's definitely a loaded question.
I think that it really has tostart.
It has to be all-encompassing,as in it has to start with the
individual, then it also has toinclude businesses.
It has to include world leaders.
It has to include businesses,it has to include world leaders.
It has to include governments.
Like it's going to take allthese, all these components to
(07:29):
actually make make this change,in my opinion.
Yeah, like it can't.
It can't just be one individualbusiness or an individual
person.
It's going to take, it's goingto, it's going to take a village
, in my opinion.
Greta Harrison (07:42):
And a tsunami.
Mark McLarry (07:44):
And a tsunami and what about you?
Greta Harrison (07:47):
Jamie.
Jamie Minotti (07:49):
You know, I think there's a buzz and trends and
rightfully so of DEI inbusinesses diversity, equity and
inclusion and there's been abig movement in that and a big
movement in company culture andin a lot of, you know, a lot of
(08:12):
movement surrounding those twoareas.
And I think, as I talk aboutDEI with folks in and out of our
industry and culture in and outof our industry, you know one
thing that I think is missingout of that DEI acronym is A in
accessibility.
And so when we talk aboutdiversity and, you know, equity,
(08:38):
inclusion and accessibility andcompany culture, I don't think
there's any one thing that couldbe better for all of that, in
the growth of all of that,beyond employment of folks with
disabilities and special needs,and I and I think it's, I think
(09:00):
it's across the board All ofthose things get better.
Um, all of those things getbetter.
You know we get better asprofessionals, our companies get
better, the bottom lines getbetter, everything gets better.
And so creating moreconversations like this and
creating, like Mark you knowMark mentioned earlier you know
(09:22):
I think people are scared,scared to talk right, because
you know, oftentimes and Iappreciate you for correcting me
earlier in the conversation.
But oftentimes there's so manymoving parts of what should be
said and not said and what usedto be said and what can be said.
But you put this in front ofthat and that behind this and
(09:44):
here's the acronym and this isthe new way we say things that
people become scared abouttalking about it.
And I think making it normal tohave conversations and making
it normal to say things wrongand be corrected and have that
conversation about you know,that's the way we used to say
things, but now we say things inthis way, but not letting those
(10:06):
things become a barrier tohaving those conversations, and
making it normal to hire peoplewith special needs and to work
with people with special needsand to talk to people with
special needs and to talk aboutdisabilities and talk about
those things.
And I think, the more we cannormalize it and break down
(10:27):
those barriers of what thoseacronyms are and what those
terminologies are and I know howimportant they are because I
know I understand the history.
I grew up in a time wheresaying somebody retarded was
normal, like I grew up in thattime.
(10:48):
So I understand the importanceof progression but I also
understand the importance ofmaking it normal and I think if
there's anything we can thankJune for, and James for, and Jim
for, and Beth for and all thosepeople that we work with is to
make it normal and make it okaythat we have our front of house
(11:11):
venue manager who has neverworked with people with special
needs in his entire life, andmaking it normal for him to have
that conversation and making itokay for him to say things in a
way that isn't, you know,correct, isn't politically
correct, but also making itnormal, in a way, to have that
(11:33):
conversation and saying, youknow, hey, this is the way we
say things.
This is the way we do things.
This is the way things, you know, work right now in our sector,
in our industry, andunderstanding the way we do
things in our industry andunderstanding how things can
(11:53):
come together and meld.
I can remember the first time Ibrought up living in, you know,
a group home or group home kindof environment with, you know,
june and Beth, in thatconversation that took place in
the movement towards independentliving and the movement towards
(12:15):
and that was eye-opening to meand that was really an
eye-opening conversation and Ithink having those conversations
, having these conversations andbeing OK to be wrong and be
corrected, and moving on fromthat, because I don't think, you
know, in our, our environmentand the people that we work with
in our community, no one wantsto be offensive, no one wants to
(12:42):
, you know, I would say,demonize, but nobody wants to be
in a place where they're tryingto limit people with special
needs in our community, in ourworld, in our circles and I know
that's not all circles buthaving that comfort level,
circles, but having that comfortlevel and I think June, jim and
(13:05):
James, first and foremost, indeveloping that relationship,
has created that comfort levelto the point where Mark's, you
know, sitting down as he alwayshas with his sister-in-law
having a conversation, and nowour entire team is able to have
(13:27):
that conversation and I thinkcreating that normalcy and being
able to do that is going tocatapult this thing beyond
anything we can do into thefuture.
Greta Harrison (13:33):
I love both of your answers.
There are different points ofview, but you're both correct in
my opinion.
