Gabi & Jules Handmade Pies and Baked Goodness
Lisa Beecroft wants to make one thing clear: her business is just that, a business. The
Port Moody bakery and café launched in 2016 after Beecroft and her husband, Patrick, had put in time bringing their pies to local farmers markets and established a brand.
So when they opened their shop, it didn't just give customers a chance to reliably indulge in Gabi & Jules's signature strawberry-ginger-peach pie. It was also an opportunity for the eatery to bring on board the kind of people they wanted. Beecroft's oldest daughter, Gabriela (her other daughter is named Juliana—get it?), is on the autism spectrum, and she and her husband wanted to create an inclusive environment.
“It's not a charity at all— there are so many business reasons for why being inclusive makes good sense, and it requires intention,” says Beecroft, who employs 35 people, 10 of whom are on the spectrum. Conceding that the labour shortage in the hospitality
industry is a “real thing,” she thinks her company is probably better suited than most to be an inclusive employer. “We understand some of the challenges that come with the autism diagnosis, so we probably have a higher level of patience, and we're definitely committed to this.”
Beecroft, who partners with agencies like Coquitlam's Kinsight and provincial employment program Workbc to fill roles, has found that those on the spectrum can slot into a variety of positions. “Dishwashers, bakery assistants, people who work out front—it's based on the individual's skill set, as well as where they're at,” she says. “We have one guy who, even before we opened the bakery, has been building our pie boxes since we started Gabi & Jules. He's fairly non-verbal, comes in twice a week and spends an hour building our boxes, and it's so crucial. He's amazing at it—builds 100 an hour, which is phenomenal.”