Published March 12, 2025
Creativity, entrepreneurship and community were on full display at the Inclusive Creations Fair at Forest View Educational Center. Over 20 student-run microbusinesses from District 214 and surrounding school districts, along with local entrepreneurs and businesses supporting individuals with disabilities, gathered to showcase their unique creations. From handmade jewelry and soaps to delicious baked goods and art, the fair was a vibrant celebration of young talent and entrepreneurial spirit.
The event was designed to support and empower students with disabilities, offering them a platform to share their unique creations with the community. Nicole McCormick, D214 Special Education Teacher, was instrumental in organizing the fair, which became an incredible success. “Starting your own business is one career pathway our students are interested in and the fair sparked some of their own ideas,” said McCormick, who helped connect schools and programs to make the event possible.
With students, staff and local transition programs in attendance, the fair was a lively space where everyone came together to shop and network. “It’s amazing to see the talent and all of the different products from each vendor in one space,” McCormick shared, emphasizing the impact of the event in boosting student confidence and skill-building.
One of the student vendors was Asher Martinez, a junior at Buffalo Grove High School, who, along with his team, ran their student business Bison Achieve. They sold seasoning packets that turn into flavorful dips. Asher was excited to share, “We had a lot of sales on our French onion dip, so make sure to buy it if we come back!” Asher gained confidence in his salesmanship, explaining, “Once I really got the hang of it, it was just sale after sale after sale.” He also spoke about the value of working together with his classmates, saying, “We all built our confidence up and I love it. Working together made this experience even better.”
Buffalo Grove High School’s Bison Achieve microbusiness offered flavorful dip seasoning packets at the fair.
Luis Reyes, a student in the D214 life program, also had his own business at the fair. Luis, a budding photographer, sold his pictures of trains, planes and automobiles. "I'm really excited to show off my photos, build my interests, my skills and all these good photos I took," he said with pride. Luis’s passion for photography was clear as he explained how he had been taking pictures since 2022 and was eager to turn his hobby into a business.
The fair was not just about selling products; it was a hands-on experience for students to develop vital skills. “The transferable skills are so important—social skills, greeting customers, talking about the steps that you did to create your products,” McCormick highlighted. The fair offered an opportunity for students to practice budgeting, problem-solving, and even marketing their creations—skills that will last a lifetime.
Reflecting on the success of the event, McCormick shared her hopes for the future: “I hope that this inspires the students that walk through today to start their own business or Etsy or to really let their abilities grow and be creative.” The Inclusive Creations Fair is just the beginning, opening doors for future entrepreneurs to shine.
D214 life student Luis Reyes proudly displays his photos for sale.
