Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

La Toya Barrington (Olson) was motivated to start her own business due to a combination of personal and practical reasons. As a single parent, she needed extra income to support her family and provide for her three children. Traditional jobs with rigid hours were not an option because affordable childcare for three kids was unattainable. This necessity for flexible hours led her to explore entrepreneurial opportunities that would allow her to balance work and family responsibilities effectively. Beyond the financial and logistical motivations, La Toya was driven by a desire to set a powerful example for her children. She wanted to teach them the values of hard work, perseverance, and resilience. By building a successful business from the ground up, she aimed to show her children that it is possible to overcome life's challenges and achieve your goals through determination and effort. La Toya's passion for helping others was another significant factor in her decision to start Go2Girl Services Inc. She has always been dedicated to making a positive impact in her community, and her business provided a platform to extend that commitment. Through her company, she has been able to offer support to those in need, advocate for important social issues, and contribute to the well-being of her community. These motivations—financial necessity, the need for flexible working hours, the desire to set a strong example for her children, and her passion for helping others—combined to inspire La Toya to establish Go2Girl Services Inc., a business that has since grown into a vital community asset.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

The community rallies behind and supports La Toya and Go2Girl Services in numerous impactful ways. When La Toya initiated a campaign to create bursaries for Black single mothers, her initial goal was to fund two bursaries. However, the community's overwhelming support enabled her to raise enough money for four bursaries, significantly aiding four women in pursuing their education. La Toya often extends her generosity by offering her cleaning services for free to individuals facing personal struggles, such as those dealing with severe health issues or other life challenges. Additionally, she frequently donates to local elementary schools to help build new playgrounds, enhancing the community's facilities for children and creating safer, more enjoyable environments for students. La Toya has also created various groups on social media to assist with food resources and community support. One such group, Richmond Gives, focuses on connecting community members with resources and support, fostering a spirit of generosity and mutual aid within the community. In return, the community consistently supports La Toya by nominating her for various prestigious awards. Over the years, she has been recognized with nominations for Best Youth Entrepreneur, Best Woman-Owned Business, and Best Small Business. Go2Girl Services has also received multiple first-place awards for cleaning, showcasing the community's appreciation and recognition of La Toya's dedication and impact. These accolades reflect the deep bond between La Toya and the community, highlighting a mutual commitment to growth, support, and excellence.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

Go2Girl Services Inc. deserves the Business Impact Award for its significant community, employee, and industry impact. Founded by La Toya Barrington (Olson) in 2012, Go2Girl has grown into a vital community asset, demonstrating resilience, innovation, and excellence. La Toya's journey from a single mom on social assistance to a thriving business leader showcases determination and community support. This loyalty is evident in the strong relationships La Toya has built and the numerous accolades Go2Girl has received. La Toya advocates for mental health and domestic violence awareness, focusing on men's mental health and supporting women facing domestic abuse. Her efforts raise awareness and provide crucial support to these vulnerable groups. Go2Girl offers an inclusive work environment, providing equal employment opportunities and free English lessons. La Toya ensures her team earns a living wage, fostering a motivated workforce. La Toya's leadership creates an environment where employees feel guided and empowered. Core values such as integrity, respect, fairness, and accountability are central to Go2Girl's culture. Go2Girl is committed to personal and professional development, offering training programs, mentorship, and career advancement paths. Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work, the company regularly acknowledges outstanding performance, motivating employees and reinforcing a culture of excellence. La Toya encourages her team to build strong client relationships, often going beyond the scope of work to attend to additional needs, especially for senior clients. This dedication strengthens client relationships and fosters a sense of community. Go2Girl Services Inc. exemplifies what it means to be a business that makes a significant impact. Through La Toya Barrington's leadership, the company has transformed lives, supported the community, and set a high standard for others. Their dedication to advocacy, employee well-being, and community involvement makes them a deserving recipient of the Business Impact Award.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

Go2Girl Services Inc. is a great business to work for due to its inclusive, supportive, and growth-oriented environment. Founded in 2012 by La Toya Barrington (Olson), Go2Girl offers equal opportunities for employment and advancement, regardless of language skills. Many employees speak very little English, yet Go2Girl provides them with equal chances to grow and succeed, ensuring a diverse workforce. Understanding the importance of communication, Go2Girl offers free English lessons to its employees. This improves language skills, boosts confidence, and enhances job performance. By investing in language development, Go2Girl ensures all employees can thrive. Go2Girl Services maintains a healthy work-life balance, providing flexible hours and supportive policies. This balance is crucial for employee well-being and job satisfaction. La Toya encourages the team to build relationships with clients, often going beyond the scope of work to attend to additional needs, especially for senior clients who may need extra support. This dedication strengthens client relationships and fosters a sense of community. Go2Girl is committed to personal and professional development. The company offers training programs, mentorship, and clear career paths. By investing in employees' growth, Go2Girl enhances skills and fosters loyalty and long-term commitment. Core values such as integrity, respect, fairness, and accountability are central to Go2Girl's culture. These values create a trustworthy environment where employees feel respected. Upholding high ethical standards ensures fairness and integrity. The leadership at Go2Girl is strong, supportive, and visionary. La Toya Barrington's inspiring and approachable style creates an environment where employees feel guided and empowered. This leadership is key to the company's success and employee satisfaction. Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work is vital to Go2Girl. The company regularly acknowledges outstanding performance, offering bonuses and other forms of recognition. This motivates employees and reinforces a culture of excellence. Go2Girl Services Inc. values inclusivity, employee growth, and ethical standards. By providing equal opportunities, supporting language development, ensuring work-life balance, and investing in growth, Go2Girl creates a nurturing environment. Strong leadership, regular recognition, enhance job satisfaction and loyalty, makes Go2Girl a great business to work for

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

Go2Girl Services has a truly inspiring origin story. Founded by La Toya Barrington (Olson) in 2012, Go2Girl started from humble beginnings. La Toya transitioned from being in a relationship and running a successful daycare to becoming a single mom, forced to go on social assistance. Determined to create a better life for her children, she began running errands and taking on any job she could find, earning the nickname "Go-To-Girl" in her city. Through sheer determination and hard work, she transformed her efforts into a successful corporation, now providing employment opportunities for others. La Toya is a passionate advocate for mental health and domestic violence awareness, focusing on often-overlooked issues such as men's mental health and men experiencing domestic violence. At Go2Girl Services, employees are more than just workers; they are family. La Toya ensures her employees earn a living wage, recognizing that a satisfied and well-compensated team is crucial to delivering the high-quality service that Go2Girl is known for. This commitment not only enhances the quality of life for her employees but also fosters a positive and motivated workforce. La Toya’s community involvement goes beyond business operations. She is always ready to lend a hand, participating in local events, supporting community projects, and offering help to those in need. Her dedication to the community is reflected in the strong relationships she has built and the loyal customer base that continues to support Go2Girl Services. Because of La Toya's leadership in her community and passion for helping others, she has been awarded Best Woman Owned Business, Best Small Business, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and various first-place awards for Best Home Cleaners. Go2Girl Services exemplifies what it means to be a community-focused business. La Toya's advocacy for mental health and domestic violence awareness, commitment to employee well-being, and active community involvement create a business that provides excellent services and makes a meaningful impact on many lives. This dedication and unwavering support from the community make Go2Girl Services a deserving recipient of the Premier’s People’s Choice Award.