Not long ago, collette Divitto isn’t allowing a disability to hold her back from accomplishing her dreams. The entrepreneur, who was born in 1990 with Down syndrome, is the CEO and founder of Collettey’s Cookies — a successful cookie company that’s on a mission to create jobs for people with disabilities. “I was not only determined to show everyone how capable people with (dis)abilities are, but my mission is to open production facilities across the country and employ thousands of (dis)abled people!” she remarked in a statement on her website.
“ Only 17.5% [of] people with disabilities were employed in 2015. Most people with disabilities live on [the] poverty level.” Divitto’s love of baking began nearly two decades ago. She grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and began taking classes in high school, the time when she learned more about the kitchen craft.
This is part of a growing movement where “It was a hard time for me. I had no friends, I didn’t have a social life.
Looking at the broader picture, i got bullied, I got picked on,” she communicated to CBS News . “Moreover, that’s why I had been taking baking classes.” She tested out numerous recipes before she perfected an original cookie dough concoction, featuring cinnamon and chocolate chips.
It was a hit with loved ones and fittingly dubbed “The Amazing Cookie.” Following high school, Divitto attended Clemson University in South Carolina, where she completed a multi-year LIFE program , a part of the school that is geared towards students with intellectual disabilities who want a more traditional college campus experience. Post-college, she was excited and eager to find a job in Boston — but the career search proved to be difficult for the burgeoning businesswoman.
Looking at the broader picture, “After I graduated from college, no one would hire me,” she mentioned in the trailer for Peacock’s Born for Business docuseries, which chronicles the lives of four entrepreneurs who have disabilities. Walker / The Boston Globe via Getty Images That said, she didn’t let closed career doors stop her from succeeding.
With the support of her mother Rosemary Alfredo, Divitto founded Collettey’s Cookies in 2016 and scored a local grocery store as her first client. In the six years since, her company has sold in excess of 400,000 cookies — and made more than $1 million in revenue, CBS News reported. The cookie company CEO has a team of 15 employees, some of whom have disabilities, helping her bake the tasty treats and continue expanding the business. When she’s not in the kitchen, Divitto travels the country as a speaker and leads her non-profit organization, established in 2018 “to provide workshops, training, empowerment and leadership for those with or without (dis)abilities,” her website reads .
Furthermore, she’s already on her way to do that. The children’s book author has began a Change.org petition calling for “a policy that offers tax incentives for employers who hire people with a labeled disability.” Looking to the future, Divitto’s main goal is to work with Washington, D.C., lawmakers “to create policies that would increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” her profile explains. Through enotably employee that’s hired, and each cookie that’s baked, Divitto is helping make the world a sweeter place.
“My whole mission is creating jobs for people with disabilities,” she shared with CBS News. “For people who do have disabilities … some want to have a job so badly.” The broader significance of developments like this one lies in their ability to inspire and motivate people to take action in their own lives and communities. Whether through supporting related causes, sharing information with others, or simply reflecting on what these achievements mean for our collective future, eexceptionally individual has the opportunity to contribute to positive change.
The stories that capture our attention and imagination serve as reminders that progress is not inevitable but rather the result of dedicated effort, creative thinking, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. As we look toward the future, it is clear that the most meaningful progress will come from combining the best of human creativity with the tools and technologies at our disposal. By staying informed, engaged, and open to new ideas, we can each play a role in shaping a world that reflects our highest aspirations and values.
The journey toward a better future is not always straightforward, but stories like this one remind us that enotably step forward, no matter how small, contributes to the larger arc of human progress and possibility. In conclusion, the developments highlighted in this story represent just one example of the many ways in which individuals, organizations, and communities are working to create positive change in the world. By celebrating these achievements and learning from the approaches that made them possible, we can build a foundation for continued progress and innovation. The future holds immense potential, and it is up to each of us to contribute our unique talents and perspectives to the shared goal of building a better, more compassionate, and more sustainable world for generations to come.
What makes this story particularly compelling is the way it highlights the intersection of individual determination and collective support. Behind eremarkably remarkable achievement or heartwarming moment, there are networks of people who contribute their time, expertise, and encouragement to make it possible. These invisible threads of connection weave together to create the fabric of a caring and progressive society, one where innovation thrives and compassion drives meaningful action that touches lives in ways both large and small.
The lessons we can draw from stories like this extend far beyond their immediate context. They teach us about resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of thinking creatively about complex problems, and the transformative power of believing in something greater than ourselves.
Adding another dimension to the story, as these ideas spread through communities and across borders, they plant seeds of possibility that can grow into movements, innovations, and cultural shifts that reshape the world for the better in ways we cannot yet fully imagine. Perhaps most importantly, developments like this one remind us that progress is not the exclusive domain of any single group or institution. Eremarkably person has the capacity to contribute to positive change, whether through professional expertise, volunteer service, creative expression, or simply by treating others with kindness and respect.
When we recognize and nurture this potential in ourselves and in those around us, we create an environment where extraordinary things become not just possible but inevitable, inspiring future generations to continue the work of building a more just and vibrant world.
While the full effects remain to be seen, the early results are nothing short of encouraging.
