Proprietor:
Randi Sargent started her first Giving Greetings site "in fall 2002. It was expanded and re-designed as www.SayitwithSymbols.com in January 2008."
Business Description:
"Giving Greetings is a resource for parents and professionals who support children with communication disorders and autism who use visual and picture symbols to communicate," Sargent explains. "I design awareness-building cards, gifts, and visual supports used by families, teachers, and therapists."
Parenting Connection:
Sargent and her husband, Peter, are parents to two beautiful children. Their son "has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy with cognitive delays, for lack of any better diagnosis. Because tests are only as good as the current technology, we periodically revisit testing and re-do some previous tests as the procedures improve." At age 12, "he cannot walk independently and drives a power wheelchair. He’s an excellent driver! He cannot talk and uses augmentative communication. Our son loves books, and it is our hope that he will learn to read."
Entrepreneurial Inspiration:
"In the process of helping our son communicate, our home became infused with visual supports and picture symbols," Sargent recalls. "I realized that these symbols held special significance and familiarity to special educators and families. Why not create something that builds community awareness for our kids with communication challenges and helps deserving organizations at the same time?"
Getting Started:
Sargent took her idea to Mayer-Johnson, maker of augmentative communication products, and got a licensing agreement. "My idea for combining picture symbols with charity cards was realized as Symbolic Sentiments. I started designing note cards with an important message of awareness for non-verbal kids. I then built my own web site and orders started coming in from parents and special educators across the country. Families and teachers purchased my cards for school-year-end and holiday giving."
Success Story:
Sargent considers her business a success: "I create and offer easy to use, practical and upbeat products that help parents help their children achieve independence, and educate the community." The products also come in handy for her son, who "uses several of my products to share news with his teachers and classmates -- true field testing!" Sargent now carries augmentative communication products, Boardmaker software, and other communication aids from Attainment Company, AbleNet, Augmentative Resources, and other book publishers.
Time Investment:
Giving Greetings is a full-time job for Sargent at the moment, "in addition to being there and advocating for my kids, who are now both in school all day. I am also an active board member at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, a Boston-based organization that provides advocacy training for parents of children with special education and health-care needs."
Pros and Cons:
Sargent says the best thing about having the business is "meeting, helping, and sharing ideas with parents and professionals who support our kids." The hardest thing? "When you own your own business, there are endless decisions to make and constant challenges to your time. It’s never done, always something to be done ASAP. Oh, and my office (part business, part home, and part medical files) could use a makeover!"
Future Plans:
"I would like to see SayitwithSymbols.com become a first-stop resource for parents and educators who work with young children who are just starting out using visual supports and augmentative communication," Sargent says. "There are so many easy-to-implement ideas that can help children participate more fully in family and community life."
Professional Advice:
For other parents considering starting a business, Sargent advises that "it’s a lot of work and lots of hours. During the holiday season I live on five hours a night of sleep, but it’s what I want to be doing." On a personal level, she recommends that parents of children with special needs keep it real. "We have tried to give our son as normal a life as possible. He does a balance of therapeutic and recreational activities. Definitely consider having another child if possible," adds Sargent, who has a daughter five years younger than her son. "The risk was outweighed by the benefits to us all."
