Gifts That Give: Extraordinary Gifts
Extraordinary Gifts is a Chapel Hill, NC-based social enterprise that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.
The team handcrafts scented candles and soaps that are sold online, at in-person markets, and at retailers such as Whole Foods and the North Carolina Aquariums gift shops.
We spoke with employees of Extraordinary Gifts in July 2025 to gain a deeper understanding of their mission and its impact.
How it began
In 2007, several families with neurodivergent children founded a nonprofit called Extraordinary Ventures. The Extraordinary Ventures mission is to create small businesses that provide meaningful jobs for an often-overlooked workforce: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"Extraordinary Ventures has been in existence for over 15 years now, and it came out of a group of really concerned parents whose kids were graduating from high school and had no place to transition to for adulthood. Employment opportunities were really limited. So this group of parents decided to form an organization and try to start new businesses, with the intent of hiring as many adults as they could."
A serious employment gap exists for this population. As a result of negative stigma, the traditional job market rarely taps this pool of talent, even though they can be excellent employees.
Called "the cliff," this is where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities get through high school, and then the services and opportunities drop off.
In North Carolina, the unemployment rate is 3.5%. For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the rate is 80%.
Extraordinary Gifts is one of six businesses that operate under the Extraordinary Ventures umbrella.
The power of purposeful work
The Extraordinary Gifts team is made up of dedicated employees, many of whom have found a sense of pride in their work pouring candles and soaps.
Employees are given the support they need to build confidence and develop their skills, and they appreciate the opportunity to work at their own pace.
“Our employees really enjoy the routine of making candles and soaps. We all find that coming in and going through the process of the mixing and the pouring, just creating something that smells good and makes people happy—it's therapeutic."
The jobs created by Extraordinary Ventures and its businesses provide more than just a purpose. Employees have the opportunity to earn a living and experience the pride that comes from being part of a team.
As one employee shared, it’s a chance to prove to themselves and to others that they are capable, they can persevere, and they matter.
photos above courtesy of Extraordinary Ventures's Instagram: @extraordinaryventures
Find Extraordinary Gifts online: Shop | Facebook | Instagram
Want to see your business story featured on our site?
We’re eager to share empowering stories that will inspire other makers to grow their ideas into successful businesses.
Shoot a brief email to [email protected] introducing yourself and your candle business. Your story might be the next one we feature on the website!