Skip to Content

Supporting Down Syndrome Owned Businesses

Posted on Last updated: Categories Down syndrome

By: Author Meriah

Supporting Down Syndrome Owned Businesses

Please Share

This is about Down syndrome businesses – that is, businesses which are owned by people with Down syndrome, or by families or allies of our community.

This Down syndrome Business list also focuses on companies which have items available for sale online. 

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.

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.

Andy Meredith Photography: I really love his work (and follow him on Instagram). Shop at his site, linked here

Chani’s Creations: bracelets and jewelry

Downright Charming: lovely quilts made by Sarah

Sophiola: beautiful paintings, prints, cards

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.

Ashley by Design: popular clothing for people with Down syndrome, created by designer Ashley DeRamus, who has Down syndrome

Troy Made It: Pottery! Follow him on Instagram (click here) for updates. He has a shop on Etsy that sells out fast (so stay tuned!)

Allie Art: Holy Mother of WOW! Allie’s art is gorgeous! Vibrant, color-rich and reasonably-priced. She has jewelry, too.

Bradley’s Blocks: all kinds of super-cool pet art, leash gear and more. If you love dogs, this is your stop.

On the heals of great art featuring dogs is Doggie Delights, by Allison. They make healthy dog food and treats!

Designs by Lupita – Dynamic, popping stuff: really lovely. Lupita has prints and more for sale on her site.


Oliver Hellowell Photography – Gorgeous photos. Lots of nature-shots.

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). Check out the “Down Syndrome Bath Bomb“!!

b9ff6f5724f3fb413c5c1cd294a635d5Christian Royal Pottery:

Gorgeous, gorgeous pottery. Those leaves?! The designs? Brilliant! I think his slogan should be, “Stoneware with Impeccable Charm.”

snow-in-norway-4Tazia 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.

 andrewweatherly_winterworlds_largeArtlifting: 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. Be sure to check out her capsule collection with Sanrio – Hello Kitty + “Don’t Limit Me” = pure radness!

Poppin’ Joes: Gourmet kettle corn by Joe! Yum.

John’s Crazy Socks is a little company that is going big. All the socks, all the time, and with a sock subscription service too!

…and!

 

2. Down Syndrome Related Small Businesses

This is, small businesses run by families, friends or allies of an individual with Down syndrome (- this usually means family!)

  • Ry’s Ties: socks and ties, pretty cool!
  • Maya’s Adventures: lovely series of books about a little girl with Down syndrome.
  • Mt. Lebanon Soap Company: handmade soaps and bath bombs!
  • 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

Coffee:

 

T-Shirts:

3. Businesses That Hire 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?

Here are a few resources:

a) Glassdoor’s report on the best states and companies for hiring people with disabilities. This is not disability-specific, but we know that Down syndrome will be included in this report.

The report is linked here.

b) Check out the Return on Disability Group

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.

c). According to the Facebook Hive, (meaning, just informal asking around on Facebook!), the big companies that are doing well in hiring people with Down syndrome:
  • 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!

Related Posts:

The best Down syndrome t-shirts for Down syndrome awareness month
Buy Now
 
 
Many thanks to Missy Skavlem for her 2013 post, “Businesses Owned by People with Down syndrome“, and Michelle with her 2012 post, “21 Days of Giveaways.”
 
 
 
Support This Site

Please Share

Haben Girma: Haben Book Club December Pick
← Previous
Haben: Read the Book in December & Talk with Author in January
stumble to rise book review
Next →
Rae Reviews: Stumble to Rise: a Memoir on Living with Multiple Sclerosis

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Unpacking Disability

a blue suitcase is open with images representing disability and the disability experience spilling out

“Disability” is a huge word, a culture, an experience, a movement. It is a means through which many of us live our lives, a platform of existence.

This site strives to “unpack” – or better understand – disability by trying to go deeper into disability thought, culture, opinions and experience through interviews, essays and media.