Owning a Friendswood business not only allows Caldwell to be closer to her children but also gives her the opportunity to get to know customers in the community to hear feedback. Caldwell said she thinks of specific customers when she is at the market looking for new items to carry at The Funky Monkey.

“I love having a store here,” she said. “We’re close to everything that’s going on, so I’m able to hear what people are saying locally and what they want us to bring in.”

Transition Center

As a former school administrator, Caldwell said she has an affinity for education. To continue helping children in the city, Caldwell partners with Friendswood ISD to participate in a workforce training program for special-needs students.

The Transition Center allows special-needs students ages 18 to 22 who have completed high school requirements to work at small local businesses to prepare them for the general workforce. Caldwell said she meets with teachers and the program director to form a list of duties suited for the students.

Caldwell said the training program has helped some participants find jobs elsewhere.

“The more the community can find out about [the Transition Center], the better the program does, the better the community does and the better the businesses do,” she said.

607 S. Friendswood Drive, Ste. 27, Friendswood 281-996-5007 • thefunkymonkeyfriendswood.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.