We’ve partnered with Making Space and Making Space Media to spotlight Disabled entrepreneurs who are pursuing dreams, pushing boundaries and making a real difference in communities.
Keep reading to learn about six Disabled business owners who have transformed passions into impactful ventures — including the founders of Making Space!
About Making Space
2020 Aerie REAL Changemaker Keely Cat-Wells and television presenter Sophie Morgan, both Disabled trailblazers, created Making Space and Making Space Media to address the disability employment gap and representation for the Disabled community.
In 2020, Keely received an Aerie REAL Changemaker Grant of $20K for her company C-Talent, a talent agency that represented Disabled artists globally. After selling C-Talent, Keely teamed up with Sophie to launch Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning platform that trains companies to train, access and retain Disabled talent and Making Space Media, the media division designed to center Disabled people and their stories.
Aerie has continued partnering with Keely since then, inviting her to speak at the Aerie Real Fest in March 2024 to speak on her experience and share advice on how to maintain confidence in your professional life.
Now, we’re partnering again to support Making Space and Making Space Media’s mission to support and develop Disabled leaders.
Making Space & Making Space Media
Photo credit: Abigail Gorden
Meet Keely Cat-Wells & Sophie Morgan, founders of Making Space & Making Space Media! Making Space was born out of Keely & Sophie’s shared passion for building equitable employment and representation for Disabled people.
Watch below to find out more about how they came together and turned a shared vision into a full-time career.
AERIE: What is your go-to outfit for a work day?
KEELY: If I’m working from home, I usually go for a super comfy pair of high-waisted Aerie shorts, paired with one of our Making Space t-shirts or sweaters. For in-person meetings, I always opt for a matching suit. I feel like the matching element of my style has become pretty solidified at this point!
What does being #AerieREAL mean to you?
KEELY: #AerieREAL to me means being kind to myself and others, which is fundamental to everything we do. Kindness is something we can bring into any space, no matter how cutthroat it may be. If I lead with kindness and we infuse it into our actions, it helps us stay grounded in our purpose and true to who we are.
SOPHIE: Being unapologetically authentic and true to who I am and empowering others to believe in themselves enough to MAKE SPACE for themselves and others!
Do you have any books, podcasts or other recommendations you’d like to share that have inspired you in your journey?
SOPHIE: Follow other Disabled people on social media, find a creative outlet and always start your day dancing!
Pi00a
Photo credit: Abigail Gorden
Mother and daughter duo Taysia Stein and Melody Stein are the founders of Pi00a, a pizza restaurant that proudly reflects their Asian heritage and commitment to inclusive employment for d/Deaf and CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) communities.
Watch below to discover how Taysia and Melody harnessed their passion for culinary excellence and commitment to inclusivity to establish a thriving business that delivers exceptional pizza while serving as a pioneering model for inclusive employment practices.
AERIE: Walk us through a day in your life as a business owner! What does your average day look like?
MELODY: I wake up around 5:30AM and give myself half an hour to play games on my iPhone before starting my morning routine. I meet with my Pi00a team at 8AM for a quick meeting to go over the day’s tasks. We then focus on pizza making and perfecting the frozen pizza process. After delegating responsibilities to my team leaders, I catch up on emails and work on pitches for retailers and the food service industry. We finish work at 4:30PM, but in the evening, I usually finish up emails and strategy planning at home. My husband, Russ, makes dinner for us, and I start winding down around 8PM by watching K-Dramas or C-Dramas before going to bed at 9PM.
What does being #AerieREAL mean to you?
TAYSIA: Being #AerieREAL means that I am always true to myself. I don’t want to change myself based off of other people’s opinions. I am who I am and I am proud of that.
MELODY: #AerieREAL is something I believe in, showing my perseverance when things get tough. I’m committed to putting in the hard work.
Who do you look up to on a personal or professional level?
TAYSIA: I would say my parents because they are both incredibly hard workers and learn to pivot whenever an obstacle comes their way. Owning a business is very tough and they have shown me how to be positive when I am usually pessimistic.
Collettey’s Cookies
Photo credit: Abigail Gorden
After Collette Divitto, born with Down syndrome, developed a passion for baking, her original cinnamon chocolate chip cookie, “The Amazing Cookie”, led to her founding Collettey’s Cookies.
Collettey’s Cookies now employs 15 individuals, many of whom have disabilities. Watch below to explore Collette’s infectious enthusiasm for baking, her journey to success, and her commitment to creating job opportunities for others in the Disabled community.
AERIE: What does being #AerieREAL mean to you?
COLETTE: I was raised to be grateful and appreciative and love myself and to understand that life is about honesty and love and being real and kind to one another. Honesty with yourself and who you are and that is the power within us.
Who do you look up to on a personal or professional level?
COLETTE: My Mom. She is so devoted to family and being a positive hardworking person who puts her children first.
A special thank you to the Making Space Media production team, who made telling these stories possible!
