Innovation

All Colors is setting the standard for how a small business should be run in their community and around the world. Their passion is to not just make great products but also strive for a better community. Gayle has raised her family in Highland Park; her drive comes from her desire to better the community she loves for future generations, and her company culture is founded on these same family values. She has created an atmosphere of appreciation and positivity that has minimized turnover and provided an environment where employees are well paid, very happy, productive, motivated, and invested. Steve and Gayle choose their team members carefully: “When I worked in a corporation, if you wanted to hire someone, you would give the guidelines and HR would find people.... When you own a business, there’s much more involved,” said Gayle. “We think of each other as part of a family, and so people are working here doing many different jobs, which is part of our approach to sustainability.”

The company's demographics reflect the community they live in, with 50 percent women. The company is a fantastic example for women at home and abroad, with Gayle at the helm and as a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

The company offers 25 percent of its profit back to Highland Park High School in the form of donations and also offers special pricing for non-profit clients. Their main customer is their community, which they serve to the fullest. By focusing on people and being progressive in that manner, they can achieve so much in promoting gender equality and community sustainability, reducing inequalities in the workplace, and promoting economic growth.

Inspiration

All Colors is inspired by people, whether their employees or their hometowns. Gayle’s constant desire to give back to her community and promote family values inspires her corporate culture and workplace decisions. Her work in politics continues to this day, as she runs for her third term as mayor of Highland Park. She will continue her programs to further the cause of sustainability in her city, help the elderly, make sure children have lunches on days school is not in session, and promote the development of her downtown and local businesses. She insists that local businesses employ more local New Jerseyans than large corporations moving in, and she is working to make sure they are supported, so those businesses can support their employees for a happy and healthy community.

Overall impact

“We run mean and lean!” said Gayle Mittler. Incentives help bring in sales; the company offers employees 25 percent of the profit for any job they bring in. Gayle and Steve also carefully choose local partners for production, aiding local business and industry in order to strengthen New Jersey. All Colors has also established a great presence in their community and local schools including Rutgers. They are a reliable vendor for their neighbors and continue to maintain that reputation outside and inside the company.

The company's demographics also reflect the community they live in, with 50 percent women, and with Gayle at the helm, the company is a fantastic example for women at home and abroad. The company also makes itself visible as a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

All employees live and work in Highland Park or the surrounding areas and are very happy at work. Steve, the manager, and his mother, Gayle, are very careful in selecting their team and grateful for the people they have. The employees are invested in growing the business because they feel they are a large part of it. This improved morale results in greater productivity and a very low turnover rate.

The company impacts the community by focusing on people, being progressive, pushing for gender equality and community sustainability, reducing inequalities in the workplace, and promoting economic growth.

Business benefit

The business has benefited through increased profits year after year and minimal turnover. Treating employees well and keeping them happy, keeping the company's core values as the basis of their decision-making, and helping the community and local businesses have paid off for All Colors, with profits increasing at a high rate year after year. Although All Colors does not take many out-of-state and big-corporation jobs, they are still able to maintain steady growth. Their ability to stay true to themselves has led to prosperity against all odds. They recently started moving their headquarters and factories to accommodate their growth and expansion.

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Social and environmental benefit

“We, as small business owners, employ more New Jerseyans than the big corporations do, but we’re overlooked! We need a stronger lobby!”

- Gayle Mittler

The network of local partners and businesses that All Colors has are grateful for the business brought in. All Colors is also very willing to work with their community members, especially fellow small businesses. All Colors is very strict on working within New Jersey and keeping the economic flow within the state. The company not only ensures that their community and customers are happy, but also makes sure their employees and families are happy. All Colors aids public high schools with special pricing and a donation program and minimizes the use of paper in their office environment. The company is also very involved with local colleges and universities, providing many services for their events and clubs, including “Rutgers Day.” All Colors is on top of making sure their gender and racial equality policies are progressive and consistent, and that they reward their employees based on their strong work ethic and merit.

Interviews

Stephen Mittler, SVP Marketing

Gayle Mittler, CEO and Owner

Lindsay Lockwood, Marketing Promotions Manager