Page 9 - BEQ Magazine Iss 19

support them in whatever it is they are dealing
with. People will remember how you supported
them through things, and our commitment is to
have our team retire with us.”
The company also offers attractive benefits like
a 401(k) with matching, an online store for rewards
and employee coaching programs.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

As founder and owner of the company, Matt
can make policy shifts at WME that reflect his
priorities. Shifting the culture of a community
I wasn’t alone,” he says. “Over the years, we tolerated can be more challenging.
it, worked through it, pushed through it. But then I The multiracial couple (Christopher
got this idea that we can do more and enforce our is a naturalized United States citizen
values with an ethics clause that allows us to provide originally from the Philippines) lives
a two-week notice that we are discontinuing work in a mostly white, mostly straight
if (a client) violates our ethical obligations and the neighborhood. “We treat everyone in
values of WME.” our neighborhood the way we want
“We are not burning bridges here,” he adds. “We to be treated, and people have been very nice,”
are simply making a statement Christopher says. But the Tinneys know they are
that while we appreciate the breaking barriers just by
opportunity to provide value living there.
to our customers/partners, we “One day, I saw the
will not be working in toxic kids at the Catholic school
environments that don’t (where we’ll probably send
respect, value and honor our our kids) outside singing
employees.” — with all mothers in the
audience,” Matt says. “There
“PEOPLE OVER was not a single dad. So,
PROFITS” what’s that going to look like

The ethics clause is part for us? Chris and I are the
of the company’s overall boys’ moms and their dads.
philosophy: “For us, it’s We are the modern family.”
employees over customers Grandpa William holds Nicholas . “But I don’t say, ‘I’m
and people over profits,” Matt says, and that different. I don’t belong,’ ” Matt
means “empowering our staff to be and do their says. “I acknowledge the situation and move forward.
best.” You have to feel comfortable in your own skin to feel
“This can look like a lot of different things,” part of a community. Maybe that’s why I felt called
he says. “For instance, when I sense someone is back to Philadelphia in 2016. I feel like we’re setting
struggling, I set up an empowerment meeting to a trend for others who will follow us.” 

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