And, Jamie, when you're talkingabout diversity, equity and
inclusion, the biggest rub onmost people is that usually
people with disabilities are notpart of that conversation.
It's not part of thatconversation, Even though all
(13:55):
marginalized groups should bepart of that conversation.
They're just not evenconsidered.
It's just an afterthought.
So, first of all, DEI should beeverywhere and it should
include people with disabilities.
We don't want to step onanybody else's toes, any other
marginalized groups.
Nobody wants to take awayanything from anybody else, they
just want to be included.
So that's my takeaway on thatand everything that you said I
(14:18):
just love about how everythingis spreading again organically,
one person at a time.
Going back to what Mark wassaying, you know how it's going
to take so many different partsof our world and our society to
make a massive change, and Isaid it would take a tsunami and
I was half joking and halfserious there.
(14:41):
But the truth is you guys aredoing it one starfish at a time.
Serious there, but the truth isyou guys are doing it one
starfish at a time.
You know every employee, everycustomer, every interaction with
the media, every interactionwith the community.
You're doing it one starfish ata time, and that's very, very
important too.
You don't know what personyou're dealing with.
Maybe you have a 10-year-oldcoming and they're so used to
(15:05):
seeing people with disabilitiesthere and in the venue.
They will be more aware andinclusive of people with
disabilities in their school andin their life and they might
grow up to be a doctor or alawyer or a teacher or a
business owner, and that willtranslate.
So I love everything that youguys said.
I now understand why June is soin love with my yard live and
(15:27):
its leadership, and I was soexcited to talk to you for all
these months.
So I love it.
You guys are giving me lots ofmaterial for memes.
I'm going to be making lots ofmemes for social media Out of
your material.
You're giving me lots and lots.
Jamie Minotti (15:42):
I always wanted to be a meme.
Greta Harrison (15:46):
Your quotes are going to be lots of memes.
Mark McLarry (15:48):
Go ahead.
I wanted to like, like younailed it on the head, one
starfish at a time, because witheverything going on in this
world, it's so it's times aretough right now.
I mean you just across theboard, right, and when, when
people talk about, well, whatcan you do to make a change?
Right, I think.
I mean, I think the onlysolution is to make that change
(16:11):
within your own personal space,your life space, right, and if
everyone were to do that, thatchange would happen.
Greta Harrison (16:19):
You got it.
Yeah, I agree, and you'reabsolutely right.
Is there anything else that youall wanted to say, that that we
haven't talked about, and I'mso glad you brought up again?
Remind me what is the name ofthe Baker.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
Kevin.
Greta Harrison (16:36):
Kevin the Baker.
I am I am so glad that youbrought up Kevin the Baker.
Is there anything else that youwanted to say that we haven't?
Mark McLarry (16:43):
You're currently getting ready, ready to brew the
four wise men.
That's our next wise dudes.
Greta Harrison (16:50):
Wise dudes, the four wise dudes the four wise
dudes, and when is that launchgoing to be?
Jamie Minotti (16:59):
so we're brewing it on uh, november 18th and it's
going to be a winter ipa and,and I was going to say earlier
when we were talking, therelease is going to be December
10th.
So you might want to try andmark that calendar for a trip
(17:20):
out to San Diego to be a part ofthe release celebration.
Greta Harrison (17:25):
I am going to be making a trip.
I don't think it'll be thatsoon, but I am going to be a
part of the release celebration.
I am going to be making a trip.
I don't think it'll be thatsoon, but I am going to be
making a trip.
I promise you what would your.
Are you?
Just so we can get a idea ofhow often is it like every two
or three months that there's alaunch?
Is that about what it is?
Jamie Minotti (17:42):
Yeah, it's really hit or miss.
And the reason I say that isbecause sometimes with some of
the beers we'll do biggerbatches and we'll can it and
we'll put it out into thecommunity, into stores, and then
some of them will be smallerbatches and they'll go to a few
different pubs and then bepoured around here.
(18:03):
So it really varies and we baseit on kind of the, the demand
of it.
So once we see the other onekind of selling out, we ramp up
to do another one.
So we're trying to get them tolike a quarterly, like a three
month.
Greta Harrison (18:22):
Yeah, that's kind of what it seemed like.
Now I'm in Virginia, you guysare in California.
Can somebody in another statedo you ship to other states?
Mark McLarry (18:33):
We only distribute in San Diego County.
Jamie Minotti (18:36):
Yeah, not at this time, we don't do it in the
States at this time.
Greta Harrison (18:39):
Okay, not at this time, but when you expand
in the future.
Who knows what the future holdsright?
Mark McLarry (18:45):
Yep, you expand in the future.
Who knows what the future holds?
