There is no such thing as “Down Syndrome Businesses” of course; this was for internet search and easy-recognition purposes. This list focuses on businesses which are owned by people with Down syndrome, or by families of allies of our community.
This Down syndrome Business list also focuses on companies which have items available for sale online.
In This Post You Will Find:
- Supporting Businesses with a Connection to Down Syndrome; “Down Syndrome Owned Businesses”
- Paying It Forward:
- 2. Small businesses that are run by family and allies of the of individuals with Down syndrome
- 3. Businesses with great track records for hiring individuals with Down syndrome
- Check out Return on Disability’s 2016 Annual Report.
Supporting Businesses with a Connection to Down Syndrome; “Down Syndrome Owned Businesses”
Our Down syndrome community is close-knit. Oh, we squabble on social media and have tiffs here and there, but we also have each other’s backs something fierce. When we have questions about IEP’s or band together to seek out solutions or justice, there is no stopping us.
We also like to support each other.
Here’s a guide with links and information that will help us in supporting Down syndrome businesses (that is, businesses with a positive connection to Down syndrome).
The sections have been categorized: businesses that are owned by individuals with Down syndrome, businesses that are owned by family members of an individual with Down syndrome, and companies that do great work in hiring individuals with Down syndrome.
1. Businesses that are run by individuals with Down syndrome
This means that the product is made by the individual with Down syndrome and the store is run largely through their own efforts.
Moira’s Ventures: Activist Moira Rossi set up a business in which she sells programs training other adults with Down syndrome in self-advocacy. I’m blown away.
Allie Art: Holy Mother of WOW! Allie’s art is gorgeous! Vibrant, color-rich and reasonably-priced. She has jewelry, too.
Designs by Lupita – Dynamic, popping stuff: really lovely. Lupita has prints and more for sale on her site.
Oliver Hellowell PhotographyGorgeous photos. Lots of nature-shots.
“Da Bomb,” Bath Bombs by Morgan Tibbens: Outstanding variety of “bath bombs” (these things you put into the bath to make your experience there something fragrantly divine.
Gorgeous, gorgeous pottery. Those leaves?! The designs? Brilliant! I think his slogan should be, “Stoneware with Impeccable Charm.”
Tazia Fawley: She makes cut-outs and paintings that are simply vibrant and bursting with energy. She is also the famous artist who gave Prince George one of her paintings, which was displayed in his nursery.
Geoffrey Mikol has an outstanding online shop, Riverbend Galleries, with images that he takes. Photos, calendars and more.
Artlifting: Dreamy, often abstract art from the brilliant Andrew Weatherly. He has a wide collection of everything from rainbow swirls to sunrises.
Megalogy: Megan Bomgaars is one of my favorites from the hit series, “Born This Way,” because she reminds me a lot of my daughter, Moxie. She is also a total rockstar of creative awesomeness, selling everything from her hand-dyed silk scarves to yoga pants.
Poppin’ Joes: Gourmet kettle corn by Joe! Yum.
…and!
- Dusty’s Puppets: Dusty makes, sells (and if you are local, performs with) puppets. Very, very cool.
- Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates: chocolate, coffee, tea, even granola and nuts!
- DK Arts: greeting cards and prints
- Florida Keys Art by Cinnamon – photographs and watercolors
- Gracie’s Doggie Delights: stuff your best friend will love
Paying It Forward:
Brittany (an individual with Down syndrome) pulls together gift baskets for new and expecting parents of children with Down syndrome. What a powerful thing to do! Although this is not a business that you receive something in exchange for an item, it’s definitely worth contributing your dollars towards: you can do so here.
2. Small businesses that are run by family and allies of the of individuals with Down syndrome
- Meriah Made It: my photography, art, book, t-shirts – all available here!
- 4Peace Art: Two little girls – sisters of a young boy with Down syndrome – sell cards on Etsy and a portion of profit is donated to NDSC.
- Kroc Co Paper Shop: All things paper! Super fun
- Mighty Moose Alters: Very exciting shop: the mom modifies backpacks, purses, and diaper bags to accommodate feeding tubes, and is slowly getting into adaptive clothing as well – YESSSSS!
- Cristina’s Tortina Shop: cupcakes, cakes & speciality treats made by a mom of an individual with Down syndrome, and who hires people with Down syndrome.
- Reason to Bake: gluten free morsels of cookie deliciousness
- Dreamer’s Coffee: Coffee distribution company run mostly by parents of individuals with Down syndrome, selling coffee & coffee-accompanying products. Here’s a link to Dawn’s Dreamer’s Coffee
- Loving Memories Floral and Repurposed Designs: Lovely shadow boxes, wind chimes, repurposed art.
- Beccability Bakery: Handmade marshmallows, shipped anywhere. Yum.
- Mom & Me Designer Wreaths: Beautiful wreaths for every occasion and season.
-
Gracie’s Doggie Delights: healthy dog treats. No additives ever.
- Jack’s Bar and Grill & Steamer’s Coffeehouse: jam, jelly, pie filling and gift baskets. This stuff looks delicious.
