News & Events
See what’s happening at Extraordinary Ventures.
Extraordinary Ventures
200 S. Elliott Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
info@extraordinaryventures.org
Extraordinary Ventures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN: 11-3808390.
Events
Events
Inclusive Business Spring Gift Market
Join us for the annual Inclusive Business Spring Gift Market on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures!
All vendors are local disability-owned small businesses or inclusive employers. Shop a wide range of unique handcrafted gifts including candles, wreaths, wood & metal gifts, food, pottery, original art, and more.
Visit our Extraordinary Gifts table to pick up our handmade scented candles and natural soaps for Mother’s Day, teacher gifts, birthdays, and even yourself.
News
Extraordinary Ventures Early Spring 2025 Newsletter
In case you missed it, catch up on all of the latest news and upcoming events at Extraordinary Ventures. It’s going to be a busy spring!
Extraordinary Ventures 2024 Annual Report
Discover the life-changing impact and achievements at Extraordinary Ventures in 2024. We are pleased to share with you our Annual Report, highlighting the many benefits of inclusive employment at Extraordinary Ventures for our employees with autism / IDD. From increased financial independence to learning new skills to fostering community and belonging, there is much to celebrate!
Extraordinary Ventures Earned the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency
We are please to announce that Extraordinary Ventures has achieved the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency. Candid (Guidestar) awards the Platinum Seal, their highest honor, to non-profits who demonstrate a commitment to openly sharing data with the public, including financials, program metrics, goals, leadership, achievements, and more.
December 2024 Newsletter: Happy Holidays from Extraordinary Ventures!
Our annual employee holiday party was epic! See the photos from the party and check out all of the amazing things that Extraordinary Ventures employees accomplished this year. From Blue Hill Event Center winning Best Event Space in Chapel Hill (again!) to our Extraordinary Gifts candles getting carried at every Whole Foods Market in North Carolina, the employees of our 6 small businesses achieved a lot in 2024!
Inclusive Business Holiday Gift Market
Join us for the annual Inclusive Business Holiday Gift Market at Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures! It’s the perfect time to wrap up your holiday shopping while supporting local businesses committed to employing an inclusive workforce.
When: Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Blue Hill Event Center 200 S. Elliott Rd., Chapel Hill, NC
Be sure to visit our Extraordinary Gifts table to pick up seasonal, Christmas, and locally themed handmade candles and soaps handcrafted by neurodiverse workforce at Extraordinary Ventures.
Over $1000 Raised for Hurricane Helene Relief Fundraiser to Benefit The Arc!
Thank you very much to everyone who purchased a Carolina Coast square candle in October 2024 for the fundraiser to benefit The Arc of North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene Relief Fund. The fund is helping their staff in western North Carolina rebuild their lives after the devastating hurricane so they can continue to support people with IDD.
Lisa Poteat, the Interim Executive Director of The Arc of North Carolina shared, “They have been very grateful for the outpouring of support from so many across the state…we appreciate you all!”
Disability Employment Awareness Month
Extraordinary Ventures Executive Director Lisa Kaylie and Jacklyn Boheler of B3 Coffee joined 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck on “On Air Today” on October 25, 2024 for Disability Employment Awareness Month. The discussion covered the benefits – and dispelled the myths – of hiring people with developmental disabilities.
Lisa Kaylie Interviewed on WHUP Radio
Extraordinary Ventures Executive Director Lisa Kaylie and Jacklyn Boheler of B3 Coffee were interviewed on WHUP radio on October 22, 2024. They discussed Disability Employment Awareness Month and the benefits of inclusive employment. The interview starts at the 25 minute mark.
Hurricane Helene Relief Fundraiser to Benefit The Arc in Western North Carolina
For the month of October 2024, Extraordinary Ventures will donate $15 of every Carolina Coast square candle sold to The Arc of North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene Relief Fund. The fund will be used to help their staff in western North Carolina rebuild their lives after the devastating hurricane. By supporting the staff of The Arc, you make it possible for them to continue supporting people with IDD and their families in the areas most affected by the storm.
Vote for Extraordinary Ventures as Best Non-Profit!
We are honored to be a finalist for Best Non-Profit in Orange & Chatham Counties in the Indy Best of the Triangle 2024 awards! Please take a moment to vote for Extraordinary Ventures and share with a friend.
Late Summer 2024 Newsletter
Almost 100 employees, family, and friends gathered for our luau themed employee cookout on August 21st. Extraordinary Ventures is a finalist in the Indy Best of the Triangle Awards. We remember Charlie, the first Extraordinary Pet.
Extraordinary Ventures Featured in Article About NC Inclusive Employers
Extraordinary Ventures was featured in a July 2024 article “These 7 NC businesses proudly employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Work Together NC helped create the list of the seven local businesses who create meaningful employment opportunities for adults with IDD. Other featured businesses included organizations who have partnered with Extraordinary Ventures for Inclusive Business Gift Markets and other events, such as Esteamed Coffee and HANDmeUPs Thrift Store.
Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures Voted Best Event Space in Chapel Hill
Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures has been voted the Best Event Space in Chapel Hill in July 2024! Blue Hill was chosen as a readers’ favorite in the 13th annual Chapel Hill Magazine “Best of” competition. Discover why our premium flexible event space is the best place in Chapel Hill to host your next event.
