The only way to overcome the rigors of that test is to create something of value. If you look at your favorite businesses you will notice a trend – they all create things you can’t live without. You absolutely have to buy whatever it is they’re selling. This got-to-have effect is the best indicator of a product or service’s value.

Most parents of adults with disabilities find anything their child creates to be valuable. Whether it’s a finger painting, a blob of a sculpture or some abstract craft, parents can’t understand why someone wouldn’t buy what their child has to offer. Unfortunately, the reality is that almost nobody would pay money to buy these arts and crafts projects. They might be cute and they might support a great individual, but they are not valuable to others. Just think, if some famous artists weren’t know for their art until after they died chances are your child won’t make it as an artist either. Your child’s art doesn’t cause the got-to-have effect for anyone but you.

The key is identifying the strengths of your child and finding a model that can really highlight these strengths.

This is the thought process behind our business creation efforts. We grouped individuals we were employing by skill set. Those that liked cooking and the tasks involved with cooking (measuring, pouring, heating and timing) were grouped together. Other employees who were good at routine tasks (folding and sorting) were put in another group. Then, we thought about creating value with these skills. Eventually, we took the group that liked cooking and created a product production model to fit their skills. We also felt the “routine” group would be great at doing laundry; thus, our laundry businesses came to existence.

After these business models were identified and set up we were able to confirm through revenue that we were on to something…

We were creating value.

But, what business practice isn’t an experiment?

Initially, EV took on contractual work and started an event center. After 2 years of experimentation, we found that contracting wasn’t for us. The work didn’t fit our staff. It was time sensitive, inconsistent, and our life or death was in someone else’s hands.

At the same time we took matters into our own hands by experimenting with an event center. Immediately, we began to see positive results.

This work was ideal for our employees – set schedules, pre-approved set-ups and take-downs, month long planning periods, familiar and repetitive tasks – consistency.

We decided if we lived or died as a business!

We knew, to employ our community, we had to create the right businesses that could stand the test of time.

Solution? EV Laundry, EV Gifts and Gravesite Guardians

On January 26th, Extraordinary Ventures partnered with Autism Speaks to hold a research summit entitled, “Adults with Autism: Sharing Ideas, Filling the Gaps.” The event was designed to bring together researchers, donors, service providers, and parents to discuss the on going research of ASD. The conference had a grounded feel as parents and service providers were able to provide real experience to the discusion. Click here to read more from the Autism Speaks Blog.

The event was a great opportunity for Extraordinary Ventures to showcase our model of employing adults with developmental disabilities. During the lunch break we gave tours of our businesses, and the place was buzzing. Our EVents Center Crew took care of housekeeping in the main conference area, our EV Laundry Crew was sorting and folding clothes in the laundry room, and our EV Gifts Crew was melting and wrapping candles for Valentine’s Day.

All in all, the day was success. The conference went off without a hitch, and Extraordinary Ventures was able to show a successful model in vocational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

http://autismsciencefoundation.wordpress.com/

This past Thursday Gravesite Guardians officially opened its doors to Chapel Hill and surrounding communities showcasing its unique service by leading a community service project at the local Sparrows Cemetery. The Gravesite Guardian crew, EV staff and board members, and Sparrow family and friends came together on the beautiful fall afternoon with a common goal: to Spruce up Sparrow Cemetery.

Half of the GG crew worked on 2 headstones while the other pair went to work on the landscaping project of mulching the shady area towards the front of the cemetery. Employing our crew’s unique set of skills we finished both stones within 2 hours and the mulching wrapped up an hour later. It was clear by the end that a little bit of mulch and elbow grease goes a long way.

Start your day with a hearty, delicious serving of apple cinnamon oatmeal. Perfect for back-to-school, give this “apple” to your new teacher or enjoy it as a healthy breakfast for the whole family. Just add hot water and enjoy wholesome, cinnamon-spiced oatmeal which serves 6 to 8. Order now, you’ll definitely come back for more!

Please share your photos of other herb gardens, cookies and soups from EV Gifts on our facebook page.

Please continue to spread the word about EV Gifts and all of our other ventures, it will certainly help us continue our mission to provide more  jobs for adults with developmental disabilities.