- Sassy Fras Design: vinyl, embroidery and handcrafted design (including things like unicorn embroidered shirts!!!).
- Handmade Weighted Blankets: all kinds of handmade weighted blankets, with all kinds of fabrics.
- Designer Do Over: E-bay store selling used/new clothing and shoes
- Cloth Diaper Outlet: all your cloth diapering needs (including gently used diaper covers!) and more
- Creekside Cookies: fruit and cookies!
- Waggies by Maggie & Friends – dog treats made by people with Intellectual Disabilities
- Imperfect Creations: quilts and embroidery
T-Shirts:
- Seanese – Sean, from “Born This Way” has his own line of bad-ass shirts (I want them all!)
- Group Hug Apparel – very popular t-shirt company run by Andrew, who has Down syndrome
- Reeve’s Tees
- The Chromosome Shirt
- Kale Chips Apparel: t-shirts and more
3. Businesses with great track records for hiring individuals with Down syndrome
Ever want to know what businesses have a good track record with disability?
That is, that recruit, hire and retain employees with disabilities, that support accommodation and more?
Check out Return on Disability’s 2016 Annual Report.
They have deeply analyzed almost every aspect of employment and disability within major firms, and make it easy for you to decide where you want your money to go.
Added to that, they cover both the United States and Canada.
- Trader Joes
- Publix
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Petco
- Safeway
- Kroger
- Wegman’s
- Amazon (maybe Down syndrome; definitely for intellectual disability)
One Final Note
Please share this post and support businesses with a positive connection to Down syndrome in particular and disability in general.
Remember that our dollars speak the language of business by highlighting the need and desire for inclusion and acceptance, and they speak clearly and loudly.
Feel free to leave links in the comments section to businesses that have not been included.
Thank you!
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15 Comments
Great list!
Have a look at Johns Crazy Socks! Their original Mighty story was viewed over 20M Times.
http://www.johnscrazysocks.com
This amazing business is owned by a man with Down syndrome, they give back to a different charity every month and employ people with Down Syndrome. They fit all 3 categories!! X
Awesome list! How do you get on this list? I’m an artist and author. I do napkin drawings about all the achievements and milestones my daughter does and have written and illustrated a book about her adventures to the library. It’s very much about empowering each individual for their uniqueness. It is also a great social story for people who may be anxious about new experiences. I’m writing a dentist book next. Check my work out at mayasadventurebooks.com
this is great! I’ll add you when I update the entire list – thank you!
Jasmine’s Bunting Company http://www.jasminesbuntingco.com/
Love this list! If you add to your list, we sell acceptance apparel inspired by our daughter who has Down syndrome and 10% goes to our local GiGi’s Playhouse: http://www.down2dream.com
Thank you for including Seanese!! Sean loves it that you called his t’s badass. LOL Happy Thanksgiving.
You should add Bradley’s Blocks – he makes custom paintings of your pets and other items. He’s on Facebook and here’s his website https://www.etsy.com/shop/BradleysBlocks
Fabulous list! I would add the wonderful Furnace Hills Coffee, http://www.furnacehillscoffee.com. They do online sales and really great coffee. “Furnace Hills Coffee™ has a commitment to hire people that are developmentally disabled. Our first employee, Erin Baldwin, has Down Syndrome. “
I have bought several of the Group Hug shirts over the years — they’re just great! And I own two of Oliver Hellowell’s photos, framed and hanging in my office. They’re beautiful, and his coffee book is a work of art in addition to the photos inside it. Great, great list! Happy holidays, everyone!
This is wonderful!! Feel free to add My Little Sunshine Face to your list. It is a book series that I wrote dedicated to children with Down syndrome and their parents. My son, Ashton, is the main character and he was born with DOwn syndrome. The series instilled in children that they are “wonderfully made” based on Psalm 139:13-14 and as each book celebrates everything our children are including their extra chromosome.. each book has activities for them to do and was created to help aid in cognitive, psychological, and motor skills development. They also have speech and motor skills therapy ideas to utilize with your child as you enjoy the book together. I hope someday as my son gets older he will help with this business and then I can pass it on to him. Right now he is the face and inspiration that little kids get to meet at my book signings or speaking events and they get excited they met they friend in the book! http://www.mylittlesunshineface.com
How about Ashley DeRamus down syndrome advocate
Who founded Ashley by design and the Ashley DeRamus foundation
Awarded Ndsc advocate of the year
NDSS Champion of Change
IDS Advocate of the year.
BABBAL Disney blog one of 6 entapanure of the year.
And supports #DSWORKS
Mt Lebanon Soap Company makes cold process soap and all the proceeds to into a special needs trust for their daughter with Down Syndrome.
http://Www.mtlebanonsoapcompany.com
We are proud to have our own Crumley Family Dreamers Coffee & Tea business, selling premium, Fair Trade coffee which employs individuals of ALL abilities working in an inclusive environment for fair wages! My son and business partner, John Michael, is 10 and has Down syndrome. He loves selling Dreamers with me.
Our website is http://www.Dreamers-CrumleyFamily.com
With every purchase with a purpose, you help the dream come true!
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