Avon Business Backstory: Rainbow Adoptions International

Business: Rainbow Adoptions International
Owners: Dr. Lori Snow
Website: www.rainbowadoptions.org
Address: 29 W. Main St., Suite 101, Avon

Briefly, what business are you in?

Our adoption agency focuses on helping families to adopt newborn babies within the U.S., toddlers and older children internationally, and all kinds of children from across the U.S. who currently reside in the U.S. foster care system.

How did you come up with the name?

I wanted the rainbow to represent children and families of all colors, and I want the symbol of the rainbow to give people hope at the end of a long quest toward building their family.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

I loved the building, location, and easy parking for my clients. I live in Canton with my four adopted children, so I would love to attract more Farmington Valley families to adopt children!

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Several years ago, the U.S. decided to stop allowing adoptions from Guatemala, and that was a primary international adoption program for my agency. The ceasing of adoptions between the U.S. and Guatemala was immediate and left so many families and children in limbo. It was a challenge to diversify my education and services to include more domestic adoptions.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

As a non-profit organization, money is always tight. When I see how much money that clinical psychologists make in traditional careers as psychotherapists, I pause now and again to think about the path I have chosen to work for a non-profit agency. However, I truly believe that I am uniquely qualified to work with adoptive parents and help them navigate the turbulence of adoption, so that pause to reflect on my professional direction only lasts a few minutes!

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

I treasured my many trips to the orphanages in Guatemala, doing developmental assessments on the babies and children, and making connections with so many people in that country. I am proud of the fact that I got to see every single child while he or she was still in the Guatemalan orphanage before that child came home to parents in the U.S. I am also filled with pride when I run into adoptive families in and around Connecticut, seeing the children I have helped bring into their families and witnessing their ongoing happiness.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

I like the tide we are riding to help families adopt children across state lines from the U.S. foster care system. Not too many private adoption agencies are providing this service, and we do it in a personalized way that involves the parents every step of the way in identifying a specific child.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

I try to be sensitive but firm. Adoption is filled with emotions, and I need to try to recognize what is really going on for that person. If they are challenging or being critical of me or my agency, what is at the root?

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

Rainbow Adoptions is a member of the Avon Chamber of Commerce, and we try to volunteer for some community projects each year. We have participated in the Chamber-sponsored Blood Drive at the Carmon Funeral Home in Avon, and the annual Salvation Army Holiday Giving event at Avon Old Farms Hotel.

My agency has also provided several free informational sessions at different libraries around Farmington Valley trying to educate the public about adoptions, both domestic and international.

Our most recent informational session was entitled “Adoption Myth Busting”, since there are just so many false beliefs about how long it takes to adopt or what restrictions there are for adopting families. Even if people do not utilize my services, I want to bust some myths and help people rethink about adopting!!

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