Sparks of Impact
THE WOMEN BEHIND PERIPETI HOME
PERIPETI HOME is a small business that embodies its meaning: a “small thing with big impact.” What started as founder Kate Walsh Dodok’s search for non-toxic, clean home fragrance options has grown into a BHITC social enterprise that offers supportive work opportunities for refugee women. Today, PERIPETI HOME is growing in new and exciting ways, which includes expanding into Client Gifting and Kitting and sales on Amazon. With every product launched and every partnership formed, a door to employment is open for our refugee and immigrant neighbors.
One of those neighbors is Khaleda D. After becoming connected with The Hope Center through ESL and computer classes, she found out about an employment opportunity with PERIPETI HOME. She began with straightforward tasks such as cleaning candle jars, preparing materials, and labeling finished products. “I was excited to work with candles,” Khaleda shares. “I enjoy working with my hands. It is relaxing and fun. It brings me happiness.” Some of her favorite PERIPETI HOME fragrances are Grapefruit Vanilla, Sea Salt Jasmine, and Lavender Lilac.
A significant part of Khaleda’s smooth transition came from PERIPETI HOME’s relationship-based approach to training, led by team members like Operations Manager, Taylor Perez. Because many roles are part-time and require specialized skills, Taylor takes a gradual and individualized approach, adapting materials for women with different learning styles and English levels. “We’ve found that visual instructions, like photos and color coding, are especially helpful,” she explains. “Different fragrances use different colored tapes, and we create picture-based guides that show the materials and outline each step. We also use video demonstrations that women can review at home, along with tools like Google Translate. The women are incredibly patient with me but we’re all learning from one another. The initiative from the women we hire shapes our process, and their ideas help us create systems that work.”
As Khaleda grew more comfortable in the studio, her strengths were easy to see. Staff noticed her focus, attention to detail, and willingness to learn additional tasks. These qualities led to her promotion to Pouring Specialist after just four months. “It’s been a cool progression to see Khaleda grow,” Taylor shares. “She’s a self-starter and a problem solver. We have many different products, each with its own measurements and finishing techniques, and she has been great at retaining everything.”
For Khaleda, the job has brought both stability and belonging. “The team has helped me understand every step little by little,” Khaleda shares. “Teamwork makes it happen.” That teamwork is what strengthens the studio. “From sewing to crafting to teaching, each woman brings rich experience from various backgrounds,” Taylor shares. “The women share culture, food, and acknowledge each other’s holidays. We are also aware of what is going on in one another’s lives outside of work.”
Attention to detail and commitment to quality are evident in every PERIPETI HOME product, each one poured and packed with care. Taylor shares, “These women capture the vision of what we’re creating in the studio.” Through their skills, creativity, and dedication, they are shaping the work, strengthening the team, and building a community that uplifts one another. Each candle reflects their talent, confidence, and initiative, making a big impact.
Have you purchased a PERPETI HOME product yet? Each purchase helps BHITC create these continued work opportunities. Learn more about or shop online at www.peripetihome.com. Follow the social enterprise on Instagram and Facebook today @peripetihome!