Greta Harrison (18:46):
right, yep, you could end up, but I but I'm
saying I we might see my yardlive beer in the store someday
in the future.
Who knows?
right, so yeah yeah, we don'tknow, okay.
Well, I thank you so much foryour time and for all that you
do.
It's been a pleasure getting toknow you all.
I hope the world becomes morelike you.
(19:09):
If just one business learnsfrom you, we have all made a
difference today.
I'm hoping it'll be more thanone business that learns from
you, but I appreciate you all.
Thank you so much.
Jamie Minotti (19:23):
Thanks for the invitation and giving us a
platform to have a conversationlike this.
It's been great, Really reallymeaningful to us and the
business that people kind oflook to us in this way.
It's really cool.
Mark McLarry (19:41):
Yeah, and it's great.
Having these conversations likethis just kind of amps us back
up, you know, just makes usamped and ready to keep.
You know, charge the world, youknow.
So.
Greta Harrison (19:54):
And you're changing the world.
You are changing the world Oneinteraction at a time.
I love that and I thank youguys again.
Thank you.
Thank you for listening to the30th and last episode of Born
Fabulous Podcast, third season.
This was the last of threeepisodes with Jamie Minotti and
(20:15):
Mark McCleary.
Please keep in mind that thisinterview was recorded in the
fall of 2023.
So any dates or promotionsmentioned will not be applicable
.
So any dates or promotionsmentioned will not be applicable
.
Regardless, I hope you clearlysee what a wonderful place my
Yard Live Beer Company is andvisit them as soon as you are in
the area.
Those of you who live in theSan Diego area are fortunate to
(20:38):
have this gem right there inyour backyard.
Since this was the last episode,I have some housekeeping to
clear up.
First, I mentioned JamesMadison's nationally respected
I'm Determined program manytimes this season, always naming
the wrong college.
That was a brain fog moment, Iapologize.
(21:00):
My 24-year-old daughter, whohas Down syndrome and autism,
attended many years of I'mDetermined.
Year old daughter, who has Downsyndrome and autism, attended
many years of I'm Determined atJames Madison University in the
summers when she was in middleand high school.
Second, it was my intention tohave resources up on the Born
Fabulous podcast website by thetime season three aired, as of
(21:22):
late October 2024, I still havenot had time, so please be
patient and periodically checkthe website for that updated
page.
It may not happen until early2025, as the holidays are
approaching fast.
Third, if you did not hear allof Season 3, I highly recommend
(21:43):
you go back and hear the entireseason.
I highly recommend you go backand hear the entire season.
Sandra McElwee gives valuableinsight into how California's
extraordinary support servicesare set up.
As she is a provider and aparent.
Her son, sean's pride in hisindependence and his Sean squad
are infectious.
Sean has Down syndrome andhearing loss.
(22:09):
You may know him from A&E'sEmmy-winning series Born this
Way or his t-shirt business.
Shawnee's Patty McEwen shareshow she and her husband raised
the firecracker lobbyisteveryone knows and loves on
Capitol Hill, kayla McEwen.
It isn't easy to see your youngadult leave home, especially
when that first move is toWashington DC.
(22:31):
Kayla and her roommate Alyssashare details of how they chose
their apartment, their chorechart and much more.
Kayla has just received anhonorary doctorate from Syracuse
University and she also happensto have Down Syndrome.
Janice Fialca and RichardFeldman are both internationally
(22:52):
respected speakers, presentersand authors.
They have followed thesupported decision-making model
with circles of support sincetheir son, micah, was very young
, in school.
Their significant stories andsage thoughts continue to help
countless families.
Their son, micah, is fiercelyindependent, living in New York,
while they live in Michigan.
(23:13):
His episodes also feature a keysupport staff member, catherine
, who is wonderful.
Micah is an instructionalassistant at Syracuse University
.
He has an intellectualdisability.
My goal was to end this seasonwith a married couple and their
parents.
I was so fortunate to be ableto have very deep discussions
(23:37):
with June and Jim Zoll andMelody and Bob Ruppel at the
same time.
They are the parents of JamesZoll and Kristen Ruppel, who
have been married over six years.
James and Kristen are afabulous couple who has been
together over 16 years.
They have Down syndrome.
Being able to speak with bothsets of parents was critically
(24:00):
important, as having both setsof parents on the same page is
key to the success of a marriedcouple with intellectual
disabilities.
They shared their adultchildren's journeys from birth
on through their courtship andmarriage.
Funny stories and very wiseadvice were key elements of
their episodes.
Because I am friends with JuneZoll, it did not take long to
(24:22):
realize that her son'semployment journey needed to be
shared and their employer had tobe interviewed.
