Vending Machine Business Owner/Operator
Zulauf was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition in what the retina slowly degrades over time and leads to vision loss. Even so, this disability never caused any major problems until he was an adult. That’s when his vision impairment led to transportation problems for work.
“My eye doctor wouldn’t sign off on my license and immediately after that I lost my job and was unemployed for eight months to a year,” he said. “That lit something in me to where I had to figure out my next step in life.”
Zulauf connected with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Counselor Meredith Perry. With the support of WV DRS and Perry, Zulauf received assistive technology and startup funds for his new business. Additionally, the agency’s Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program enabled him to hire an employee to drive him around and assist with day-to-day tasks.
“Cole is basically his own boss and I perceive that he has a very bright future. He can continue to expand his business if he wants, hire employees…whatever he wants to do,” Perry said.
Zulauf said he’s grateful to have a job that gets him out of the house and keeps him from going stir crazy. He describes himself as a people person who enjoys making connections and building relationships with everyone he meets on the job.
He gives thanks to Perry for connecting him with the Randolph Sheppard Program and everyone in that program who helped him get his business up and running.
“All of these people have helped me get to where I am today and I could not have done it without them,” he added.