MAY EDITION

How Down Syndrome Entrepreneur Collette Divitto Is Changing the World, One Cookie at a Time

Some people are born to change the world, and Collette Divitto is one of them.

Born with Down Syndrome, this Connecticut native quickly developed a passion for baking after taking classes in high school. One cookie after another, she built a thriving business on her own. Proving that nothing stands in the way of sheer drive and determination, Collette has now sold over 400,000 Collettey’s cookies and gives back to the community in any way she can. Currently employing 15 people, several with disabilities, she says: “No matter who you are, you can make difference,” believes Collette. She adds, “I was not only determined to show everyone how capable people with (dis)abilities are, but my mission is to open production facilities across the country and employ thousands of (dis)abled people!” Since then, this young entrepreneur has been featured on countless media outlets, such as CNN to Good Morning America and most recently, People magazine. Her hard work and perseverance never cease to amaze the public and inspire anyone who stumbles on her story. However, even with this newly-achieved fame and recognition, she still faces struggles, some more frustrating than others. To date, her greatest one is undeniably the false assumptions that others project onto her and their inability to take her seriously. As someone who has set up a company on her own, it pains her to see new inquiries come in, directed to other members of her team instead of herself. Reminiscent of her beginnings, where she could not get a job due to people’s perception of her, this recurring situation hit a little closer to home. No matter how much she has done to prove herself, running a production line, writing her books, and more, some still define her by her condition. Nonetheless, she is not letting anyone stand in her way of success or deter her motivation. When asked when she sees herself in five years, she shares her goal for Colletey’s cookies to reach national brand status, selling to the majority of markets and supermarkets and doubling her efforts with her advocating work. More than just a good snack, Colletey’s cookies keep creating job opportunities for people with disabilities and is on track to change the world in other meaningful ways.