So, after speaking with Jamesand Kristen and their key
support staff member Lynn, theepisodes that you just heard
with Jamie Minotti and MarkMcCleary from my Yard Live Beer
Company were added.
I am so happy to end thisseason with powerful words that
(24:45):
can hopefully help move theemployment needle forward for
people with disabilities.
Thank you to everyone who hasbeen part of Season 3.
I love you all.
Short video clips from mostepisodes are available on our
YouTube channel and onBornFabulousPodcastcom.
You can also hear all releasedepisodes of Born Fabulous
(25:06):
Podcast on YouTube.
Please follow and like us onFacebook, instagram, twitter and
Threads.
If you enjoyed this episode,please consider leaving a review
wherever you heard this podcast.
If you haven't heard seasonsone and two of Born Fabulous
Podcast, please check them outafter you hear this entire
(25:29):
season.
Now please enjoy the fullversion of the Ring.
The lyrics of this beautifulsong are by Melissa Riggio, who
was the focus of season one,episodes one through four.
Melissa was my daughter's rolemodel and I revere her parents,
steve and Laura Riggio.
Melissa had Down syndrome.
(25:50):
The music and voice are byRachel Fuller.
Thank you so much for listening.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
I'm in the ring outside.
I'm following my belief.
I'm looking at the sky.
I saw God following my heart.
(26:40):
I'm an ordinary woman.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
The wind is blowing me away.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
(27:09):
The wind is blowing me away.
And so I came back to thecenter of the ring.
(27:32):
Am I just a broken angel?
God has sent me here to heal,to be an ordinary woman.
The rain is falling down Downmy way.
(27:57):
The wind is blowing me Away.
The wind is blowing me away.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
The wind is blowing me awayaway.
(28:57):
The rain is falling down Downmy way.
The wind is blowing me away.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
(29:17):
The wind is blowing me away, isthrowing me away.
Thank you, you.
Hello, my name is Greta Harrison.
Welcome to Born FabulousPodcast, season 3, episode 30.
This is the final episode ofSeason 3.
The theme of this season isyoung adults with intellectual
disabilities living full livesof independence and
interdependence, with love,gratitude and deep respect to
(00:23):
all the young adults and parentsin Season 30,.
This is my favorite episode ofthe entire season.
From the very beginning, youwill hear profound statements
from Jamie Minotti and MarkMcCleary, words that every
employer in the US and beyondneed to hear.
Work is so vital to full lifeand eventual independence for
(00:47):
everyone.
That includes people withdisabilities.
This is the last of threeepisodes featuring Jamie and
Mark, who are co-founders andmanaging partners of my Yard
Live Beer Company in San Marcos,california, a suburb of San
Diego.
My Yard Live has a uniquemission.
Their mission seeks to create asustainable, family-friendly
(01:11):
refuge with activities for allages live entertainment, quality
food and libations, as well asunique leisure games, with a
focus on building a strongercommunity.
Their mission further statesthey will create a paradigm
shift in the way thatcommunities interact, play and
bond by inventing an inclusive,family and adult-friendly
(01:35):
gathering space that has theability to be replicated in the
Western United States and beyond.
This mission organically led tothe hire of James Zoll when my
Yard Live opened in 2019, monthsbefore the COVID pandemic hit.
James's job has grown over hisyears with my Yard Live.
(01:56):
James happens to have Downsyndrome.
Now let's go straight to myfavorite interview.
Now, let's go straight to myfavorite interview.
So, across the US, people withdevelopmental disabilities have
very low employment rates.
We all know this.
We've alluded to it in thisconversation.
(02:16):
The majority of employers areafraid and they're unaware that
this vast population can be areal benefit to their businesses
.
Jamie Minotti (02:30):
What can you say to them directly to help appease
their fears of the unknown?
Don't be scared, don't be soscared.
So, and I'm sorry, just realquick.
So you know, as a businessowner and entrepreneur, you do
nothing but take risks.
That is your job to take risksand risks of opening a business
(02:54):
and risks of bringing onemployees and who the employees
are that you bring on, andscreening and retention.
You're working with people.
You're working with community.
You're working with finances.
You're working with pandemic.
It's full of risk.
So if the biggest risk you takeis taking a chance on a person
(03:19):
that has special needs, that'sthe absolute smallest risk you
could take in your business andthe smallest risk you take in
what you operate on a day-to-daybasis.
It really is, and I'm going tospeak for ourselves.
This has been nothing butbeneficial.
(03:39):
Nothing but beneficial to mepersonally, me professionally,
our business, our team,everybody we work with our
investors, the community, theChamber of Commerce, the city,
you name it.
