Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Watkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

AUsome Sauce may be a small nonprofit, but we strive to provide a safe community to families with young neurodivergent children. Individuals with Autism are considered an underserved population. There is a lack of access to services, qualified providers, and a high turnaround. Outside the clinical perspective, caregivers are often provided with so much information it can be overwhelming. Parent-to-parent support is key to growth and through conversations with people who understand your struggle as a special needs caregiver, you become more confident and knowledgeable of what that child really needs to thrive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In full transparency, I am just a mother of two boys. I was rocked and my world was shattered when my son was diagnosed with Autism. I always try to do my best when making decisions for my son, as a special needs parent you are always attempting to determine the next steps but it’s not just for me in my life – it’s for this little person who is nonverbal. AUsome Sauce is a labor of love, I felt very alone and lost in what I thought was best or not best for him and his needs. I did all the research and found groups online but the person to person connection was still missing. As I gained more confidence in how we were handling things as a family with a child with special needs; recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic I took things into my own hands. Starting a nonprofit is a lot of hard work and dedication. It usually starts with a combination of a need and passion. I felt alone and I knew there was another person out there, a mom like me just trying to get through this life-changing diagnosis. If AUsome Sauce as a community could help make the process just a little easier, then I have succeeded. Oftentimes with a child who has Autism, we take the little wins and I see how creating a safe space with consistency can alter a parent’s perspective.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media is hard but it’s free marketing. I come from a communications background and have had various jobs that in some way included social media. In the time of the pandemic and the rise of TikTok, it was easier to take a look at people’s lives from a very real perspective. While I wasn’t ready to commit to the really cute dances, I did become more invested with other moms showing the realness of their lives as special needs parents. I usually worked with the business and branding sides of social media, and when I started AUsome Sauce I had no idea it would not only be a nonprofit concept but a brand. It can be difficult to focus on the brand when you are dealing with an emotional topic, I’ve had to straddle the line between professional and personal. My journey with Autism is personal and it directly correlates to why I started this brand. The platform we use the most is Instagram, I personally connect and share pieces of my life with my family but it’s important to keep boundaries and have respect for my child who cannot fully process the ramifications of outsiders looking in.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I look at our reputation as a direct reflection of how our lives as special needs parents can be, which in many cases can be inconsistent. Inconsistent in services, with high turnaround, faith in the system, or even with humanity. AUsome Sauce has proven that we can be a safe space, we can be a resource, but more importantly, we offer community. It’s about allowing our children the simple experiences they deserve. Our usual business model is built on interactive support mixers, in addition to those mixers we offer special events that expand to different age groups or genres of interest. My goal is to mainstream our current calendar but broaden what we offer, I’d love to grow as a solid beacon of trust and resource group, and expand to professional guidance for difficult transition periods. I’ve proven to be vulnerable and connect with people on a personal level, our underlying mission is to always be a safe space and I will continue to do so for as long as I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ausomesauce.org
• Instagram: @ausomesaucee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ausomesaucee/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausome-sauce