We were lucky to catch up with Patrick Bardsley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Patrick, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Spectrum Designs was a business born out of necessity. Adults on the autism spectrum have an unemployment rate of nearly 85%, according to the Department of Labor.

A moment that will always stand out to me, and directly inspired the business, was a heart wrenching conversation with the parent of a recent high school graduate who was on the autism spectrum.

They told me that they wished they could live just one day longer than their son. That way, they could always be around to support and care for him as he lived out his life.

Imagine that … wishing that you‘d be there to attend your own child’s funeral.

No one should hope their child goes before them, but that’s how many parents caring for offspring with disabilities honestly feel. Devoid of hope and frustrated by a system that didn’t plan for adulthood.

Stories like that are what inspired me, and my two co-founders, to create a place where adults on the autism spectrum could have careers and access all the countless benefits of employment. A real paycheck, independence, and inherent self-worth. Perhaps then, their families could rest easier at night.

We decided on a merchandise company as it was considered “recession proof,” (this was only two years after 2008) and it was work we felt our team could do, and do well. In addition, my co-founders had experience fundraising within the autism community. They always needed to order shirts for events, so we figured, why not be the people who make those shirts?

We knew from the beginning we were selling a commodity that people could buy from anywhere. Our mission might be a USP that would give us an introduction but if we weren’t price competitive, quality driven, and customer focused we wouldn’t get very far. The mission should be the cherry on top, not the whole sundae.

With that ethos, Spectrum has grown to two locations with over 75 employees. It is no longer just a place where people on the autism spectrum can find a job, it’s now an opportunity for a career where people thrive and are successful. We are not a company where neurodiverse people make things, we are a company made up of neurodiverse people and that has made all the difference.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Upon arriving in the United States, my initial plan was to work as a counselor at a camp for children with disabilities for just one summer. However, fate had different plans. Spending time with incredible individuals and understanding the challenges faced by families of neurodiverse adults made me realize my life’s purpose. This realization prompted me to co-found Spectrum Designs and dedicate my life to creating opportunities for this far too often marginalized group.

Spectrum Designs is a custom apparel and merchandise company whose raison d’etre is to create jobs for those whom society has historically overlooked or undervalued.

What sets us apart is not only our mission but also our team’s dedication to delivering a high-quality product, on time, with best-in-class customer service.

We are not successful in spite of our neurodiverse team, we are successful because of them. We’ve enjoyed a high retention rate and a strong company culture because of our team and statistics have been consistent in other companies who have embraced inclusive hiring.

According to Training Industry, employers who have opened their doors to a neurodiverse workforce have found that autistic employees have a retention rate upward of 90%.

What I’m most proud of is the sense of community we have been able to foster over the years. It’s the intangibles beyond the paycheck, friendships made, self-confidence reclaimed, and self-worth realized. We’ve seen employees move out of family homes, get engaged, gain promotions – all things that neurotypical individuals might take for granted.

Spectrum Designs is a place where people can feel accepted, empowered, and valued for being who they are. That is what I consider to be one of our greatest accomplishments.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team is challenging, especially as it grows. From Spectrum’s early days with just two employees, I’ve witnessed its expansion to 75 talented individuals, who make up an incredible team, but are individuals nonetheless.

No matter the size of the group people just want to feel valued, respected and listened to. There are any number of leadership books on assertion, public speaking, and team building, but very few about active listening. A manager who listens to his team will know what’s needed to maintain high morale and how to course correct should it drop.

Active listening is a cornerstone of effective leadership, fostering a culture of open communication and trust within the team. As Spectrum has grown, the importance of honing this skill has become even more pronounced.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

While it increasingly feels like a buzzword, authenticity is key to brand loyalty. Your customers and employees will quickly figure out if you aren’t walking the talk.

Engagement is also vital—creating content that people will pay attention to in a highly saturated market is not easy. Yes, Spectrum is a T-shirt company, but telling the stories of the exceptional people behind the merchandise has proven to be much more engaging.

When crafting emails, empathize with recipients. Ask yourself if it’s something you’d want to read. Avoid risking unsubscribes by prioritizing valuable, relevant content. Every email recipient is a potential future/return customer, emphasizing the importance of maintaining connections even if they’re not actively ordering.

Finally, try to think outside the box and do something different. One unique form of engagement that we have found to be extremely effective is our thank you committee. The committee is mostly the family members of our employees.

When new clients place orders, the thank you committee personally calls to express gratitude. Providing a family perspective and delivering a heartfelt, customized message has transformed one-off orders into lifelong clients. This personal touch has proven instrumental in building lasting relationships with our customers. It also serves to remind us that family is at our genesis and something we will always hold dear.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spectrumdesigns.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spectrum_designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spectrumdesignsfoundation
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectrum-designs-foundation/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true