19-year-old Nolan Slaweski is preparing to graduate from Archbishop Wood High School, and as he walks to the stage in his cap and gown, he'll be holding his head high knowing he has a diploma and his own small business.
Two years ago, after Nolan came home from Tim Tebow's Rising Light Ridge camp, he introduced a new saying to his mom, which is how the brand, "Built Different," blossomed. "He knows what he wants, and he went to camp and came home saying, ‘I’m built different,'" said Nolan's mom, Colleen Slawesk. "I thought that's such an amazing thing for him to recognize his differences."
Nolan has down syndrome, and he began designing t-shirts, hats, and other items, all branded with his saying, "Built Different." He started selling the merchandise two months ago on World Down Syndrome Day, and he hasn't looked back since.