PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Barbara Hyde Thompson knows how to make a splash. Her home based business Hyde-N-Seek Designs is thriving in a down economy.
She makes three dimensional announcements for businesses.
"I worked my way up in the corporate world for a number of years, a variety of different companies. Then one day I decided I wasn't getting any younger and I wanted to start my own business," said Thompson.
Now, three years later, her business is thriving, and Thompson needs help assembling her projects.
So she turns to those who would otherwise be without a job because of their disability or family situation for help.
"They have particular barriers to employment, so maybe they can't get around, maybe they can't stand for very long, and they might be moms with children," she said.
She contracts with nine people, all working from their homes, helping Thompson to assemble 40 to 50 projects a month.
For her efforts to pay it forward, the Ohio Department of Development recognized Thompson as Social Entrepreneur of the year.
"I hire people for what they can do, not what they can't do," she said.
Thompson says she just wants to be an example to others small business that it is possible to succeed while helping others.
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