Kent Melville, Autistic 9-Year-Old, Starts Soda Business To Help Other Autistic Children

Kent Melville's father was skeptical when his son first said that he wanted to use the profits from his successful summer lemonade stand to start his own soda company. Aaron Melville, who teaches business classes at a local college, did not believe his 9-year-old autistic son was ready to run his own business.

Kent was determined to do something to help others with autism, however, which inspired his father to reconsider. Aaron described on a Facebook page for the organization, why he decided to help his son start Kent's Soda after initially encouraging him to wait until he was older.

Kent pondered that for a minute. He then looked at me and said "Dad, I have everything I need right now, but there are lots of other kids with autism that can't do the things they want or need. I want to be able to help them get some of the things they want with the money we earn. Can't we start now? I don't want to wait." I had never been prouder. With a tear of gratitude in my eye, I agreed.

Though he has enlisted the help of his parents, students at a local community college, and members of the faculty, The Caledonian Record describes how the young entrepreneur is taking charge of his business.

Kent has chosen the flavors himself, and they currently include root beer, orange, lemonade, raspberry limeade, grape, strawberry and cream soda. Kent plans to add an additional flavor each year. The first one will be root beer mixed with orange.

He has come up with a marketing plans that will include a giant root beer volcano, and rejects others ideas when he doesn't agree with them.

One proposal suggested targeting a market of soda pop buyers in an age group from 13 to 24. Kent's response was, "What? Are you stupid? That would mean I couldn't drink my own soda."

Gimundo reports that Kent's sodas were featured at the 2011 Johnsbury World Maple Festival earlier this year. They are also sold at a local farm, a nearby restaurant, and the old-fashioned way -- from a stand set up near Kent's house.

Kent's Soda may outgrow the stand quickly, however. According to The Caledonian Record Kent and his family have high hopes for the small company.

A bottler was signed up and the first 24 cases of Kent's soda was turned out by the Walpole, N.H., company, which says he can keep up with 25,000 bottles at a time, but may have to rework things if sales really take off.

Flickr photo by wholehole.

Comments

[Achieve Beyond]

10:43 AM on 06/17/2011

This is a great feel good story and the reason why we at Achieve Beyond pediatric therapy and autism services feel that children with autism are such a joy to work with. They have so much passion, drive and creativity. We wish Kent, his family and all the children he has helped with his soda the best of luck in future endeavors.

[Michelle Melville]

10:50 PM on 06/14/2011

I have not desired to respond to comments simply because I am Kent's mother, but I feel it is important to address this accusation that he is not autistic enough. Kent was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 after a year of observations and testings. He can not look at individual directly in the eye, has gone through many bouts of severe headbanging, and although he does not cut (and I hope that doesn't happen) he does pull his hair out in massive quantities. He works daily to be "programmed" to do simple things, because those things are not in the realm of his fixations. Yes, I would label him as "high-functioning", but that doesn't equate to being easier than other types of autism. It simply means that his challenges are different from other children on the spectrum. He probably falls closer to the an Aspergers diagnoses, but didn't receive that because he has speech delays. Kent has many talents and challenges both probably due to his having autism. We have inches of testing, evaluations, and IEPs, as well as doctors and therapists that conclude he has autism. To ignore this and not seek the extra help he needs would be neglect on our parts. We simply encourage him to be his best self and to be proud of who he is. We love him for the way he is and wouldn't want him to be anything different. Thank you for all the kind words of encouragment.

[ikanclosen]

01:06 AM on 06/15/2011

I am sure you love your child as much as I love mine and we both have to deal with their disorders and continue to stimulate them. My only concern here was the story, and it may have been glorified to attract readers as the press usually does to sell them, but if my son, at the age of 9, came up to me and said he wanted to start a business to help autistic children, I would of broken down and cried for joy, as I would of considered that a "miracle" and a major breakthrough for him....but I have never seen nor have heard something like this happening with any of the thousands of autistic parents that I have come to know over the last 23 years.

[ikanclosen]

01:26 AM on 06/15/2011

One other question Michelle: Did you son receive any shots prior to the tests? They could have been 6 months back as sometimes the effect of the mercury can take some time. Also, please look into the theory of testosterone and mercury as it explains why 85% of children with Autism and Aspergers are male. It will blow your mind, and I hope bring back the investigation that our government is trying to whitewash.

[Dana1982]

08:38 PM on 06/14/2011

It's sad to see that this kid is using child labor to make himself rich. Clearly he needs to be arested and his business shut down right away.

[craftycrow]

01:10 PM on 06/14/2011

My cousin has Asperger's, and she can't have soda...even with artificial sweeteners.

[JOHNSPEAKS]

12:22 PM on 06/14/2011

This story is a liberal -Hoax- because an -Autistic- child with medium to severe -Autism- can't do what his father says his son can do? Matter of fact this liberal -Hoax- is a slap in the face of anybody that has a child with real -Autism-...

[ikanclosen]

06:51 PM on 06/14/2011

I totally agree with you John and its comforting to know that someone here understands that this child is not a true autistic. I have an autistic child, and when he was diagnosed with autism at 30 months old, back in 1988, my first question to the doctor was " why did this happen? (no doubt in my mind in was the MMR shot he got a month earlier that contained mercury)-- "He was a totally normal child up to about two weeks ago and now he doesn't eat the same foods, wont' look me in the eye, rocks back and forth, covers his ears even to the sound of the overhead fan, doesn't talk anymore, and cant concentrate on anything for more than 20 seconds." With constant one-on-one involvement with him we finally got him to focus on somethhing- bathroom training was't complete until he was 7! He finally , after 18 years, was able to take a job at the local grocery as a bagger, but can only work 3 hours / 3 times a week due to his condition. If you read the rest of my posts here you will understand my reasoning here. This is all part of a major cover-up in diluting the autism spectrum with hundreds of thousands of unqualified cases to divert the attention away from the real reason why autism increased 6600 % from 1991 to 2001. yes thats right six THOUSAND percent between those years. Wake up everybody!

