another autistic or neurodiverse adult from the extensive waitlist. Spectrum exists to employ as many of them as possible. It’s the mission. The whole point. Because of its staff makeup and its notfor-profit status, Spectrum is in a favorable position to land state contracts and grants, and it does accept donations. But it does not operate as a traditional charity. Bardsley, born and raised in Wales, refers to it as a social enterprise, as does COO Tim Howe, MAS, Bardsley’s childhood friend from back home who came over to help with the growing organization in 2016. Howe, who had no particular background in promotional products or special education, helped put together the company’s first screen-printing press himself. He also forged Spectrum Designs’ official membership in the promo industry. Denied entry by another organization, which has in its bylaws a strict policy prohibiting nonprofit members, Howe turned to PPAI and its partnership with SAGE to expand the business from soft goods to hard goods. Today, he oversees both locations – Port Washington and Pleasantville, in nearby Westchester County – with a mix of operational rigor and elder brother affection. “It feels like running a real business, because it is,” Howe says. “And, like, I walk out of my office and immediately I’m talking to a team member about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That’s part of who I am, too.” Howe tells me of all the office conversations about anime and Star Wars. He tells me what it’s like to work with Spencer, who lords over the darkroom. “He gets to feel like he’s king of something, and that’s kind of how it should be, really,” Howe says. The employees’ pride matters, because Spectrum holds itself to the same standards as top-tier for-profit competitors. Along with the worthiness of the mission itself, that high standard creates pressure for Howe. But it is necessary. “We get to spend a lot of time being really excited about proving people wrong,” he says. “But there’s a very tangible feeling of, ‘Hey, if we mess up, then they’re going to blame autism for it.’” It’s painful, and it has happened. In one instance, UPS delayed the delivery for a rush order that was to be sent just 25 miles to New York City. “The customer called me and was like, ‘I stuck my neck out, saying we should use the autistics for this jobs, and you guys [messed] it up. Now we’re not going to have shirts. You made me look like an idiot in front of my executive team.’ “And that sucks, because then you realize there’s an extra, added level of pressure on you to prove that people with disabilities can do a good job,” Howe says. The unique culture creates its share of advantages that work in Spectrum’s favor, of course. All things being equal, what client wouldn’t prefer to do business with a distributor that has such an important mission? And what employee would choose to leave a place where they feel so at home and accepted? Turnover at the company is nearly nonexistent. “No one ever leaves,” “We get to spend a lot of time being really excited about proving people wrong,” –COO TIM HOWE, MAS Distributors | Must Read Tim Howe, MAS PPAI • JUNE 2025 • 57
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