Benefit Corporation Blog Series – The Walker Group
Ojala Naeem • March 28, 2014
Next in our series of Social Enterprise Stories we feature Jessica Rich who is the Director of Operations & Employee Services at The Walker Group. The Walker Group provides professional IT services, including cloud hosting, security and disaster planning, web and interactive services, and technology advisory services. In this interview, we take a look at how The Walker Group became a social enterprise and has encouraged social entrepreneurship in Connecticut.
Why are you operating in Connecticut?
Our founder and CEO, Kate Emery, grew up here in Farmington and as the fourth generation of her family to reside here feels a great connection to the community. The foundation of what would become The Walker Group has been growing and evolving for the last 30 years, yet our focus has remained centered around combining the desire to create a best-in-class IT services firm with the desire to promote social good. We recognize the growing business potential in the state of Connecticut and, by leveraging our strong foundation, longevity, and reputation, we’re confident that we’ll continue to be successful in accomplishing these goals.
Why did you decide to start a Social Enterprise?
Giving back has always been embedded in the culture at Walker, therefore integrating that concept as an official component of our business model seemed like a natural progression. As we started to formalize our existence as a Social Enterprise, we began to consider how our business practices could positively impact future generations and promote sustainability. Defining ourselves as a Social Enterprise also helps us to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. It reinforces our mission with our employees, clients, and other stakeholders in that we operate not only to generate profit but to invoke social good, and contribute to solving problems faced by people and planet. From this perspective, it is a win-win for all of our stakeholders. Lastly, the social enterprise model greatly influences our hiring process and allows us to attract talented individuals who share our values and commitment to social good.
What is the community you’re trying to have an impact in?
We are committed to helping Connecticut become a hub of Social Enterprise and a model for other states to emulate. While we support a number of local initiatives, our primary commitment is to support reSET(Social Enterprise Trust) through financial contributions and a highly collaborative partnership. reSET, in turn, works to promote, preserve, and protect the social enterprise model through a variety of programs for social entrepreneurs. Together, we work to give social entrepreneurs the resources and guidance to succeed with this business model and lead by example in the CT marketplace.
How do you/will you achieve that impact?
With our support, reSET has grown from a 1 person organization operating here in Walker’s office, to a fully staffed business operating completely independently at 99 Pratt Street in Hartford. Beyond our success with reSET, we are constantly seeking ways to have an impact on our own community through community service initiatives led by our internal Action Team, and strategic sponsorships and donations to organizations that make the largest social impact here in CT. As a company, we incorporate social impact into our strategic plan and design standards for how our company and the individuals among it, will give back. Our staff receives 2 paid days a year to volunteer at organizations that are meaningful to them and we organize several large initiatives each year where we unite as a team for a common purpose.
How do you balance purpose and profit?
Finding this balance can sometimes be a challenge but we recognize that a true social enterprise maintains their commitment to both purpose and profit in equal parts. Most companies are steadfast in their commitment to profits but supporting the community only comes when it is financially convenient. Walker maintains these commitments equally and remains dedicated to our social commitment regardless of profitability at any given time. Because our employees are working towards a bigger cause, we find that they are more invested in the success of the company. This translates in their performance and leads to more satisfied clients and ultimately, more business.
What have been your biggest challenges thus far?
Our biggest challenge was the official transition to a Social Enterprise model, which occurred in 2007. With the rapidly declining economy, this shift presented many challenges but also phenomenal opportunity to experience how a social enterprise functions when economic factors aren’t working in your favor. We had to be far more strategic in how we balanced profitability with our mission and it forced us to examine the process much more carefully than we would have in a better economy. It’s also been difficult to pinpoint the most effective way to educate employees, potential employees and the business community on what social enterprise really is, how it affects our business, and the impact on our stakeholders.
What is the most rewarding thing to you about operating a social enterprise?
Knowing that there’s an overarching purpose for doing what we do every day is empowering. Every decision we make not only impacts us as individuals or an organization, but the community at large. Our success reaches beyond our bottom line and will positively influence future generations beyond anything we could accomplish in a conventional business model.
Why do you want to incorporate as a benefit corporation?
For us, becoming a benefit corporation is a formal declaration that we are building a different kind of business. It sends a message to our employees, our clients and our community that we are committed to social good. Additionally, it provides us access to the resources necessary to further develop our contributions in the local community.
