Success Stories

I am the owner of Blake’s Snow Shack in Sanger, Texas. Some may say that I am an example of a hardworking man that wanted to start my own business, but truly, I simply wanted to bring delicious snow to my community of Sanger.

My story starts in 1996, when my mom and dad, Billy and Mary Ann Pyron brought me into the world and soon thereafter we’re told I had Down syndrome. They were told often of all the things I “wouldn’t be able to do” or “couldn’t do”, but still they raised me with love, God and lots of perseverance. Soon they started to see all the things I “would do” and “could do” in the future. My childhood had its obstacle like anyone’s childhood, but I proved resilient with what my mom says is my infectious smile and heart of gold. In high school everyone knew I was going places. I was two-time captain of the Varsity football team, Prom King and Texas citizen of the year! However, little did anyone expect I’d bring snow to Sanger.

It was the Summer of 2015 and a very exciting time for my family as I was graduating high school. With that excitement was also nerves of “what’s next for Blake?” I was working at a local BBQ restaurant but they were closing, so I needed to find employment elsewhere. My family and I spent the summer researching options. We knew that I loved my customers and friends at the BBQ restaurant, so my family and I knew the business would need to be downtown Sanger for me to continue developing those relationships.

As you might expect, Texas is a very hot state and Texans love snow cones. So as a family, we did our homework and decided a snow cone stand was indeed a viable business for us. Since day one, I was thrilled. I picked out the concession trailer, presented my business plan to the City of Sanger, and haven’t looked back.

The grand opening of Blake’s Snow Shack was on Mother’s Day weekend 2016, and it was a success, with a crowd of more than 1000 people. Since then we’ve had numerous TV interviews and even had Blake’s Snow Shack logo on a NASCAR that ran this last month at Pocono. My small town business has been featured on international news, appeared in the Huffington Post, A&E Latinoamerica, Unworthy, Reddit and even on the Today Show Australia. And my business has been recognized by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and the US Senate.

This #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth, I want to thank my parents, Billy and Mary Ann Pyron for always believing in me and teaching me to believe in myself. Blake’s Snow Shack and my dream of bringing snow to Sanger couldn’t have happened without them. I love being Blake of Blake’s Snow Shack, a role that gives me the opportunity to bring a smile and some snow to all my customers and friends. Not to mention, I’m showing the world that those with Down Syndrome don’t just make great employees, but also successful business owners when given the chance.

My family and I want all self-advocates, like me, to have the opportunity to follow their entrepreneurship dreams, so in 2016 we established the NDSS #DSWORKS® Blake Pyron Entrepreneurship Scholarship.The scholarship will be awarded at the 2016 Buddy Walk® on Washington for a self-advocate to pursue their dreams and aspirations of starting their own business.

Thank you for reading my story and I hope it showed you that anything is possible— even snow in Sanger

Hello, my name is Tavrick. I am going to tell you about my many paid jobs and internships.

I have been paid as an extra in a movie and to model. I have also been paid to work in a production center to make windows for an aircraft company.

I had the opportunity to intern at a tattoo parlor, which is my dream job, and I have interned at a PT therapy clinic. I really liked my two bosses and my coworkers at both of my internships.

I am now in an internship program called Project Search, in this program, I rotate through 3 different internships set up for me by the program. I had to be tested to see if I could be trained to do the jobs. I was able to give them ideas of what type of jobs I was interested in trying out. They work with my Life Skills program to make sure I am prepared and I also have a job coach to help with my on the job training.

My first Project Search rotation was at my county’s Election Office, during our state and national elections – which was pretty exciting!

My second rotation was at a 717-bed hospital.

Now I intern at a science museum’s gift store.

You might wonder how I got the tattoo parlor job while still in middle school. Well, I told my mom about my interest and we just walked in and asked!! We were pretty amazed when the owner said “yes.” He was excited about working with me. My mom said it was just like in the movies and she could not believe it was actually happening. However, I would have to say that starting internships in middle school definitely prepared me for my later internships with Project Search.

All together my three Project Search rotations will take about a whole school year.

I enjoy learning new skills in new places that will help me get my dream job. But, honestly, my dream job changes.

