Man with autism sick of rejected job applications so he decides to open his own business
Many of us went through the tedious task of looking for a job.
From getting enough academic credentials or job experience to sending out applications. The process doesn’t end there, though. Remember how we went through interviews and exams and still ended up rejected? Tough.
Other people have it more difficult for them because of societal prejudices.
We can’t deny that even in 2022, companies still judge applicants based on their race, ethnicity, gender, and disability. (It’s 2022, people! Come on!) And one of the victims of this prejudice is Michael Coyne.
Michael is a local Special Olympic Athlete in Rhode Island.
You would think that with Michael’s fame because of his athletic abilities, companies would hire him. But according to Michael, since he turned 21 and applied for jobs, he has been rejected with every job he applied for because of his disability.
Michael lives with several disabilities, including autism and ADHD.
Even with his disabilities, he was a hardworking man with so much promise. He participated in a program in the hospitality field, hoping he would land a job in a restaurant. Seeing her son facing rejection after rejection, Sheila said it became heartbreaking.
So he started to take fate into his hands to fulfill his dreams.
Michael took business classes through Rhode Island’s Developmental Disability Center. After he completed the program, he wasted no time chasing his dreams.
Michael opened his own coffee shop called Red, White, and Brew.
More than opening up a business he wished he was employed in, he opened up so many opportunities with it. He opened his doors to people who have disabilities and hired them. This made his mother so proud of what he had accomplished.
Red, White, and Brew made a significant impact on their society.
Sheila found a sense of community within the coffee shop, with everyone around it learning from each other. On one side, the community can understand how people with disabilities are just as abled as they are. On the other hand, it is helping Michael and the rest of his staff improve their social skills as they interact with the customers.
Sheila believes that what Michael has is a promising business model.
Aside from hiring other people with disabilities, he takes it a bit further by helping other businesses. He does not only sell coffee and pastries in Red, White, and Brew. He has craft items for sale, too.
These items are from The Budding Violet.
Technically, this is his parents’ business which sells craft products and displays them in Michael’s shop. The finished products – like knitted items, handmade bags, and jewelry – are made by his friends who have disabilities as well.
They are putting inclusion as front and center of their business.
Because of what their son went through, Sheila doesn’t want other parents (of children with disabilities) to be disheartened. They hope that The Budding Violet and Red, White, and Brew will give them the hope and positivity they need.
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Source: WPRI YouTube Channel, Red, White, & Brew Facebook Page