Based on studies performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a shocking 1 in 36 children based in the US alone have autism. As awareness around autism has grown, the number of opportunities in employment hasn’t met the standard. Most autistic children find this issue leaving school.
A father who goes by the name John D’Eri who is based in Parkland, Florida first discovered this issue when his son Andrew who has been diagnosed with autism struggled to find a stable job in the workplace. A meaningful career after graduation was just not on the cards for him.
A Groundbreaking Idea Based on The General Autistic Community
Concerned for his son’s future, John came up with an ingenious idea. When Andrew turned 21 in 2011, John decided to purchase a failing car wash. The goal was to create a stable job for his autistic son and others on the spectrum. This vision took off in a big way and today, Rising Tide Car Wash has become a booming success that not only transformed Andrew’s life but created an impactful change in the autism community for so many others.
Rising Tide: A Car Wash with a Purpose
Now operating in two highly successful locations in Parkland Florida, over 80 individuals on the spectrum have stable jobs, making up 90% of their workforce. Their mission was pretty clear from the start. “provide meaningful work, foster personal growth, and challenge societal misconceptions about individuals with autism.”
The D’Eri family embraced an innovative hiring process and effective training protocols directed at a successful launch. Reducing bias throughout the interview process, protocols were put in place modeled around autistic traits, and a robust training program was initiated that enabled employees with the necessary skills required to excel. Rising Tide has additionally focused on internal growth. This has seen the promotion of team members before seeking externally hired individuals.
Turning Challenges into Competitive Advantages
The aim Tom and Andrew had when launching the business highlighted a frightening statistic. Autistic individuals were statistically at a 90% unemployment rate. They spent time researching the issues at hand and through personal experience, found the root cause. There was no lack of capability within the autistic community – the main issue was societal. Many employers saw autism as a disability instead of a strength.
“They found that there are a lot of incredibly capable people with autism who rarely get a chance to excel in life because they have been labeled with a disability that society pities instead of a diversity that can be harnessed as a competitive advantage for business,” the company’s website states.
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This Realization Became The Foundation Behind Rising Tide’s Success
By designing proper systems and processes, the company aimed to target a more tailored culture that was more accommodating. They focused on employee strengths which led to the D’Eris unlocking their team’s full potential – a groundbreaking change compared to most business practices.
An Exceptional Workforce
“You might be thinking that we’ve succeeded despite our unusual workforce,” the D’Eris writes. “The truth is that Rising Tide’s success is because of our unique team.” This well-structured system assigned tasks efficiently and aligned with the required attention to detail the car wash industry needed.
This saw Rising Tide’s operations excelling, providing the highest quality of service. The company additionally noted how its workforce has aided in identifying organizational needs more effectively. This stood out compared to traditional workplaces. “They are what organizational design folks would consider ‘extreme users,’ meaning they have the same needs as anyone else, just easier to see,” the company explained.
A Testament to Inclusion and Success
Currently, Rising Tide has seen more than 150,000 cars annually washed. Boasting an impressive retention rate five times higher than any of its competitors. With customers leaving satisfied, each new store sees immediate growth, enforcing its core values. Proof that the autistic community is more than capable of working in the correctly aligned role. “Every time a customer leaves happy, every successful year of business we complete, and every new store we open is a testament to the value individuals with autism bring to the workforce,” the company shared.
The impact Rising Tide has had on the industry has since extended way past Parkland, seeing more businesses considering their protocols. They are steadily tapping into better ways of identifying the strengths of neurodiverse employees. Since their initial success, Tom and Andrew have funded Rising Tide U. An initiative promoting better inclusion in the workforce for autistic job seekers.
A Lasting Legacy For The Autistic Community
A simple decision to purchase the car wash for Andrew has blossomed into an empowering movement for dozens on the spectrum. Their powerful actions have challenged conventional views on autism in the workplace, prompting employers to seek further education and understanding.
You can find Rising Tide Car Wash on Instagram, following their journey. One thing that stands out the most is how a simple father/son business sparked a journey of discovery. Now standing at roughly 80 employees, it’s not just a day-to-day job for the autistic, it’s hope at independence and confidence. This leads to a much brighter future for so many fully capable employees out there who just need a better chance.
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