In high school, she was bullied. After college, it was difficult to find a job. But through all the difficult times, Collette Divitto, has had one thing that makes her happy: baking. Divitto, who has Down syndrome, decided to channel her passion into a career, opening her own cookie company.
"So actually, I always loved baking, since I was 4 years old. From high school, I had been taking baking classes," said Divitto, 31."It was a hard time for me. I had no friends, I didn't have a social life. I got bullied, I got picked on. And that's why I had been taking baking classes." After high school, Divitto went to Clemson University in South Carolina, but after graduating, it was difficult for her to find jobs. So, she turned to her mom, who helped her create her own job: CEO of Collettey's Cookies. Collettey's Cookiesand has already brought in more than $1 million in revenue over the last five years.
"There's lots of amazing things happening," Divitto said of the opportunities coming her way. She says her favorite part about running her business is hiring people with disabilities.