We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Veronica Banchs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Blue Crayonz Inc was founded after my son who’s on the Autism Spectrum. Shawn being sensitive to his environments is what started our mission of providing sensory friendly equipment to individuals on the spectrum and aiding in the design in sensory rooms in our community. When suddenly in 2019 I suffered a near death experience. I myself suffering from an invisibles disability (CPTSD) now battling physical limitations. Our mission had to evolve to designing a sensory friendly tiny community for adults on the spectrum. While recovering I dedicated myself to designing a community that would provide a safe space, affordable housing, along with on sight resources. It’s clear to the world we have a housing crisis and what most don’t realize is there’s no affordable housing services for our ASD community members. Many end up living with family or placed in facilities. We aim to change this and help our ASD adults on their journey to independent living.

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

We know how incredible individuals on the spectrum are. They are the creatives, the inventors and all around beautiful souls that change lives. It is important to provide them with the resources needed to thrive. I’ve learned so much from my ASD family that it has inspired me and those around us to get involved. From creating my own sensory blanket to working on our community development project. It’s not just a mission it’s our passion. Some of our happiest moments in life is obtaining our first home / apartment, starting our own business, making friends and building bonds with people just like us. This community will be built with love and community support because we believe in them!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Life has always been my greatest lesson. The ups, the downs, the fails and the falls. It is this human experience that teaches us the greatest lessons of all. It’s ok to fail, it’s ok to be overwhelmed and it’s ok to quit sometimes. As long as you know you can always get back up! Doesn’t matter your age, financial status, nor limitations! Know that you are not alone! So lead with love and kindness in your heart and you’ll attract your crew! We don’t manage over here we lead through inspiration! We are all equals and all hold a valuable role on this journey! We are a family!

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I became disabled myself it turned my world upside down. Not only was my son struggling but now his mother is as well. We had to accept our limitations and restructure our lives. In this process you lose family, friends, your career you name it. This was hard to accept because we live in a society that’s extremely hard on the disabled community. Invisible disabilities aren’t seen which leads to bullying, depression and a loss of self worth. It was this harsh reality that changed the trajectory of our mission. I’m a single mother that nearly died in 2019. Where would my son have ended up had my doctors not saved my life? Most families know nothing about Autism nor how to care for those on the spectrum. Which is why we went to the drawing boards to design our tiny self sustaining sensory friendly community for adults on the spectrum. Featuring a community garden and on sight services like art therapy. So this dark moment ended up shining a light on a very real problem. Which is what happens to adults on the spectrum when theirs no one to care for them?    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bluecrayonzinc.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Swflbluecrayonz?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-banchs-95880898
• Other: https://abc-7.com/news/2020/12/24/special-needs-nonprofit-president-experiences-christmas-miracle-after-near-death-experience/

Image Credits
Photos by me