The name of the business came to Denise after a chance meeting with a couple in Tulsa. The couple told her they had a cleaning lady for five years but she found out the couple was gay and she quit. "I cried for them," said Denise.
The company, Rainbow Shine, is a personal brand for Denise. Her son is gay and she has watched as he and some of his friends have had to endure different prejudices or unequal treatment. She said she hopes her business can change that behavior, "for everyone, not just the gay community," said Denise.
The brand and the purpose of the business has not come without setbacks, admits Denise. "Some people might turn away because it is called Rainbow Shine and that's fine with me. I hope not, I want to serve everyone in the Oklahoma community but if not, that's okay with me."
Denise joined Tulsa's Equality Business Alliance after she opened the cleaning company. Denise cleans the Tulsa Equality Center three times a week. Director for Oklahomans for Equality, Toby Jenkins, said the business and work that Denise has created is invaluable to the community.
"If you can have an individual whose responsibility is to clean up everybody's mess and yet, they still believe strongly in the mission. We are lucky to have her," Jenkins said.
Beyond the cleaning supplies, Denise said this is her way to show that a business stands for something bigger; a message of acceptance.
Denise said, "It's important, its so important to me to get the word out there that everyone should be treated equally."