There's been nothing negativeor detrimental to anything that
we've done with James or anybodyelse that we work with, with
(04:03):
people with special needs andone of the people that we
haven't mentioned.
That I'm just.
I need to mention now because Ithink it really brings this
whole conversation to the nextlevel is we work with a baker,
kevin the baker.
He's an entrepreneur, he's abusiness owner, and Kevin's mom
(04:26):
reached out to us five or sixmonths ago and said you know, my
son is a baker and he has acompany, kevin the baker, and he
also has autism.
And would you, if I brought insome samples, would you guys try
(04:47):
some samples?
We're having a tough timegetting his baked goods into
places and I see that you employpeople with special needs and
I've read the stories about thefour dudes, et cetera, et cetera
, and we said absolutely bringthem in.
Some of the best baked goodsthat we've ever tried.
The team has ever tried.
And the guys in the back, even,who have been baking for years,
(05:09):
tried and said this is one ofthe best brownies that we've
ever tried.
And so from that point on, webring in Kevin the baker's
brownies and we make a brownieskillet out of brown skillet,
out of his brownies, and he'sbeen supplying us with brownies
ever since and so-.
Mark McLarry (05:32):
Never one seller on our dessert Never one dessert
seller that we have.
Jamie Minotti (05:37):
And so it goes well beyond employment of people
with special needs and whattheir abilities are and what
they can do and what they can'tdo and the whole thing, and it
has to do with just having goodpeople connected with your
business, and that's what it'sall about for us.
Greta Harrison (05:57):
And you're supporting another entrepreneur
because he's an entrepreneur,just like anybody else is an
entrepreneur, and you gave him achance, just like every
entrepreneur needs a chance whenthey're trying to break in.
That's great.
Mark McLarry (06:11):
And Jamie nailed it as far as that question, and
I was just going to add thatevery quarter we put out a
quarterly review and this pastone we actually updated them on
this grant that we applied forand everything and what we've
been doing working with peoplewith disabilities and everything
, and most of the time they'rejust they're like we don't hear
(06:33):
anything from them.
But when we talk about thingslike projects like this, it's
it's when we actually hear back,they're saying that's great,
what you're doing working withpeople with disabilities.
So you know, it's, it's a great.
It's even, you know, even froma business standpoint,
investment standpoint, it's.
It's a great thing too, becausethey they love to see what
we're doing for for ourcommunity.
Greta Harrison (06:53):
That's good and they see that it's also helping
your bottom line.
They see that firsthand.
So okay, If you could changethe business world in all our
communities to make them moreinclusive, what would you do?
Mark McLarry (07:08):
Well, it's definitely a loaded question.
I think that it really has tostart.
It has to be all-encompassing,as in it has to start with the
individual, then it also has toinclude businesses.
It has to include world leaders.
It has to include businesses,it has to include world leaders.
It has to include governments.
Like it's going to take allthese, all these components to
(07:29):
actually make make this change,in my opinion.
Yeah, like it can't.
It can't just be one individualbusiness or an individual
person.
It's going to take, it's goingto, it's going to take a village
, in my opinion.
Greta Harrison (07:42):
And a tsunami.
Mark McLarry (07:44):
And a tsunami and what about you?
Greta Harrison (07:47):
Jamie.
Jamie Minotti (07:49):
You know, I think there's a buzz and trends and
rightfully so of DEI inbusinesses diversity, equity and
inclusion and there's been abig movement in that and a big
movement in company culture andin a lot of, you know, a lot of
(08:12):
movement surrounding those twoareas.
And I think, as I talk aboutDEI with folks in and out of our
industry and culture in and outof our industry, you know one
thing that I think is missingout of that DEI acronym is A in
accessibility.
And so when we talk aboutdiversity and, you know, equity,
(08:38):
inclusion and accessibility andcompany culture, I don't think
there's any one thing that couldbe better for all of that, in
the growth of all of that,beyond employment of folks with
disabilities and special needs,and I and I think it's, I think
(09:00):
it's across the board All ofthose things get better.
Um, all of those things getbetter.
You know we get better asprofessionals, our companies get
better, the bottom lines getbetter, everything gets better.
And so creating moreconversations like this and
creating, like Mark you knowMark mentioned earlier you know
(09:22):
I think people are scared,scared to talk right, because
you know, oftentimes and Iappreciate you for correcting me
earlier in the conversation.
But oftentimes there's so manymoving parts of what should be
said and not said and what usedto be said and what can be said.
But you put this in front ofthat and that behind this and
(09:44):
here's the acronym and this isthe new way we say things that
people become scared abouttalking about it.
