Enterprising Kitchen
The Enterprising Kitchen (TEK), a nonprofit social enterprise, provides workforce
development and support services to lower-income women working toward self-sufficiency
and economic independence. Within the context of a business where they manufacture
natural soaps and spa products under the brand name Choices from The Enterprising
Kitchen, women receive intensive workforce preparation and skills development including:
paid employment, work and life skills training, individualized career planning,
high school equivalency preparation, technology training, financial planning and
a variety of other support services. Located in Chicago, TEK enables lower-income
women who have been unemployed and underemployed to maximize their individual potential
and move into sustainable employment after 6 months. All products are manufactured
in small batches onsite at the Chicago facility.
Through TEK’s social enterprise, participants have the opportunity to work in all
aspects of this growing enterprise, including manufacturing, customer service, direct
sales, assembly, production as well as shipping and receiving. This wide range of
experience and opportunity helps women become more competitive in today’s job market.