Saskatchewan contestant wins ‘entrepreneurs with disabilities’ cash

Watch the video above: Saskatchewan contestant wins ‘entrepreneurs with disabilities’ cash

OUTLOOK, Sask. – Hard work and determination has paid off for a young lady from Outlook Saskatchewan who won the ‘Just Watch Me’ video contest run by the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program.

Twenty-year-old Taylor Layton  was awarded the winning cheque on Wednesday. The moment was emotional and heart-warming as Layton teared up, let out a few excited shouts, and turned to her mom for a well-deserved hug.

Layton has down syndrome and struggled to find employment in her home town. A couple years ago she and her mother, Eloise, started Taylor’s Curbside Recycling.

The business is growing by leaps and bounds according to Layton.

“I have 59 customers now and I love it,” she bubbles. “I love the customers! They’re a part of my family.”

For a monthly fee, Layton personally picks up customer’s recyclables every Monday and sorts the materials at the local depot. It’s a lot of work but it earns her a respectable wage and offers locals a service they wouldn’t otherwise have.

“The feeling of pride is just… I can’t even begin,” said Eloise Layton.

Layton submitted a heartwarming video of her business to the Just Watch Me video contest and beat out all other Saskatchewan and Manitoba competitors.

Organizer Michelle Hooey credits Layton’s charming personality which permeates her video submission.

“I saw lots of comments where people were brought to tears by the time they were done watching it so I think that in itself propelled her to the win,” said Hooey.

With four finalists, Layton easily took first place with a landslide 48 per cent of the vote.

Elizabeth Pfeiffer, the vice principal of Outlook High School, said classmates threw their support behind Layton.

“Whoever is tracking the votes is able to see the IP addresses of wherever the votes are coming from so they can see a good portion are coming from out students,” explained Pfeiffer.

Layton’s submission also generated votes from the U.S.A, Finland, Mexico and Australia.

Eloise hopes other parent’s of children with down syndrome find inspiration in Taylor’s story.

“I hope they see it and think maybe they can, maybe they can’t, but nobody knows until you try.”

By winning the contest, Layton received $1,000 and business development resources. As word spread about Layton’s business, a neighbouring town is already interested in the service and could soon be signing on with an additional 30 customers.

Layton plans to use her winnings to purchase a trailer to deal with the additional volume of recyclables.

She has something else in mind too.

“I need some new jewellery,” she said quietly. “Don’t tell Mom!”

Eloise overheard the whisper and proclaims her daughter as a glamour gal who deserves a little bling for all the hard work.