Page 34 - BusinessWest April 1, 2024

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Balise
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make the most impact.
“In talking about it and in looking at what we’ve
supported historically and where we’ve been able to have the biggest impact, we thought we could say yes to $100 for several small donations and have small impacts for some, or ... we could refine our guidelines and make sure that, where we’re donating, we have a bigger impact that’s going to have a lasting result in the community.
“So instead of sponsoring a golf tournament or a gala, we want to actually sponsor the new computers or building a new classroom or medical deliveries, as opposed to the 5Ks to raise money. They’re all impor- tant, and we need all of those to fundraise, but if we have the opportunity to have more focused donations
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that have a bigger impact on the organizations that we’re helping, that’s the direction we’ve decided to take.”
Meanwhile, as noted, she is out in the community herself. In addition to reading at Swan School, she’s a corporator at Square One (the company also spon- sors a classroom there), and, in the Providence mar- ket, she helped wrap presents to be given to patients at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, an initiative that involved many from the company.
While doing all that, she also saves large amounts of time for family, part of the balancing act that is part and parcel of being a woman (and, especially, a man- ager) in business today.
“It’s a lot, and it’s hard,” Balise acknowledged. “I’m
financial decisions; take charge of bidding, negotia- tion, and signing of contracts; supervise employees, and manage the office.
What’s Next
Most programs will involve back-and-forth com- munication with the program certifiers, and for the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, an investiga- tor is assigned after submission of the application for verification and additional information gathering on the business.
Once approved, in addition to taking advantage of the benefits offered through the programs, the
lucky that I have a great team at work, and I’m lucky that I have a job that’s flexible enough that I can work from home; I can go pick up my son and transfer home when I need to, and I have family nearby that can help pick up some days.
“I don’t know how people manage it when they have kids and they have a job where they have to be at a physical location the whole time,” she went on. “When you have two young kids and you work, there is no balance. Basically, when I’m not working, I’m focused on my kids and my family, and we try to fit in as much as we can and have dinner together.” BW
certification gives bragging rights. Our women- and minority-owned businesses are already proud of
their accomplishments, and now more than ever they deserve to celebrate their status. A formal certification will only further benefit the business, and when they grow, we all reap the rewards. BW
Jennifer Sharrow is an associate with the
law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. in the Corporate Department, and is licensed to practice law in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire; (413) 781- 0560; [email protected]
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Certify
How You Manage the Business
This is very important. The certifications gener- ally require not just 51% ownership, but also that the women and minority owners exert substantial con- trol over the operations of the business. These aren’t programs for propping up a token leader, but instead for acknowledging those who have had to run their business while jumping over additional hurdles due to their race, gender, ethnicity, or other diverse class status.
Evidence for this often takes the form of answering a series of questions on who has the power to make
Get ready for spring with a new set of tires, and support a great cause!
You’ll always find unbeatable tire prices at Balise. And this month, your new set of tires will help support Square One and local youth development in the Springfield area.
Square One’s range of family-friendly education and support services include early education centers, after-school care, and parent education.
For more information or to make a donation, visit baliseauto.com
34 APRIL 1, 2024
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