Santa Barbara female owned business highlights profit sharing on Equal Pay Day

Equal Pay Day was noted across the country on Tuesday calling attention to the gender pay gap.

It is a day to mark existing wage discrepancies between men and women in the workplace.

Claudia Cordova-Papa employs men and women at her company Aqua Skin and Nail Bar in Santa Barbara.

“For us, it doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman. It’s about equal opportunity,” Cordova-Papa said.

The company opened up in 2005. Since then, the business has grown and earned numerous accolades in the community.

Cordova-Papa also worked with Women’s Economic Venture’s (WEV) in Santa Barbara to enhance her company.

“As the business grew and had different needs, that’s when WEV, became involved and they gave us the loan for some furniture we needed,” Cordova-Papa said. “At the same time, they gave me the coaching right after the loan to be able to understand my financials.”

Cordova-Papa uses a pay plan for her service providers called profit sharing where everyone works as a team. If there is a profit at the end of the month, a percentage is shared with employees.

The entrepreneur said the profit share program is helping her service providers thrive.

“A great percentage of our employees own their home here in Santa Barbara which speaks volumes that they can thrive and survive where a lot of other people are having a challenge making ends meet,” Cordova-Papa said.

To learn more about Women’s Economic Ventures, click here.