A new Springfield-based, diversity-focused app provides information and resources on 370 local businesses, organizations and individuals from underrepresented communities.
Duan and Michelle Gavel, of Springfield, took the next step in helping promote diversity in Springfield by launching the app All Things Diverse SGF, building off of a similar initiative from 2020, All Things Black SGF.
In the early days of the pandemic, amid lockdowns and layoffs, businesses, especially small businesses, faced an uncertain future.
In many ways, the pandemic shined a light on the disparities and inequalities that underrepresented groups face, from the impact of COVID-19 itself to the results of economic woes and restrictions on Black-owned businesses.
While the push to support minority-owned businesses was nothing new, the pandemic turned it into a movement, eventually leading to a post-lockdown boom in entrepreneurship in minority communities.
As national and local resources and databases for finding minority-owned businesses were established, the Gavels wanted their city to be a part of the movement, too. That’s when they built the website All Things Black SGF.
New app illuminates diversity, accessibility in Springfield
In 2022, they became aware that the need for a “one-stop-shop” in Springfield expanded beyond just the Black community, but all underrepresented communities, leading them to create the app All Things Diverse SGF.
“We talked to communities and several community leaders, and we knew there was a need for All Things Black SGF,” Duan said. “But talking to these community leaders and these professionals, we saw a need for growth of all diversity in Springfield, not just the black community.”
Beyond the need to grow diversity in Springfield, the ideas behind both All Things Black SGF and All Things Diverse SGF were rooted in accessibility. Michelle, a native of Chicago, noticed the problems in the lack of knowledge of diversity and minority-owned businesses when she came to Springfield to go to college at Missouri State University.
She found herself loading up on a variety of hair and other personal products during her returns to Chicago, because she wasn’t aware if and where those would be available in Springfield.
“Fast forward to 2020, we're seeing that people are still asking that same question,” Michelle said. “It seems to be a running theme across cultures, across identities, ‘where can I find a Latino market, where can I find the spices and seasoning and things that I use?’”
All Things Diverse SGF is available on both the Google Play and App Store, and more information can be found on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
All Things Diverse SGF is a tool for shoppers and businesses alike
All Things Diverse SGF is more than a list of minority-owned businesses in Springfield, but a resource for those businesses to grow and integrate into the community.
“All Things Diverse SGF showcases the rich diversity here in Springfield,” the ‘About’ page reads. “Our mission is to build and grow the community of Springfield by connecting them to businesses, professionals, resources, and organizations from diverse backgrounds.”
Upon opening the app, the ‘Home’ page is filled with several categories and subcategories providing information and links to 370 businesses and organizations across Springfield, at no charge to them. It contains everything from financial services to health professionals to bakeries to student organizations, and much more.
Listed businesses and organizations have the option to submit a bio and description about their products and services. Additionally, there’s also a page where they can advertise upcoming events.
Duan compiled the list from a mixture of both research he’s done on minority-owned businesses in Springfield and requests from business owners and supporters to make an addition.
While the app provides a user-friendly interface for those who want to support diverse businesses and organizations, the company itself provides more than that.
“Not only are we a directory for those businesses, we're kind of changing into a business consultant type role,” Duan said. “We're noticing that these small businesses that are diverse and underrepresented are needing a lot of help. They're needing help with their business and marketing plans. They're needing help with websites and mobile apps.”
With his education and experience as a business analyst and software developer for City Utilities, where Duan has worked for the past 15 years in various roles, he has been able to offer advice and insight to help them grow and overcome challenges unique to small and minority-owned businesses.
Gavels looking to grow company, impact in — and on — the community
Having officially started All Things Diverse SGF in July, they have reached nearly 3,000 social media followers between Facebook and Instagram, and are nearing the 1,000 mark in app downloads.
Additionally, Duan said they are having conversations with some of their listed businesses and organizations about forming sponsorships to help grow their reach and financial capabilities. He also encourages them to promote All Things Diverse SGF, which he believes will, in turn, promote diversity in Springfield.
As an example, Duan pointed out a display promoting his app at the Multicultural Resource Center as a result of his partnership with Missouri State University.
In a sense, Duan considers all of the businesses, individuals and organizations on the app “mini partners,” and hopes they see the same way and the benefits All Things Diverse SGF could have for them and the community.
Their biggest promotion of the app came between July and October, and Duan admitted growth has since tapered off.
“But I think we're building up our momentum for 2023,” Duan said. “We're gonna make another push.”
In addition to All Things Diverse SGF growing awareness of the diversity that’s already in Springfield, they’re hoping it can be used as a recruitment tool for employers, colleges and the city itself.
“Once you come here, you're getting plugged in quicker,” Duan said. “You're finding those resources that you need, and then you're getting plugged into the community, and you're more likely to stay so it can be a great tool for recruitment and retention.”
“I would like to see it be used as a resource for bringing diversity into Springfield,” Michelle said. “Having diverse candidates that a company might recruit, and say ‘we want you in Springfield, we have a place for you.’”
In addition to All Things Diverse SGF, Michelle is also working to foster diversity in Springfield Public Schools’ Future Educators program as an equity and diversity workforce development coordinator.
Feedback, collaboration key to company’s growth
All Things Diverse SGF is part of a registered LLC, which Duan and Michelle operate as a parent company. Due in part to Duan’s experience in IT and software development, they’ve managed to get the app up and running with minimal overhead. The parent company’s main source of revenue lies in the other website and app building they do for clients.
Duan acknowledged it is possible to add more revenue streams from All Things Diverse SGF by expanding the consulting side of things and adding sponsorships, but his ultimate goal is to help diverse businesses in the community.
They were tired of watching their friends come and go because they never felt at home in Springfield, and wanted to give underrepresented citizens a reason to stay (and move here).
“We get enjoyment working with these small business owners and our big picture of getting more diversity, and a stronger diverse foundation in Springfield,” he said.
“We have a vibrant, thriving community that’s growing,” Michelle said. “You can get authentic experiences, authentic food, authentic everything here at Springfield, you just have to know where to find it.”
Duan encourages users to give feedback and provide any ideas that they could use to further their objectives.
“I want organizations and businesses to look at us like a resource and use us,” Duan said. “If you have suggestions of ways we can better our application, or if there's information that you would like us to push through the application, or there's things that you're seeing that might help our user base, let us know. We're an open channel of communication.”
Editor’s Note: Duan Gavel is a member of the Hauxeda’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Panel.
