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Cheryl  Volkman  Knight

My Books

A Remarkable Journey

Building AbleNet

Building AbleNet is a compelling entrepreneurial adventure detailing the journey of this author, and her two co-founders, embarked on to champion the belief that children and adults with severe disabilities can be recognized as the whole and capable individuals they are, when given the tools to prove it. With innovations in assistive technology and state-of-the-art educational training programs for parents and educators, AbleNet products and services ushered impossible dreams into reality for many individuals worldwide. Building AbleNet is a powerful example of the love and commitment that is required to nurture a dream and bring it to life. This vision was so engaging it attracted many talented volunteers who helped guide them on the path from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, and eventually to an employee-owned business. It is a story that takes you through the unknown to an unimaginable achievement, filled with challenges, love, and laughter AbleNet continues today creating and selling assistive technology throughout the world.

Cheryl  Volkman  Knight

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Echoes of Florida Photo Journal 2023

As a member of the Photo Share Club of Citrus County, Cheryl contributed to the publishing of the following book now available for purchase at Franklin Anderson Gallery of the Arts. Crystal River, FL

If interested in purchasing this book, call the gallery at
352-697-2702 to order, cost is $39.00 plus shipping.

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Cheryl’s Artist Statement

Is the quiet, the stillness, the wordless beauty of life vanishing? Silence and stillness seems to be hard to find in the midst of noise from traffic, motors, media, others anger, as well as the gerbil wheel of messages which repeat in my own mind. I have spent the last 13 years writing a book and searching for the right words to convey each message. Now I crave being present with no words at all as images of Florida appear when I slow myself down and SEE the nature which surrounds me.

Two of Cheryl’s photos as they appear in Echoes of Florida

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In Carrabelle, the sun creeps up without a sound and sprinkles beauty with every waking second.

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Silently and elegantly protecting the sand beaches at Alligator Point

GILBY’S ORCHARD 2014

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF GILBY’S ORCHARD

Cheryl self published the following photo journal celebrating the growing season at a well loved apple orchard in Palisade, MN. It begins with the flowering in early spring and ends with the customers enjoying the sites in preparation for purchasing their favorite apples.

Gilby’s Orchard 2014 A Year in the Life of an Orchard

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What Readers are Saying

Clearly explains her process and commitment



As someone who has been in the Special Education field and working in adaptive communication the same time as AbleNet, I related immensely to Cheryl's detailed and well described story. Unfortunately our paths never crossed until I was out of the Special Education field, but I wished they had. The process is explained so well and detailed for anyone who wants suggestions on starting up a business. Cheryl doesn't sugar coat things and is vey open about successes and learning opportunities. She credits all her team members and makes the story theirs too. Highly recommended

Hi Dee Ho

Must read for women business owners

This book is an amazing story of a passionate woman’s journey through her life’s work of helping the disability community. The author takes you through her unique perspective of working with children with severe disabilities and trying new ways to allow them to communicate. With the help of many charitable people they found a way to help the community in world wide scale. The author takes you through her thought process for all of the major challenges she overcame that I found very inspiring as a woman and a business manager. I would highly recommend this book for entrepreneurs and businesswomen.

Amazon Customer

I really enjoyed this book

Building AbleNet is a very well written, easy to read book about a person who, working in the field she loved, saw a need and pursued it to the end. I was impressed with her compassion for children, her observations while working with them, recognizing that something was needed to help them in some way and her tenacity toward steps to develop a product to fulfill the need.
I was also impressed with all the wonderful people who volunteered to help her in a very long quest to reach this goal. Many of them stayed on and became permanent staff, each having their own strengths which she acknowledges throughout this book. And it was also heartwarming to hear the stories of the children and families whose lives were changed because of a switch.
After reading this book, I want to find out more about their products that help people that are challenged perform simple tasks that give them a sort of freedom and sense of worth they wouldn’t have otherwise.
I want to thank Cheryl Volkman Knight for her very inspiring book about the goodness of people and what can be done when they all work together toward one goal.

Linda

Exciting Business Adventure

In her recently released book on the creation and development of AbleNet, Cheryl has captured the essence of the inspiration, dedication and talent that has made AbleNet the success it is today. Cheryl deserves a very large portion of the credit that is demonstrated by both the market acceptance of AbleNet products and the financial success achieved for the employees, who are the ESOP owners.
I first met Cheryl when she came into my office to explain her original idea and objective, which is now the successful organization it is today. Must admit, much of the thought running through my head was “You’re going to do what?”. But the original ideas have prevailed through the talents she has achieved, plus the hard work and dedication from others that have been attracted into the ideals of the organization.
The book is both the story of an exciting business adventure and a text on how to develop an idea into a successful business, without losing control over the idea, or by taking on excessive financial risk. It is the story of dedication and acquiring the skills that achieve an American Dream.

William C Sproull, PhD

Inspiring and practical

What an amazing memoir and practical description of AbleNet’s team and journey!
Lots of learning and serendipity inspired by creating an environment where everyone can participate. It was well worth the effort Cheryl !

Rachel Wobschall

Supporting the Vision


Building AbleNet is a wonderfully personal journey about starting a company based on a simple idea – empowering all individuals to reach their human potential. The story walks you through the trials, tribulations, and triumphs, but what makes it unique from any other entrepreneurial adventure about a start-up company is the author and co-founder’s ability to see her strengths and limitations during the journey.

Jen Thalhuber - CEO AbleNet

Inspiring and practical


What an amazing memoir and practical description of Ablenet’s team and journey!
Lots of learning and serendipity inspired by creating an environment where everyone can participate. It was well worth the effort Cheryl !

Rachel Wobschall

Exciting Business Adventure


In her recently released book on the creation and development of AbleNet, Cheryl has captured the essence of the inspiration, dedication and talent that has made AbleNet the success it is today. Cheryl deserves a very large portion of the credit that is demonstrated by both the market acceptance of AbleNet products and the financial success achieved for the employees, who are the ESOP owners...

Bill S.

Very interesting and educational


If someone is starting a company. How to build a company from scratch One person found this helpful

Susan Murzyn