Program Supports Early-Stage Retail Businesses with $7,000 in Grants Hartford, CT – Tuesday, September 29, 2026 – Reset, the Connecticut-based entrepreneurial support organization committed to advancing impact-driven businesses, is proud to introduce the ten businesses participating in the sixth cohort of the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator this fall. The program equips local founders with the tools to launch, grow, and thrive in today's retail landscape. Thanks to support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, each business completing the program will receive a $700 grant to support their business. Save the date: Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time The Incubator will culminate in the Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time graduation and pop-up market event on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:30-8:00pm at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where the community can meet these entrepreneurs and experience their products firsthand. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/retail26 with the early bird discount of $5 off tickets purchased before November 1. "This cohort is building businesses that infuse care, heritage, and artistry into every product they make, and we’re excited to develop strong local businesses that invest right back into our communities," said Sarah Blecher, Executive Director of Reset. "This group brings the total number of retail businesses supported through the Retail Incubator to 73 since its launch in 2021." "From Puerto Rican pastries to block prints about collective liberation, this cohort shows how many different paths lead to a meaningful retail business," said Ndubisi Okeke, Reset Program Manager. "Our Retail Incubator gets them ready for holiday sales and sustainable operations well beyond this season, building businesses with impact." Comprehensive Support for Connecticut Entrepreneurs The Retail Incubator reflects Reset's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are building businesses that create positive community impact. During the 12-week program, participants access experienced mentors, legal and financial support, peer networks, and real-world opportunities to test and refine their business models. The $700 small business grant at the conclusion of the incubator provides additional support to grow their businesses. The Ten Businesses in This Year's Floor–Plan Retail Incubator: Assiah Tea & Wellness , founded by Margo Jones, offers premium loose-leaf teas, handcrafted herbal blends, and curated tea services, combining hospitality, education, and wellness to encourage connection and intentional self-care. Asabodi, created by Melissa Carrasco, is a growing small business offering vegan and plant based skincare products like turmeric sugar scrub, body butters, lotions, African black liquid soap, and scalp stimulator. Dream Fleurs , founded by accessory and web designer Maureen Connelly, is a lifestyle accessory brand inspired by flowers, travel, and historic gardens around the world. Granny's Doggie Treats , is a growing small business created by Claudia Cupe, specializing in quality, homemade dog and cat treats crafted to provide pet parents with wholesome, flavorful options while promoting responsible pet care and supporting the special bond between pets and their families. L&M Desserts , led by owner and head baker Anaïs Esther Nuñez, is a family-operated business bringing authentic Puerto Rican desserts to families, events, and catering clients across Connecticut. NUR the Label , founded by Yasmin Laila, is a contemporary fashion brand reimagining the kaftan through a modern lens, honoring African and Middle Eastern dress traditions with pieces designed for celebrations and everyday expression. Pajareando Press , created by artist, educator, and community organizer Elida Paiz Pineda, creates one-of-a-kind block prints, illustrations, and craft works exploring social justice, collective liberation, and radical joy. Ruby Sampson , founded by Ashley Powdar in 2016 in honor of her grandmother, is an artisan-powered brand based in the U.S. and Guyana that creates silk-lined hair accessories, head wraps, and apparel on a mission to close the grooming gap for natural hair textures. Trinkky Trinkks , founded by performer and choreographer Cristal Coleman, is a specialty gift boutique offering handcrafted jewelry alongside curated handbags, accessories, and unexpected finds, built as a pathway toward generational wealth. Wábi Arts , founded by photographer and arts advocate Kim Weston, is a developing gallery and teaching space in downtown New Haven featuring Connecticut-based and emerging artists and home to the FOCUS Fellowship, a teen photography mentorship program. About the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator Now in its sixth year, it is part of a suite of retail opportunities from Reset and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community activation studio. Reset’s three-month incubator provides entrepreneurial technical support to early-stage retail businesses, helping participants understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, and prepare for new market opportunities. Entrepreneurs gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. Through the Floor–Plan partnership, entrepreneurs can access additional market outlets and retail opportunities through Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. About Reset Founded in 2007, Reset is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, Reset acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. Reset specializes in social enterprise, meaning impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines, and provides coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, Reset and Collab have assisted over 700 small businesses to start and grow with impact, and reached thousands more through low-touch supports. Visit resetco.org to learn more. # # #
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