Spectrum tries to give feedback in a way that isn’t as hurtful – they’re not as harsh.” Valic says his OCD can create extreme doubt and anxiety. But the results as a manager – the kind of brand storytelling wins the biggest companies in the industry couldn’t dream of achieving – speak for themselves. Howe says Valic is shy, too, but calls him a “marketing genius.” The week before I visit, Spectrum’s story was broadcast on nearly 200 CBS affiliates across the country. “There were some people that thought it was a terrible idea, that we weren’t ready yet for these roles,” Valic says. “But because Spectrum kind of took a leap of faith and because they were there to offer support and help us get comfortable and help us train, we were able to flourish ourselves and then help the company grow.” Right ’Round The Corner As per its mission, Spectrum will continue to grow. There is the potential for as-yet untapped federal government contracts. There is the franchise model, to be forged through partnering with like-minded organizations across the country that exist for similar purposes. The first Spectrum Designs satellite is set to open in Pensacola, Florida, later this year, to be overseen locally by Global Connections to Employment, an outfit with operations in 14 states. “We’ll kind of advise them and counsel them, and visit once in a while and say you should do it this way,” Howe says. “I think that is sustainable. … I think once we get out there and do it, it will be transformational.” The gap to be filled is not small. The CDC recently estimated the prevalence rate for autism at 1 in 31 births. Estimates say 1 in 5 Americans are neurodivergent. Not all of these individuals will be able to hold a job. But many could, if the space for them to succeed was created. It strikes me during my visit that one of the challenges to scaling U.S. manufacturing – a hot topic in promotional products amidst increased tariffs on foreign-made goods – could have an overlooked solution. The week after my trip, America’s Secretary of Health and Human Services announces plans for new studies into potential environmental causes of autism. “Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said on April 16. “These are children who should not be suffering like this. These are kids who will never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball. They’ll never write a poem. They’ll never go out on a date.” I read that quote and think back to Fisher telling me about her home life with her boyfriend. I think of the Spectrum employees who live independently, sharing a house, and of the ones whose parents drop them off and pick them up every day, proud of the lives their children are leading. I think of all the people finding dignity in their work and in a workplace that allows them to be themselves. I think of Jason giving me a personal encore of his performance from The Nicholas Center’s ’80s night revue from the evening before – a one-man, twirling rendition of “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead or Alive. I think of Max, folding shirts while telling me about the cartel of Japanese companies that has tightly controlled the release of new Pokémon these past 30 years. And I do think of Brian. How could I not? Ellis is the publisher and editor-in-chief at PPAI. What does it take to become a PPAI 100 distributor? Visit ppai.org/ ppai-100 The gap to be filled is not small. The CDC recently estimated the prevalence rate for autism at 1 in 31 births. Estimates say 1 in 5 Americans are neurodivergent. 60 • JUNE 2025 • PPAI Must Read | Distributors
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