Sankalp Shah is from Broadview Heights, Ohio. His career journey began about 15 years ago when he first connected with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). With OOD’s support, he was able to identify his skills and interests, which led to the development of a personalized employment plan tailored to his success.

Thirteen years ago, with OOD’s guidance, Sankalp took a significant step toward entrepreneurship by starting his own vending machine business. The first vending machine was placed at the Lakewood OOD office. Although he no longer operates there, his business continues to flourish in various other locations, providing snacks and soda to his customers.

Sankalp Shah is a remarkable athlete participating in the Special Olympics. He competes in various sports, including basketball, track and field, bowling, and golf.

When asked about his favorite part of running his business, Sankalp, in true athlete fashion, stated that he enjoys the lifting involved in the job!

Sankalp’s proud mother, Kalpana, plays a vital role in supporting him by assisting with transportation to maintain his machines and products. His father, Sanjay, also shares in this family achievement, highlighting the extensive support OOD has provided. Sanjay mentioned that OOD has also helped their daughter succeed in her career in special education and administration, further emphasizing the positive impact OOD has had on their family.

With heartfelt appreciation for the support received from OOD, Sanjay expressed, “I have no complaints with OOD. They helped us get there!”

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