An example of successful small business ownership, written by Kate Duffy is quoted below. Note the similarity to Griffin Hammis’ Customized Employment approach: Specialisterne: leveraging the unique skills of Autistics at competitive market terms - #65 by Visionary7903 . Here the non-verbal Joe got help from his parents, while his strengths are being utilised by making sure that he is in a business that he is truly passionate about…
A couple of weekends ago, I visited Poppin Joe’s Kettle Corn at the Overland Park Farmer’s Market, a prime example of small business ownership being the way to go for people on the spectrum.
Now an entrepreneur, Joe … who has autism and is nonverbal, was encouraged by his school district to live in a group home and work in a sheltered workshop. However, Joe is now thriving, making popcorn at Poppin’ Joe’s.
…With his parents Ray and Janet, Joe started his kettle corn business several years ago. Since then, the business has received a lot of publicity, both locally and nationally, for Joe has both Down’s Syndrome and autism - and there he is working his business and living in his own house in Louisburg, KS.
Joe didn’t just land in this business, though. His parents learned how to write a business plan through Kansas City’s First Step Fund, a business training program that works with individuals with disabilities and those with low to moderate income. They built the business, piece by piece, with the help from Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security Administration and other government programs that support employment for people with disabilities.
The parents are slowly trying to move out of the business by hiring a manager to help Joe, who is nonverbal, run his business. Since starting the business, Ray and Janet have seen a lot of growth in their son. Even though he is nonverbal, Joe still can sell his popcorn to customers as well as make the popcorn at the family’s farm just outside Louisburg.Joe is successful at his business because of his parents’ hard work, but also because they carefully helped Joe pick a business that he would love. That may sound odd, but for people with autism who tend to fixate on subjects, having the right occupation is critical. They tried a couple of other businesses with Joe, but this is the one that Joe fell in love with.
…Ask your school to offer small business education because it could be just the thing your son or daughter needs to grow into independence.
(source: Poppin Joe’s )