On March 18th the guest speaker for the Extraordinary Speaker Series was Mr. Brian Rubin.
Brian Rubin (40), diagnosed with Aspergers, is the owner of Maryland Hydroponics in Laurel, Maryland. A gardening enthusiast, Brian has been interested in plants, especially hydroponics gardening, since high school. After completed two years of college, and living in Holland for 10 years, he decided to live his dream of owning a hydproponics store.
With the help of DORS, Department of Rehabilitation Services and his counselor Dusty Rhodes, he was able to win a grant, take classes and most of all his idea of becoming an entrepreneur was welcomed and supported. In addition, Brian was enrolled in the RISE program, Reach Independence Through Self Employment where again he attended classes, was helped with business plans and advised with regard marketing tools and efforts.
Brian opened his first store Maryland Hydproponics in 2003. In 2007, for the second time, the State of Maryland named him the Business Person of the Year for a person with a Disability. After the success of his flagship store, Brian has plans to expand to more locations later this year. In his spare time, he enjoys being with family, friends, cooking, travel and most of all working with his outdoor and indoor gardens.
