She Proved EVERYONE Wrong: Down Syndrome to Million-Dollar CEO

Nov 16, 2025

Collette Divitto, founder of Collettey's Cookies and an entrepreneur with Down syndrome, shares her inspiring journey from job rejections to building a seven-figure cookie business. She discusses the pivotal moment that led her to start her own company and emphasizes her mission to create job opportunities for neurodiverse individuals. Alongside her mother and co-founder, Rosemary Alfredo, they explore the importance of resilience, unique recipes, and maintaining quality while scaling rapidly. Their advocacy work and personal stories challenge perceptions of disability, inspiring others to believe in diverse abilities.

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ANECDOTE

From Rejection To Market Shelf

Collette took rejected job applications and started selling her cookies at a local Boston market.
Within a week the market sold out and she realized she could build a business from those sales.

INSIGHT

Story As Growth Nitrous

Media attention exploded Collette's orders to thousands before she had systems in place.
A story can drive immediate demand that outpaces operational readiness.

INSIGHT

Purpose And Equal Opportunity Hiring

Collette intentionally hires a mix of employees with and without disabilities to create equality.
Purpose-driven hiring can coexist with standard business practices and non-discrimination.

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This episode was sponsored by Collettey's Cookies

LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/

In this inspiring Dropping Bombs episode, Collette Divitto breaks down how she built a booming brand from rejection, disability, and zero handouts. Born with Down syndrome, Collette was rejected from job after job—so she launched Collettey's Cookies, a business that now ships thousands of orders nationwide every week. Alongside her mother and co-founder Rosemary Alfredo, she reveals the exact moment she flipped her story and started building a company on her own terms.

From viral growth to hiring others with disabilities, Collette shares her strategies for scaling a purpose-driven brand that doesn't ask for sympathy—just results. If you've ever felt underestimated or counted out, this episode is your proof that resilience, consistency, and grit can take you further than credentials ever will. Hit play to learn how to turn rejection into revenue—and why excuses don't bake cookies.

🔗 Resources

🍪 Collettey's Cookies — https://colletteys.com/

🌐 Collettey's Nonprofit — https://www.colletteysleadership.org/

Collette's Socials:

📲 Collette's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/colletteyscookies/

🌐 Collette's Linktree — https://linktr.ee/collettedivitto

Watch the full-length video version of any Dropping Bombs episode here on YouTube.

Brad Lea is a self-made entrepreneur who turned small-town grit into a multi-million-dollar empire. With over 25 years dominating sales and leadership, he's mentored thousands to outsmart, outwork, and out win their competition. His top-rated podcast, Dropping Bombs, brings raw, game-changing insights from the biggest names in business.

LightSpeed VT is Brad's brainchild—the world's leading interactive training platform. It's built to make your team sharper, faster, and more effective, without wasting time or money. Whether you're a startup or a Fortune 500, LightSpeed VT is how you scale success and dominate your industry. Curious? Check it out:

https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Brad's also behind Closer School, the go-to program for mastering sales and closing deals like a pro. Want to 10x your income? This is where you start. His book, The Hard Way, lays out the brutal, honest lessons he learned building his empire—your blueprint to winning the game. Get it here: https://bradlea.com/product/the-hard-way/

This isn't just a video. It's a wake-up call. Watch it. Share it. Act on it.

Closer School: https://www.closerschool.com/cs