[mybigword]

07:23 PM on 06/14/2011

Trying to understand the vitriol here. You are bashing a kid and his family for starting an organizations whos mission is to help children with autism (including your own) have some positive social interaction. These people are trying to ease your burden and you are running them down. How ungrateful can you be?

[Abraxas Discala]

06:15 PM on 06/13/2011

I applaud Kent’s convictions, and am glad to see his father’s support – entrepreneurs young and old rely on the support of their families to execute their vision. This family provides another great example of how young people can be encouraged to pursue their great ideas, in spite of (or in light of) the obstacles facing them.

[Bill Burk]

04:46 PM on 06/13/2011

He should try makiung the soda with Stevia. Aspertane is VERY toxic and should NEVER have bedd approved for usage. It is just as bad if not worse than high frutoce corn syrup

[ontariogirl]

02:52 PM on 06/13/2011

You go kiddo! :))

[Ranveig Elvebakk]

02:16 PM on 06/13/2011

Good for you, just make it sugarless, Kent. Soda is most inflammatory to the body because of its high sugar content, and one of the things that have been looked at in terms of causing autism-

[scprindiville]

01:24 PM on 06/13/2011

If you have ever met this family, you will find that they are a sweet, most giving and nurturing family. They do this to help their high-functioning autistic son so he may possibly have a career in the future, NOT to help further the career of the father (who is doing quite well without any ties to the soda business). I don't understand how this is a fake story or a fake family, seeing as I am a friend of the family. They are truly wonderful people and only have the best of intent for Kent. It's pretty sad when people who don't even know them are commenting on how the child cannot possibly be autistic or that the father is bolstering his career. Go on the site, get to know the family before you make assumptions.

[ikanclosen]

03:35 PM on 06/13/2011

This is not about his family but the diagnosis of autism and how it has broadened to include a normal acting child that may have another disorder. A truely austistic child CANNOT reason, and as such, cannot suggest that he wants to start a soda pop business to help other AUTISTIC children. An autistic child doesn't even KNOW what autism is let alone even remotely understand business. They are shut out from the world and in most cases cannot even look you in the eye. It takes years of "programming" an autistic child just to learn how to handle basic functions of survival. My point was that true autism and its original diagnosis would not ever considered placing this child in it's category.

[mandynicole]

08:14 PM on 06/13/2011

"A truely austistic child CANNOT reason, and as such, cannot suggest that he wants to start a soda pop business to help other AUTISTIC children. An autistic child doesn't even KNOW what autism is let alone even remotely understand business."

You have no idea what you're talking about. Please stop spreading whatever nonsense you're on all over the internet.

As a sibling of a mostly high-functioning Autistic (in that he is only somewhat social), I can assure you he is well aware that he is not a normal child (something made even more prevalent by ignorant classmates), and the idea that no Autistic can reason is absolutely beyond me. You either need to spend more time around these wonderful people, or you need to stop speaking on behalf of them, because right now you are a damn fool and it's called a spectrum for a reason.

[Aviva21]

07:18 AM on 06/14/2011

The autism spectrum is much wider than Kanner's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome and PDD-NOS are autism spectrum disorders as well, and as such, people who suffer from them are refered to as autistic. Get over yourself, please.

[BobaFont]

11:59 PM on 06/12/2011

Nice to read things like this. Selflessness is a lost character trait. Imwish him all the best.

[TWeissMA]

09:30 PM on 06/12/2011

A child, with autism, who is capable of demonstrating this much love for other children.

It makes you wonder what has happened to so many others.

[TWeissMA]

09:32 PM on 06/12/2011

Meaning what has happened to so many adults without any form of disabilities whatsoever.

[ikanclosen]

10:50 AM on 06/13/2011

It is very simple, this child is not really autistic.

[thats what you get]

12:52 PM on 06/13/2011

and you got that conclusion how??

[Midnightrain]

03:40 PM on 06/13/2011

Or very high functioning.

[Daniel Hanley]

07:52 PM on 06/12/2011

a giant root beer volcano would be awesome. the kid's got a vision!

[Aaron Melville]

01:06 PM on 06/13/2011

Triggered by vanilla ice cream!

[legaleagle4]

07:06 PM on 06/12/2011

As an Aspie, I'm happier than ever to hear about stuff like this! Go, Kent!

[ikanclosen]

10:48 AM on 06/13/2011

If you believe this story, I have some land to sell you. This child is not autistic, I have an autistic child.

[capcelayeta]

11:11 AM on 06/13/2011

A lot of us have children with autism spectrum disorder, your comment makes me fell like you don't or are not as involved as you should be there are different degrees and severities of the disorder. My child may not speak much at almost five, but she shows love and affection like other kids. She is always trying to help a take care of those around her. This boy is amassing, if we believed in our kids more and didn't treat them like they were an accessory they mite surprise all of us.

[thats what you get]

12:56 PM on 06/13/2011

negative nancy, my child is more autistic than this child it must be a fake story! i have a cousin who is autistic and let me tell you she was making recipes by 9 and wrote her own short story by 13! smart as a whip yet get her in a overstimulated situation and she cant handle it! loud noises and lots of people will freak her out! its a spectrum disorder slight to severe symptoms!! get a grip!

[see-ellen2001]

05:59 PM on 06/12/2011

Posting this on my school boards intranet :)