Tara May on Building a $7M Tech Company with 90% Autistic Employees and a Culture of Kindness
Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech, leads a pioneering tech company where over 90% of the workforce consists of autistic adults. This unique model not only serves a social mission of providing meaningful employment but also leverages the strengths of neurodiverse individuals as a strategic advantage in the tech services sector. Aspiritech specializes in quality assurance, accessibility testing, and cybersecurity, benefiting from the exceptional attention to detail and pattern recognition skills of its team members. The company has successfully scaled to over 100 employees and generates approximately $7 million in annual revenue, with a diverse client base that includes notable companies like Bose.
Throughout the conversation, Tara emphasizes the importance of cultural buy-in and operational practices that foster inclusion while maintaining high performance. She shares insights from her extensive experience in digital transformation, highlighting that successful change in organizations is rooted in investing in team members and creating an environment where they feel safe to innovate. This approach has led to impressive retention rates, with AspiraTech boasting a 99% year-over-year retention, largely attributed to its culture of kindness and collaboration.
Tara addresses common concerns about hiring neurodiverse employees, dispelling myths that accommodations are costly or reduce productivity. She explains that many adjustments made for neurodivergent team members often benefit the entire workforce, promoting a universal design that enhances overall workplace experience. By fostering an inclusive environment, Aspiritech not only supports its employees but also drives customer satisfaction and business success.
Looking ahead, Tara is keenly aware of the evolving landscape of technology, particularly the impact of AI and cybersecurity. She advocates for a pragmatic approach to new technologies, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt and evolve rather than fear change. Tara's commitment to neurodiversity, mental health, and kindness in the workplace positions Aspiritech as a leader in the movement for inclusive employment, demonstrating that a caring culture can coexist with high performance and innovation.
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