Let's Support Disability Ran Business

From soaps to mugs to cookies to cards to bracelets

On this Small Business Saturday, let’s support businesses that either provide employment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or are owned and ran by a person with a disability.

If you are like me, or my own friends and family, I am sure you want to support and give back to individuals who are doing amazing things.

Keep reading as I introduce you to five businesses that are setting the bar and shining a light on the meaningful contributions that individuals with disabilities give to society.

Happy holidays all and thank you for being here and supporting these amazing businesses.

Alex the Artist

Alex Schlueter is a special young man who loves to create striking artwork and sharing his art with others. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at age 3, Alex has grown into a loving, fun and happy young man who has inspired his family, friends and the angels on this earth who have helped him on his journey through school, life-skills training – and art. Through his art and his loving personality, Alex is living proof that everyone is special, and everyone has wonderful things to contribute to our world.

Alex is selling holiday cards.

ThelmaLou Creations

ThelmaLou's mission is to create a business platform which would provide a stable learning environment of vocational training for adults with special needs across a variety of skills within the areas of graphic design, marketing, e-commerce, social communication, packaging, purchasing and more. Through our Empowered Prints Internship Program, our goal is to educate and systematically fade support to increase confidence and ultimately provide the opportunity for employment, financial freedom and independence.

Mugs, water bottles, t-shirts. That is Cooper’s signature and a photo he took of his favorite train!

The Spotlight Project

The Spotlight Project is inspired to create a stage for our members to display their creative talents to the world. We wish to give them the spotlight, give them a voice, and show society the greatness they can achieve.

Each individual we employ is at the forefront of our brand. Every member of our team has an intellectual or developmental disability, and a unique story to tell. We encourage you to join our mission to raise employment for such an influential population.

The best bracelets!

Carly’s Custom Cakes

I'm Carly Feins, owner and operator of Carly's Custom Cakes. I'm a Homestead bakery out of my residence in Bedford, New Hampshire, and I make customized cakes on order. I also do cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc. I discovered my passion for baking when I was 11 years old. As a neurodivergent woman, I understand how tough it is for other adults with similar diagnoses to get and keep fulfilling employment. I want to advocate for workers with these forms of diversity by showing people that we are hidden gemstone workers that are more than worth employing, and we deserve the same opportunities and respect as anyone else.

​Carly is selling cookies.

Trev’s Trades: Where Autism Meets Potential

Trevor Dealy is a sweet-natured, young man who is now in the artisanal soap business. Trevor is developmentally much younger than his years, has autism, and suffers from a range of medical conditions. It is fair to say that Trevor has his share of lemons in life, but instead of lemonade, he is making beautifully crafted small-batch soaps.

Trev is selling soap.