How These Founders Shatter Stigmas Around Autism And Dyslexia

October is both Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Dyslexia Awareness Month. Jessica Abo sat down with two entrepreneurs who want people to know that our differences can be our superpowers.

How The D’Eri Family Transformed A Car Wash Business Into A Force For Social Change

Thomas D’Eri and his father created the Rising Tide Car Wash, in late 2012, with a deeply personal motive. Thomas’ brother, Andrew, is on the autism spectrum, and the D’Eri family recognized the pressing need to create meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals like Andrew as he transitioned into adulthood.

“I think the vast majority of people with autism have really wonderful skills and are totally capable of holding down employment. But often, they don’t get the opportunity,” D’Eri says.

The business journey started with a determination to prove that employing neurodivergent individuals was not just a noble gesture but also a strategically sound business move. “Today we employ about 90 people with autism. All three of our locations are profitable and we’re looking to continue growing the entity.”

At first, D’Eri says he thought a car wash was the perfect fit to play to his brother’s strengths with its structured routines and detail-oriented tasks; however, D’Eri now believes the potential for neurodivergent employees extends far beyond certain industries.

“When we started, there was pretty limited research around this stuff and there still isn’t great research, but through my own experience, and the people we’ve met with autism, I think they can do anything. It’s just a matter of structuring an organization in a way where the objectives are clear, where there’s a high degree of psychological safety, and where the organization is focused on providing the tools and resources necessary for their employees to thrive.”

D’Eri shares more about his family’s experience, and his business advice for entrepreneurs, in his book, The Power of Potential. The book not only chronicles the success story of Rising Tide Car Wash but also provides actionable insights for other businesses looking to embrace neurodiverse employees and create inclusive environments.

As Rising Tide Car Wash continues to make waves in the business and neurodiversity worlds, the founder of Stratton Equities hopes his company also inspires today’s leaders to become a catalyst for social change.

Living With Dyslexia: Michael Mikhail’s Journey to Success

According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, the neurocognitive disorder affects 20 percent of the population and represents 80-90 percent of all those with learning disabilities. “A lesser known statistic is that many self-made billionaires are dyslexic,” Michael Mikhail, CEO and Founder of Stratton Equities, says. “This challenges conventional notions of success, suggesting that cognitive differences can be assets rather than hindrances.”

Mikhail is the son of Lebanese immigrants and was told he had dyslexia when he was a child. His passion for this cause today stems from his personal experiences growing up in the 1980s when dyslexia was poorly understood. “I witnessed the detrimental effects of misdiagnosis and the over-reliance on medication,” he says. “Through my journey to success, I’ve come to appreciate the untapped potential within individuals who possess these unique cognitive abilities. It’s about shifting the narrative from seeing these conditions as weaknesses to viewing them as a superpower.”

Mikhail says that his journey to becoming a respected figure in his industry was filled with challenges. After traveling through 19 different countries over the course of five years, he returned to the United States in 2017 with no place to call home and no money. Drawing on his knowledge of mortgage lending, he saw the mortgage lending sector as a promising field full of opportunities.

“I started Stratton Equities with a $1,000 loan from my mother’s credit card and worked 18-hour days seven days a week.” Mikhail’s efforts paid off as the company made $1.3 million just six months after its launch.

While his dyslexia started as a disability, he says it’s now part of his company’s DNA. “When I opened Stratton Equities, I had to talk to people over the phone instead of by email. I discovered this personal touch was so successful and efficient it has been part of our business model for all employees.”

Mikhail’s passion for helping others succeed in their investment goals inspired him to create a company with an extensive library of private money loan programs under one roof. He’s also developed a unique hands-on training program and educational platform to provide loan officers with a clear pathway to success.

“There are many CEOs who were diagnosed with dyslexia; Sir Richard Branson, Walt Disney, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs and many more,” he says. Mikhail believes having dyslexia shouldn’t hold anyone back from becoming a successful entrepreneur, business leader or founder. “These individuals stand as beacons of inspiration for all, reminding us that determination and resilience can light the path to excellence in the world of business.”