Lori Nair, a female business owner in Tulsa, started her shop by chance 22 years ago when her daughter needed a special bag for her wheelchair. She began sewing and eventually expanded to embroidery. Her business grew so much that she opened a brick-and-mortar location near 31st and Harvard in Tulsa. Nair expressed her love for being in Tulsa and enjoying the work she does with the support of her team at Tatermash Embroidery.
Tulsa has seen an increase in female business ownership, with a score of 61/100 in the latest data on equality indicators. This reflects a positive trend in the city’s support for women entrepreneurs. Networking with other small businesses has been crucial for Nair’s success, highlighting the importance of community support in business.
In contrast, Tulsa has seen a significant decline in homelessness by disability status, with a score dropping from 35/100 in 2018 to 20/100. Homeless man Walt Lewis, who uses a wheelchair, shared his struggles and the need for more resources to support individuals facing homelessness. Mayor GT Bynum acknowledges these challenges as part of a larger narrative for the city of Tulsa.
The stories of Lori Nair’s success as a female business owner and Walt Lewis’s challenges as a homeless individual reflect the diverse experiences within the Tulsa community. Despite the different realities they face, both highlight the importance of support systems and resources in shaping the city’s overall landscape.
Tulsa has made progress towards promoting gender equality by providing more opportunities for women entrepreneurs to succeed. The recent data shows that female business ownership has increased significantly, scoring 61/100 compared to previous years. This reflects positively on the city’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs.
However, despite this progress, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. For example, Walt Lewis’ story highlights how individuals facing homelessness by disability status continue to struggle despite recent efforts to address this issue. The city’s mayor recognizes these challenges as part of a larger narrative that requires ongoing attention and resources.
Overall, these stories underscore how diverse experiences shape Tulsa’s community landscape. While Lori Nair’s success reflects one positive outcome of entrepreneurship and community support, Walter Lewis’ struggles serve as a reminder that there is still much work to be done before everyone can thrive equally in this city.