I like music, arts and entertainment, so I would like to work in that area somehow. I would like to help set up for entertainment events. Right now I do a little of that by volunteering at a film festival and a living history museum. I volunteer whenever I can and started when I was young.

I also want to design T-shirts, and own a tattoo parlor, and write a book about musicians and…you see…I have a few too many dream jobs and every week I add more dream jobs! After all, I am still pretty young.

In all my jobs, I like the people I work with the most, I like that I am making a difference, and I love the food! My old tattoo parlor boss used to treat me to burgers and tacos. That was fine with me!

My advice is to have a good work attitude, do what your bosses and coaches ask you to do in a happy and cheerful manner, speak up if you are unhappy about something, are confused or need more information, and listen to your parent/guardian’s advice. Most importantly, do your work!

Matt Ransdell has been a dedicated volunteer in the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System for more than eight years. He loves working with the veterans and creates many smiles as he greets people with a wave and his trademark “thumbs-up.” He passes out lap robes, magazines and other items to patients and once a week plays balloon volleyball with them. Matt is an inspiration to many in his work that supports our nation’s heroes

Voya’s support of the special needs community is part of our diversity and inclusion strategy and who the company is — and employees view these efforts with pride. We believe a diverse workforce in which all viewpoints are heard and respected, ultimately makes a more effective organization, allowing us to better serve our customers. Voya has long partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society from a CR and Foundation perspective, and we were thrilled to be able to expand our relationship by offering an opportunity to Jamie through the organization.

Jamie, who started his role at Voya on March 19, 2018, has come to Voya with a “can do” attitude. He is hard-working and adds positivity to the different areas where he contributes. After Jamie had the opportunity to shadow our “Money In/Out” team that oversees much of our mail processing, we discovered how well these roles and responsibilities matched Jamie’s past experience, and we truly had a need for help in the department. Jamie acclimated to both the new assignment and the team effortlessly and his contributions helped to accomplish the team’s daily deliverables. It was a win/win for everyone!

Jamie is partnered with a job coach through New England Business Associates (NEBA). NEBA has provided Voya with educational tools to leverage so we can support Jamie to be both independent and successful in his role

Shane works full time at Anderson’s Pharmacy and Accents in Lawton, Oklahoma. What started out as a part-time job that would allow him some time away from Mom has turned into a full-time job that he goes to while his mother is at work. Some of his duties include wiping shelves, taking out the trash, shredding papers, helping put up medicine bottles, greeting customers, and helping run errands and make deliveries. He wakes up every day and is so excited to go to work and truly loves being a part of his work family! I am so proud of how hard he works and how accepted he is by our community!

My name is Minal Rosenblum. I am 18 years old and I am a Junior at Montclair High School in NJ. My interests are dance, acting, art, and hanging out with friends. Some years ago, I started creating handmade note-cards in my free time. I realized that when I am doing artwork, I don’t feel anxious.

One day, Ms. Wendy Lacey saw my note- cards and wanted to talk about them. She runs an amazing center called Cornerstone Montclair. This is an amazing place. Ms. Lacey believes in inclusion. She believes everyone can have a job when they have a disability. This place has an amazing store called The General Store. In this store, we are all included. Ms. Lacey asked me if I would sell my cards at The General Store. Now I do business there. Some of my note-cards designs are: watercolor flowers, decoupage, and marbled paper, which I have learned to make at the Montclair Art Museum.

My dream is to make notecards that make you happy and smile. Each card is an original design. I have my own business now. It is called True Colors Designs. Soon I will have my website. Meanwhile, if you are interested in buying my cards you can either buy them at The General Store at Cornerstone Montclair or email me at minal.rosenblum@gmail.com if you do not live close by.

I already told you some things about myself but there is one part which you don’t even know. I have a disability. It is Down syndrome. One thing I learned is that having a disability is normal. You should be proud of who you are. Maya Angelou said that every woman is a phenomenal woman. Her poem means that it doesn’t matter the way you look. All women are beautiful in their own way. Women have the POWER. I have a disability and nobody can mess with me

Hi my name is Kelley and I am 21. I graduated from Riverview High School in 2017. I then attended Suncoast Technical College in the ACT program (acquiring community and transition skills ). Through STC I gained work experience in retail, custodial work and as a volunteer at a hospital. I got a job at Rise Coffee Co. and Nye’s Cream shop. I love making coffee and meeting people. I love Rise and Nye’s Coffee shop because they hire people with special abilities like me!