And I think making it normal tohave conversations and making
it normal to say things wrongand be corrected and have that
conversation about you know,that's the way we used to say
things, but now we say things inthis way, but not letting those
(10:06):
things become a barrier tohaving those conversations, and
making it normal to hire peoplewith special needs and to work
with people with special needsand to talk to people with
special needs and to talk aboutdisabilities and talk about
those things.
And I think, the more we cannormalize it and break down
(10:27):
those barriers of what thoseacronyms are and what those
terminologies are and I know howimportant they are because I
know I understand the history.
I grew up in a time wheresaying somebody retarded was
normal, like I grew up in thattime.
(10:48):
So I understand the importanceof progression but I also
understand the importance ofmaking it normal and I think if
there's anything we can thankJune for, and James for, and Jim
for, and Beth for and all thosepeople that we work with is to
make it normal and make it okaythat we have our front of house
(11:11):
venue manager who has neverworked with people with special
needs in his entire life, andmaking it normal for him to have
that conversation and making itokay for him to say things in a
way that isn't, you know,correct, isn't politically
correct, but also making itnormal, in a way, to have that
(11:33):
conversation and saying, youknow, hey, this is the way we
say things.
This is the way we do things.
This is the way things, you know, work right now in our sector,
in our industry, andunderstanding the way we do
things in our industry andunderstanding how things can
(11:53):
come together and meld.
I can remember the first time Ibrought up living in, you know,
a group home or group home kindof environment with, you know,
june and Beth, in thatconversation that took place in
the movement towards independentliving and the movement towards
(12:15):
and that was eye-opening to meand that was really an
eye-opening conversation and Ithink having those conversations
, having these conversations andbeing OK to be wrong and be
corrected, and moving on fromthat, because I don't think, you
know, in our, our environmentand the people that we work with
in our community, no one wantsto be offensive, no one wants to
(12:42):
, you know, I would say,demonize, but nobody wants to be
in a place where they're tryingto limit people with special
needs in our community, in ourworld, in our circles and I know
that's not all circles buthaving that comfort level,
circles, but having that comfortlevel and I think June, jim and
(13:05):
James, first and foremost, indeveloping that relationship,
has created that comfort levelto the point where Mark's, you
know, sitting down as he alwayshas with his sister-in-law
having a conversation, and nowour entire team is able to have
(13:27):
that conversation and I thinkcreating that normalcy and being
able to do that is going tocatapult this thing beyond
anything we can do into thefuture.
Greta Harrison (13:33):
I love both of your answers.
There are different points ofview, but you're both correct in
my opinion.
And, Jamie, when you're talkingabout diversity, equity and
inclusion, the biggest rub onmost people is that usually
people with disabilities are notpart of that conversation.
It's not part of thatconversation, Even though all
(13:55):
marginalized groups should bepart of that conversation.
They're just not evenconsidered.
It's just an afterthought.
So, first of all, DEI should beeverywhere and it should
include people with disabilities.
We don't want to step onanybody else's toes, any other
marginalized groups.
Nobody wants to take awayanything from anybody else, they
just want to be included.
So that's my takeaway on thatand everything that you said I
(14:18):
just love about how everythingis spreading again organically,
one person at a time.
Going back to what Mark wassaying, you know how it's going
to take so many different partsof our world and our society to
make a massive change, and Isaid it would take a tsunami and
I was half joking and halfserious there.
(14:41):
But the truth is you guys aredoing it one starfish at a time.
Serious there, but the truth isyou guys are doing it one
starfish at a time.
You know every employee, everycustomer, every interaction with
the media, every interactionwith the community.
You're doing it one starfish ata time, and that's very, very
important too.
You don't know what personyou're dealing with.
Maybe you have a 10-year-oldcoming and they're so used to
(15:05):
seeing people with disabilitiesthere and in the venue.
They will be more aware andinclusive of people with
disabilities in their school andin their life and they might
grow up to be a doctor or alawyer or a teacher or a
business owner, and that willtranslate.
So I love everything that youguys said.
I now understand why June is soin love with my yard live and
(15:27):
its leadership, and I was soexcited to talk to you for all
these months.
So I love it.
You guys are giving me lots ofmaterial for memes.
I'm going to be making lots ofmemes for social media Out of
your material.
You're giving me lots and lots.
Jamie Minotti (15:42):
I always wanted to be a meme.
Greta Harrison (15:46):
Your quotes are going to be lots of memes.
Mark McLarry (15:48):
Go ahead.
I wanted to like, like younailed it on the head, one
starfish at a time, because witheverything going on in this
world, it's so it's times aretough right now.
