Behind the stall is 26-year-old Jordan Jewell, a Rockingham local with autism, alongside his business partner and biggest supporter, his mum Yvonne.
Every Sunday, Jordan runs his DVD business at the markets, but preparation begins earlier in the week, and by the end of each market, preparation for the next one is already underway.
Jordan spends his week organising, cleaning stock, receiving donations, gathering new stock with the help of his mum, and catching up with his passion for movies, spending his time at the cinemas frequently.
His passion for movies began long before his business existed. While other children went through the phases of trains, cars, and dinosaurs, Jordan’s was film, and it has never changed.
In school, Jordan was organised a work placement at a local cinema, but the cleaning duties were difficult.
Then there was the experience at Salvos, but Jordan wanted to handle DVDs, not clothes. Following along with more attempts of work experience, picking up roadside rubbish, and cleaning public barbecues.
Yvonne felt frustrated, and still does to this day, “it’s wrong because it’s like, oh well, you are disabled, so let’s give you a crappy job”.
From passion to micro-business
Eventually, a support provider recommended that Yvonne to build on Jordan’s passion and create a microbusiness
Eight years ago, the business started with one trestle table, a cheap tent, and some DVDs and movie toys found around the house.
“I had T-shirts printed in Bali and even caps to promote his stall,” Yvonne said.
Eight years on, the business looks very different, stocking DVDs that are second-hand, brand new, across almost every genre, all at a cheap price.
This business has turned into a full-time commitment for Yvonne, with her house, shed, and garage stacked with their stock of boxes of DVDs.
Yvonne says since running the business, it’s given Jordan a sense of importance and purpose.
“I didn’t expect it to last as long as it has, Jordan tends to give up on things quite easily.
“He has taken on the responsibility of jobs each week to prepare for the weekend, and he will even go as far as to make sure that I’ve got work for when his business partners come over.”
More than just a market stall
Jordan’s role at the stall is real and meaningful. He can develop his social skills by interacting with customers, and he learns how to handle money and perform calculations, all with the help of his mum and stepdad. In a traditional workplace, he would struggle without their support.
Michele Wiahart, the manager of the Rockingham Rotary market says she has noticed this since Jordan has been a stall holder.
“He has a good support basis in his mum and other family members. I’ve seen how mum has supported him in dealings with the public where Jordan can take payments, give change and find DVDs for customers.”
Every Sunday morning, his mum and stepdad set up the stall and then drive back home to wake Jordan, have breakfast, and bring him to the markets. This routine works, and for Jordan, routine is everything.
But not every Sunday is easy, there’s been moments that have tested them both.
“One customer turned to Jordan and said, ‘what are you, stupid?’”
Yvonne stepped in immediately and talked to the customer, but the damage was already done.
“It really ruined our day”, she says.
“I wish people understood that a disability isn’t always something that you can see and that in talking to him, you need to keep the language simple, not bombard him with too much information and give time for him to process the question.”
Without business and the market, she says, the picture would be very different.
“I’m always worried about the future, without the business, I think he would become isolated, lonely, and depressed, and I worry when people stop buying from us what the future will hold for Jordan, as he is so inflexible”
For now, the market keeps Jordan busy, purposeful, and socially connected.
The Rockingham Rotary Markets have given him the chance to turn his passion into reality and find a place where he belongs.
For Jordan, it feels like Hollywood.
