When Kent, now the successful owner of the social enterprise Kent’s Soda, first said that he wanted to use the profits that he made from his lemonade stand to start his own soda company, his father did not believe that his 9-year old son was ready to run a business and encouraged him to wait until he was older. However, Kent did not want to wait and reasoned that he has everything he needs while there are many other kids with autism that cannot do the things they want or get the things they need. Kent’s vision is to foster positive social development of children with autism.
Kent believes that “anything is possible”. With this personal motto in mind, Kent has overcome his anxiety of autism and wants to encourage other kids with autism to do the same and know that they are just as capable as he is. Kent’s dream draws deep meaning and relates directly to kids with autism. Through the initiation of this social enterprise, he has exhibited symptoms of autism, that of which fantasy dominates reality. Kent has overcome this by turning his fantasy into reality, and by doing so he has strived to break the chains of his communication barrier.
Article Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/12/kent-melville-autism_n_874488.html?utm_hp_ref=social-entrepreneurship