I mean you just across theboard, right, and when, when
people talk about, well, whatcan you do to make a change?
Right, I think.
I mean, I think the onlysolution is to make that change
(16:11):
within your own personal space,your life space, right, and if
everyone were to do that, thatchange would happen.
Greta Harrison (16:19):
You got it.
Yeah, I agree, and you'reabsolutely right.
Is there anything else that youall wanted to say, that that we
haven't talked about, and I'mso glad you brought up again?
Remind me what is the name ofthe Baker.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
Kevin.
Greta Harrison (16:36):
Kevin the Baker.
I am I am so glad that youbrought up Kevin the Baker.
Is there anything else that youwanted to say that we haven't?
Mark McLarry (16:43):
You're currently getting ready, ready to brew the
four wise men.
That's our next wise dudes.
Greta Harrison (16:50):
Wise dudes, the four wise dudes the four wise
dudes, and when is that launchgoing to be?
Jamie Minotti (16:59):
so we're brewing it on uh, november 18th and it's
going to be a winter ipa and,and I was going to say earlier
when we were talking, therelease is going to be December
10th.
So you might want to try andmark that calendar for a trip
(17:20):
out to San Diego to be a part ofthe release celebration.
Greta Harrison (17:25):
I am going to be making a trip.
I don't think it'll be thatsoon, but I am going to be a
part of the release celebration.
I am going to be making a trip.
I don't think it'll be thatsoon, but I am going to be
making a trip.
I promise you what would your.
Are you?
Just so we can get a idea ofhow often is it like every two
or three months that there's alaunch?
Is that about what it is?
Jamie Minotti (17:42):
Yeah, it's really hit or miss.
And the reason I say that isbecause sometimes with some of
the beers we'll do biggerbatches and we'll can it and
we'll put it out into thecommunity, into stores, and then
some of them will be smallerbatches and they'll go to a few
different pubs and then bepoured around here.
(18:03):
So it really varies and we baseit on kind of the, the demand
of it.
So once we see the other onekind of selling out, we ramp up
to do another one.
So we're trying to get them tolike a quarterly, like a three
month.
Greta Harrison (18:22):
Yeah, that's kind of what it seemed like.
Now I'm in Virginia, you guysare in California.
Can somebody in another statedo you ship to other states?
Mark McLarry (18:33):
We only distribute in San Diego County.
Jamie Minotti (18:36):
Yeah, not at this time, we don't do it in the
States at this time.
Greta Harrison (18:39):
Okay, not at this time, but when you expand
in the future.
Who knows what the future holdsright?
Mark McLarry (18:45):
Yep, you expand in the future.
Who knows what the future holds?
Greta Harrison (18:46):
right, yep, you could end up, but I but I'm
saying I we might see my yardlive beer in the store someday
in the future.
Who knows?
right, so yeah yeah, we don'tknow, okay.
Well, I thank you so much foryour time and for all that you
do.
It's been a pleasure getting toknow you all.
I hope the world becomes morelike you.
(19:09):
If just one business learnsfrom you, we have all made a
difference today.
I'm hoping it'll be more thanone business that learns from
you, but I appreciate you all.
Thank you so much.
Jamie Minotti (19:23):
Thanks for the invitation and giving us a
platform to have a conversationlike this.
It's been great, Really reallymeaningful to us and the
business that people kind oflook to us in this way.
It's really cool.
Mark McLarry (19:41):
Yeah, and it's great.
Having these conversations likethis just kind of amps us back
up, you know, just makes usamped and ready to keep.
You know, charge the world, youknow.
So.
Greta Harrison (19:54):
And you're changing the world.
You are changing the world Oneinteraction at a time.
I love that and I thank youguys again.
Thank you.
Thank you for listening to the30th and last episode of Born
Fabulous Podcast, third season.
This was the last of threeepisodes with Jamie Minotti and
(20:15):
Mark McCleary.
Please keep in mind that thisinterview was recorded in the
fall of 2023.
So any dates or promotionsmentioned will not be applicable
.
So any dates or promotionsmentioned will not be applicable
.
Regardless, I hope you clearlysee what a wonderful place my
Yard Live Beer Company is andvisit them as soon as you are in
the area.
Those of you who live in theSan Diego area are fortunate to
(20:38):
have this gem right there inyour backyard.
Since this was the last episode,I have some housekeeping to
clear up.
First, I mentioned JamesMadison's nationally respected
I'm Determined program manytimes this season, always naming
the wrong college.
That was a brain fog moment, Iapologize.
(21:00):
My 24-year-old daughter, whohas Down syndrome and autism,
attended many years of I'mDetermined.
