LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Lexington’s DV8 Kitchen has been profiled by the New York Times and NBC News for the life-changing opportunities they create for their employees. Now, they’re passing on their tips for success to other business owners.
From the dough they knead to the coffee they brew, everything at DV8 Kitchen is part of a coveted second chance. Since opening their doors in 2017, they’ve focused on hiring recovering addicts to help them point their lives in a different direction.
Their strategy benefits not only the employees but the business itself.
“It’s producing results that are unbelievable we have lower than 70% turnover, we also have tenure that’s at 9 months,” said owner Rob Perez. “It proves that folks who might not be hired by someone else have an unbelievable capacity for excellence.”
Perez is now passing his knowledge to other business owners as part of their second-ever Soulfull Enterprise Workshop. The event was open to any kind of business looking to adopt a second chance program.
“Any organization for-profit, nonprofit, any foundation would really benefit from this, because it really takes people through the story but also the tactics and the strategies to really attack the issues, the social impact you’re trying to make,” said Perez.
The 11 businesses participating come from across the country and all of them are hoping to gain skills to help those wanting to deviate to a life of hope.
“This is our effort to make sure every business hires at least one person in second chance,” said Perez.
The current workshop is already underway, but they plan to do one every quarter with the next one in October. You can learn more about the Soulfull Enterprise Workshop here.
If you eat at DV8 Kitchen Tuesday night from 5-9 p.m., 25% of proceeds go to the Alano Club for interior renovations.
