Thriving in Orange: Teresa Monteiro and The Wishes Come True Company

 

Click below to listen to the full conversation between 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck and Teresa Monteiro, founder and owner of The Wishes Come True Company

 

Welcome to “Thriving in Orange!” A monthly segment presented by Orange County Economic Development, “Thriving in Orange” features conversations with local business owners about what it’s like to live and work in Orange County, especially in light of the county’s small business grant program which launched in 2015 and has helped small businesses and small business owners with well over $100,000 in grants each year!

This month, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck has a conversation with Teresa Monteiro, founder and owner of The Wishes Come True Company.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to be an entrepreneur, and I was waiting for the right time,” said Monteiro. ” … As I started growing, I really saw an opportunity here to start employing individuals who wouldn’t otherwise have an employment. My motivation here was my brother, he has a cognitive disability and it’s very difficult for him to get a job.”

The Wishes Come True Company locally sources and assembles gift baskets for individuals and businesses alike, scaling with whatever people might want or need to make days, events and celebrations just a little bit more special

“I source mostly locally, I try and look for local suppliers who have quality gifts but also, preferably, who employ individuals with disabilities themselves,” said Monteiro. “So the whole supply chain serves goodness.”

Listen above for the full conversation!

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In partnership with Orange County Economic Development, 97.9 The Hill presents “Thriving in Orange!” A monthly conversation discussing Orange County’s small business grant program, which began in 2015 and provides $150,000 in small business support each year to local businesses. Find more information about the program here, as well as guidelines for application to receive support from the grant and thrive in Orange!

You can find more conversations like this in the “Thriving in Orange” archive on Chapelboro, and each month in a special segment airing on 97.9 The Hill!