Coffee Shops Create Employment for People with Disabilities? - Erin Lyons | Episode 29

Welcome to the Positivity and Practice Podcast! In this episode, host Megan Heritage sits down with Erin Lyon, Grand Haven City Council member, entrepreneur, and passionate nonprofit leader behind Kinsey’s, a café creating meaningful employment for people with disabilities.Erin shares her inspiring (and winding!) journey from international finance and law school to local coffee shop owner and changemaker. Discover how she transformed personal pivots and a desire for purposeful work into a movement, launching and supporting workforce development cafés that empower people with disabilities to gain job skills and independence. Learn what sets Kinsey’s apart, how the B Café model is spreading, and why inclusive employment is good for everyone.The conversation also dives into Erin's candid experiences with public service—running for and now serving on Grand Haven City Council—and how she brings compassion, courage, and real-world perspective to tough community issues like affordable housing, public transportation, and supporting marginalized groups. Megan and Erin talk about balancing hats, overcoming negativity, and the power of joy, collaboration, and grassroots kindness to transform lives and communities.Whether you’re interested in disability inclusion, nonprofit startups, city leadership, or just need a boost of positivity, this episode is packed with authentic stories, practical ideas for action, and hope for a more welcoming world.Timecodes:00:00 – Meaningful Work: Employment for People with Disabilities 01:15 – Meet Erin Lyon: From Law & Finance to Coffee & Community 04:52 – Career Pivots & The Journey to Jumpin Java 09:18 – The B Café Model: Workforce Training that Changes Lives 13:01 – Growing a Movement: Replicable Nonprofit Cafés 18:14 – The Joy & Social Impact of Inclusive Spaces 21:10 – Facing Opposition & Choosing Positivity 28:00 – Community Rallies: The Power of Paying it Forward 29:10 – Serving Grand Haven: City Council, Housing, Transit, & More 36:00 – Why Affordable Housing Matters Locally 38:44 – Bringing Compassion & Collaboration to Civic Leadership 40:17 – How YOU Can Get Involved & Make a Difference Links: Kinsey’s Café – https://www.kinseyscafegf.com/ Connect with Grand Haven City Council – https://www.grandhaven.org B Café Model Info – https://thebcafe.org/Join us for a heartwarming, honest conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the practical ways we can all help build a more inclusive, joyful community.#disabilityinclusion #community #nonprofit #positivity #grandhaven #citycouncil #employment #housing #kindnessLike, subscribe, and share to support more inspiring conversations!