My name is Gabriel Savage and I’ve had 2 jobs here in Washington

I have been hired as the first-ever self-advocate on staff for our local Down syndrome association, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Winston-Salem in Winston-Salem, NC. As a part-time administrative assistant, I will have a variety of responsibilities. So far, I have helped prepare lanyards and other materials for our upcoming Buddy Walk, put out yard signs, participated in a Buddy Walk planning meeting with the BW Committee, and attended a social for non-profit member agencies with our local community foundation. I also work at A Special Blend Coffee Shop in Greensboro, NC, as a Cafe Crew member and volunteer weekly at Senior Services in Winston-Salem as a greeter at the Intergenerational Center.

My sparkle life started with headbands. I’ve loved sparkles my whole life, especially disco balls and sapphires, my birthstone. Oh, and of course–diamonds!
I’ve always worn headbands. But, one day, when I was about eight or nine years old, a gem fell off the headband I was wearing. I really liked that headband, so I took my glue gun and fixed the gem back in place.

Suddenly, I saw the vision of my future. I decided to make my own headbands, and I would put sparkles on everything. I’ve been making my own headbands ever since. At first, I made the headbands as gifts for my friends and family. Then, I started selling them at events, like fabulous galas or fundraisers. Today, I’m selling my creations in stores and on my Esty shop, Sparkles by Maxine. I’ve also been featured on the news, which was so cool. I am not shy at all around cameras and have a good time posing and showing off my headbands.

Being the owner of Sparkles by Maxine is wonderful because I love seeing people wear my headbands and hair clips and be happy. Also, it’s good for people to see a lady boss. I love selling my headbands because when you sparkle, you feel fun. You can let go in your mind and just be happy. So, I love to see people sparkle because I love to see them happy. Learn more here: www.etsy.com/shop/SparklesByMaxine

I run Sweet Jordan’s, it’s a Bakery, Ice Cream and Coffee Shop and it’s probably like nothing you’ve ever seen before, because most employees are just like me…special. We all have something to contribute to society and our lives have value and meaning, just like everybody else. I was given less than 5% chance of living. I had major medical issues before I was born and my parents were told at 20 weeks that I had Down Syndrome. Some people even told my parents I should be aborted. My parents knew that God had a special plan for me. He is using my life to change my community and beyond. I believe I and others just like me can do anything, if given the opportunity. So, it is my prayer that people everywhere begin to Focus on Abilities Not Disabilities. Have Faith, Love Your Friends, Love Everyone, and Keep Chasing Your Dreams!

My Name is Joe Steffy, I own Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn. As October is Down syndrome Awareness Month, I wanted to share my story to inspire others to pursue their dreams. My story is a tribute to my parents’ determination and the support they have given to ensure my quality of life. I have been able to share my success story across the country at conferences, seminars, and to parent and self-advocacy groups. In honor of Down syndrome Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Month, I’d like to share it with you!

I was born with Down syndrome and later diagnosed with Autism. When I was in school, my teachers said I had an IQ of 32 with profound intellectual disabilities. The reports said that my receptive and expressive language was at a 3-year-old level, and that I had minimal basic academic skills.

As I grew, my parents saw that I liked to do things independently, I loved being active with other people and spending time with family and friends. They recognized that I had a very good memory for detail, and could follow through with activities that are part of a regular routine. I was blessed with many community opportunities and became a very strong swimmer. This led to the opportunity of helping at the community pool. I also enjoyed horseback riding at a local stable and began to volunteer there to help with the horses.

In high school, my team started to plan for my transition into adulthood. The team had very low expectations. They said I would never hold a job, that I had no attention span, could not focus, and would need to live in a group home. My parents disagreed. They knew I was capable of working and that I learned by watching. They also knew I would do exactly what I saw done, so teaching me the right way to do things would be important. I am happiest when I am busy and my parents knew this. I would work, they said.