Year old daughter, who has Downsyndrome and autism, attended
many years of I'm Determined atJames Madison University in the
summers when she was in middleand high school.
Second, it was my intention tohave resources up on the Born
Fabulous podcast website by thetime season three aired, as of
(21:22):
late October 2024, I still havenot had time, so please be
patient and periodically checkthe website for that updated
page.
It may not happen until early2025, as the holidays are
approaching fast.
Third, if you did not hear allof Season 3, I highly recommend
(21:43):
you go back and hear the entireseason.
I highly recommend you go backand hear the entire season.
Sandra McElwee gives valuableinsight into how California's
extraordinary support servicesare set up.
As she is a provider and aparent.
Her son, sean's pride in hisindependence and his Sean squad
are infectious.
Sean has Down syndrome andhearing loss.
(22:09):
You may know him from A&E'sEmmy-winning series Born this
Way or his t-shirt business.
Shawnee's Patty McEwen shareshow she and her husband raised
the firecracker lobbyisteveryone knows and loves on
Capitol Hill, kayla McEwen.
It isn't easy to see your youngadult leave home, especially
when that first move is toWashington DC.
(22:31):
Kayla and her roommate Alyssashare details of how they chose
their apartment, their chorechart and much more.
Kayla has just received anhonorary doctorate from Syracuse
University and she also happensto have Down Syndrome.
Janice Fialca and RichardFeldman are both internationally
(22:52):
respected speakers, presentersand authors.
They have followed thesupported decision-making model
with circles of support sincetheir son, micah, was very young
, in school.
Their significant stories andsage thoughts continue to help
countless families.
Their son, micah, is fiercelyindependent, living in New York,
while they live in Michigan.
(23:13):
His episodes also feature a keysupport staff member, catherine
, who is wonderful.
Micah is an instructionalassistant at Syracuse University
.
He has an intellectualdisability.
My goal was to end this seasonwith a married couple and their
parents.
I was so fortunate to be ableto have very deep discussions
(23:37):
with June and Jim Zoll andMelody and Bob Ruppel at the
same time.
They are the parents of JamesZoll and Kristen Ruppel, who
have been married over six years.
James and Kristen are afabulous couple who has been
together over 16 years.
They have Down syndrome.
Being able to speak with bothsets of parents was critically
(24:00):
important, as having both setsof parents on the same page is
key to the success of a marriedcouple with intellectual
disabilities.
They shared their adultchildren's journeys from birth
on through their courtship andmarriage.
Funny stories and very wiseadvice were key elements of
their episodes.
Because I am friends with JuneZoll, it did not take long to
(24:22):
realize that her son'semployment journey needed to be
shared and their employer had tobe interviewed.
So, after speaking with Jamesand Kristen and their key
support staff member Lynn, theepisodes that you just heard
with Jamie Minotti and MarkMcCleary from my Yard Live Beer
Company were added.
I am so happy to end thisseason with powerful words that
(24:45):
can hopefully help move theemployment needle forward for
people with disabilities.
Thank you to everyone who hasbeen part of Season 3.
I love you all.
Short video clips from mostepisodes are available on our
YouTube channel and onBornFabulousPodcastcom.
You can also hear all releasedepisodes of Born Fabulous
(25:06):
Podcast on YouTube.
Please follow and like us onFacebook, instagram, twitter and
Threads.
If you enjoyed this episode,please consider leaving a review
wherever you heard this podcast.
If you haven't heard seasonsone and two of Born Fabulous
Podcast, please check them outafter you hear this entire
(25:29):
season.
Now please enjoy the fullversion of the Ring.
The lyrics of this beautifulsong are by Melissa Riggio, who
was the focus of season one,episodes one through four.
Melissa was my daughter's rolemodel and I revere her parents,
steve and Laura Riggio.
Melissa had Down syndrome.
(25:50):
The music and voice are byRachel Fuller.
Thank you so much for listening.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
I'm in the ring outside.
I'm following my belief.
I'm looking at the sky.
I saw God following my heart.
(26:40):
I'm an ordinary woman.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
The wind is blowing me away.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
(27:09):
The wind is blowing me away.
And so I came back to thecenter of the ring.
(27:32):
Am I just a broken angel?
God has sent me here to heal,to be an ordinary woman.
The rain is falling down Downmy way.
(27:57):
The wind is blowing me Away.
The wind is blowing me away.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
The wind is blowing me awayaway.
(28:57):
The rain is falling down Downmy way.
The wind is blowing me away.
The rain is falling down downmy way.
(29:17):
The wind is blowing me away, isthrowing me away.
Thank you, you.
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