Extraordinary Ventures Recognized as an IDD Inclusive Employer
Extraordinary Ventures has been officially recognized as an IDD Inclusive Employer by Work Together NC. We are proud to be part of a growing list of employers in the Triangle and across North Carolina who are committed to hiring an inclusive workforce.
Extraordinary Ventures Summer 2024 Newsletter
Get all the latest news from Extraordinary Ventures, including Blue Hill Event Center employees celebrating their 15th work anniversaries, our annual Employee and Board Appreciation Lunch, and UNC football gameday parking passes for sale.
Lisa Kaylie Interviewed on WHUP Radio
Executive Director Lisa Kaylie was interviewed on WHUP radio on April 15, 2024. It was a wide-ranging discussion about topics related to Autism Awareness Month.
Autism Awareness Month: Checking in with Extraordinary Ventures
Executive Director Lisa Kaylie joined 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck on “On Air Today” on April 12, 2024 to chat about Autism Awareness Month. Topics included our six local businesses, which employ dozens of neurodiverse residents in our community, and the Spring Inclusive Business Market on April 13th.
Hometown Hero: Executive Director Lisa Kaylie
January 29, 2024 – This week’s Chapelboro Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Extraordinary Ventures Executive Director Lisa Kaylie!
“Kaylie’s work as a volunteer, education, mentor and voice everywhere from Extraordinary Ventures to local schools has made her an invaluable resource to our community.”
Disability Employment Awareness Month: “Talking Books” with Lisa Kaylie
Executive Director Lisa Kaylie joined 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck on “Talking Books” on October 18, 2023 to promote October as Disability Employment Awareness Month, the work of Extraordinary Ventures, and the benefits of employing adults with I/DD. Ms. Kaylie’s book recommendation was “The Power of Potential,” about how hiring a non-traditional workforce benefits businesses.
Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures Voted Best Event Space in Chapel Hill
Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures has been voted the Best Event Space in Chapel Hill in July 2023! Blue Hill was chosen as a readers’ favorite in the 12th annual Chapel Hill Magazine “Best of” competition. Discover why our premium flexible event space is the best place in Chapel Hill to host your next event.
Extraordinary Ventures Honored as Community Impact Award Finalist
Extraordinary Ventures was honored as a Community Impact Award Finalist in the 2023 Business Excellence Awards by The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro on June 16, 2023. Executive Director Lisa Kaylie and longtime employee Amanda had a great time representing Extraordinary Ventures at the awards and sharing our mission.
On Air Today: ‘The Buzz at Blue Hill’ with Lisa Kaylie
Executive Director Lisa Kaylie was interviewed by Aaron Keck of 97.9 The Hill WCHL on May 10, 2023. The discussion ranged from Blue Hill Event Center, why adults with I/DD make such great employees, to the latest on all the ventures at Extraordinary Ventures.
Spring 2023 Newsletter
Over 50 Extraordinary Ventures employees, staff, and board of directors members came together on April 11, 2023 for a great appreciation lunch at Blue Hill Event Center. Extraordinary Office Solutions was featured in the venture spotlight; they recently installed a state-of-the-art bulk mailing machine that dramatically increased their capacity to take on new jobs.
Orange Slices Feature: “Helping Autistic & Developmentally Disabled Young Adults Thrive in Chapel Hill”
Visit Chapel Hill recently wrote a feature about Extraordinary Ventures in “Orange Slices” describing our mission and small businesses: “Extraordinary Ventures is located in Chapel Hill and is best known for its public facing event center on Elliott Road, across from Whole Foods. What people don’t realize is that Extraordinary Ventures is an umbrella organization that operates many businesses that employ a neurodiverse workforce.”
Happy Holidays from Extraordinary Ventures!
The employee holiday party on December 16, 2022 was a lot of fun. Our employees have told us that getting together for parties is one of their favorite ways to be appreciated. Thanks to our generous donors who make these events possible!
Fall 2022 Newsletter
As we continue to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, we’d like to give a heartfelt thanks to our dedicated employees, community partners, and loyal supporters who make what we do at Extraordinary Ventures possible.
Extraordinary Ventures Hosts Inclusive Employment Summit
Attendees included over 120 local employers, entrepreneurs, self-advocates, service providers, and family members.
Summer 2022 Newsletter
It has been a busy summer so far at Extraordinary Ventures! See the latest news and get a sneak preview of what’s coming up this fall.
Extraordinary Ventures Showcased on PORCH Blog
PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro, a small grassroots hunger relief organization, rents the Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures every month to process food donations to distribute to local families, pantries, and schools. This month, Extraordinary Ventures was featured as a community partner on their blog.
Spring 2022 Newsletter
Celebrating 15 Years! Catch up on all the good news, including an employee appreciation luncheon.
Daily Tar Heel Feature: “Full of ideas and passion”
Extraordinary Ventures, a company with the goal of creating businesses employed by a neurodiverse workforce, hired Lisa Kaylie as their new executive director on March 1.
Hometown Hero: Kwame Alston!
This week’s Chapelboro Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Kwame Alston from Extraordinary Ventures.
Chapelboro Feature
Made in NC: Extraordinary Ventures Gifts: Giving The Gift of Opportunity – Chapelboro feature about Extraordinary Gifts, which offers soy candles, bath, and body products, all crafted by adults with developmental disabilities in Chapel Hill.
