Nobody Would Hire This Woman With Down Syndrome So She Started Her Own Business

This heartwarming story about one woman's perseverance in the face of discrimination is as amazing as her signature cookies!

When Collette couldn't find a job, the intrepid young baker decided to go into business for herself. Now she's her own boss, with plans to grow her company and become the boss of many, many more — all with disabilities of their own.

"Collette designed her own logo and applied for incorporation, ready to market and sell her cookie[s]." Her website tells the story of a young woman opening doors and making a name for herself among Boston locals, who have taken quite the liking to her baked goods.

She's only growing from here!

Meet Collette Divitto.

Collette is a 26-year-old Clemson University grad from Boston, Massachusetts.

Collette has dealt with more than her fair share of barriers.

Because she has Down syndrome, her whole life she has been subjected to people's attitudes and misinformation. 

Trying to find a job has been a constant source of difficulty and disappointment, "Potential employers told her they liked her qualities, but said she 'wasn't the right fit.'"

"She’s never accepted her disability," her mom, Rosemary Alfredo, said.

Why would she? She wasn't going to let that discourage her.

If no one was going to give her a job then Collette would make her own.

"It’s very upsetting to me," Collette told WBZ News. "It’s very hard to find a paying job for people like me who have special needs."

She's always been a phenomenal cook.

Collette perfected her recipes years ago, but one in particular, chocolate chip cookies dipped in cinnamon, has segued into something more for her. Collette's mom had been saying so for years, "We kept telling her, ‘This is a really good cookie. You could sell this!’"

Now that's exactly what she's doing.

She bakes every batch out of her Boston apartment.

And started the business Collettey's Cookies, where the apostrophe is stylistically replaced with a great big heart that mirrors Collette's own.

"She’s kind of stepped into this role of trying to inspire and motivate other people," Rosemary said. 

"I’m incredibly proud," Rosemary said of her daughter. "If there’s one thing or gift you can give any child, it’s that kind of strength. Because when doors have closed for her, she’s found a way around them or she’s found another door to open that might be an even greater path for her."

She's got a big dream — bigger than just her — she's going to help people who, like her, had trouble finding jobs because of their disabilities.

According to her website, "Collette's latest goal is to land an account in a large market and hire other people with a disability, understanding that 76% are unemployed and so want desperately to have a job, earn money, and be a worthy part of a team. Collette's long term dream is to supply her cookie to a store chain, open a baking location in every state, and hire thousands of people with a disability across the country."

"That’s my dream," Collette said. "I want to help more people with disabilities. It would be a great feeling to hire them."

A very admiral dream, indeed.

And it's already coming true.

Collette has her first client: The Golden Goose Market nearby is selling Collette's cookies on its shelves.

The owner, Stephen DeAngelis, has said, "You know we just kind of fell in love with her. We get great feedback. First of all, we have to chase the employees away because they want to eat them!"

She's got a website, business cards, and takes online delivery orders. 

Collette's now received a fellowship through the Institute of Community Inclusion, where she's formed a bigger business plan and is finding an investor to grow her company.