While on a trip, my Dad saw a man popping kettle corn and it caught his attention. He asked many questions about the process to the man, and learned that kettle corn is an old German way of popping popcorn with sugar. The popcorn pops between 420°- 460° degrees. When you add the sugar and secret ingredients to the popcorn and vegetable oil in the hot kettle, the sugar breaks down into a liquid. As the popcorn pops it comes up through the sugar and gives the kernels a sugar coating. While popping, the kettle is 500° degrees so it is important that it is constantly stirred. As you stir the popped kernels, it commingles. Once it is all popped, it is dumped out onto the screening table where it cools.

My Dad came away excited about the possibilities to use this to build on my strengths. This was a way for me to prove that I could work. We did a work trial in October of 2000. The goal was to see if I could work. We popped on weekends at local grocery stores and I showed Dad I could stay on task for up to 6 hours. In the work trial, Dad saw that I could learn the repetition of the production process. I could pop, and I could bag, both key parts of popping kettle corn.

My parents decided this looked like very promising work for me. They attended a Davis Hammis presentation at a Partners in Policymaking class in Kansas. It showed that I could OWN my own business. The key to making Poppin’ Joe’s Kettle Korn come true was having a business plan, doing the work trial, and proving that I could work.

First Steps helped my Mom set up the business plan, and the Kansas Department for Developmental Disabilities provided me with a new business startup grant to purchase new equipment. My start up team included Social Security, which offers a program called PASS (The plan for achieving self-support) and having cash set aside for achieving my business goals. My parents also worked with Vocational Rehab to purchase a computer and laser printer for my business. They submitted my business plan to open Poppin’ Joes Kettle Korn to each of these team members. My team was then able to provide me the startup supports I needed to become the sole proprietor of Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn in April of 2005.

I offer five products in my business. Cinnamon Kettle Korn, Sweet and Cheesy, Old Fashioned Kettle Korn, White Cheddar popcorn, and Golden Karmel Korn. 65% of my business is through selling at Festivals like the county fairs, car shows and various festivals around Kansas City. 25% of my business is through weekly supplies to specialty stores like gas stations, medical centers and farmer’s markets. The final 10 % is popcorn I sell for special events like weddings, graduations, employee events and internet sales.

My daily business tasks include deliveries, banking, paying my bills, and sending out invoices, as well as popping kettle korn to keep up with the demand. My gross sales starting out were $15,000 in 2005. They doubled in 2006, and have now have tripled to over $60,000 annually in sales last year! We are a success because of teamwork and the commitment my parents have made to me.

Poppin’ Joe’s Kettle Korn began with the mission of honoring God in all we do. Being a blessing to other people, to pursue excellence, and to grow profitability. I am a member in the community that I work in, which gives me a place to belong. I am a contributing citizen and am able to do fundraisers for local churches, schools, businesses and communities events, as well as for many nonprofit organizations. My community values me – I pay taxes!

In 2008, Poppin Joes helped me move into my own home. I love my freedom! It gives me a great life! I go to work during the day, and hang out and do fun activities at night, just like most business owners. I have many activities I enjoy, like shooting hoops, horseback riding, swimming, traveling, skiing, going to amusement parks, water surfing, sky diving, lifting weights, scuba diving, spending time with my family and friends. My business has also enabled me to have many adventures, going places and meeting people I would not otherwise get to meet. I have been invited to travel and share my story with groups across the country. This has brought me many new friends, and expanded my business even further.

I have been blessed by incredible parents who have advocated for me since my birth. They saw my potential. They knew that I could succeed. They have given their time and energy to help make my business a reality and a continued success. This Down syndrome Awareness Month and Disability Employment Month I want to say Thank You to my advocates since birth, Mom and Dad, Janet and Ray Steffy. I love being Poppin’ Joe!

*Article is from Joe’s Power point presentation he uses with his augmentative device to tell his story. Joe Steffy is 30 years old and lives in his own apartment in Louisburg, Kansas and is the owner of Popping Joe’s Kettle Korn.