SEPTEMBER 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 33
SPECTRUM DESIGNS:
BUSINESS ON A MISSION
By RUTH BASHINSKY
One mother’s mission to ensure her
son with autism would have a promising
future has been accomplished beyond
anyone’s wildest expectations.
After the loss of her husband in
2010, Stella Spanakos wondered,
“Should I wallow in self-pity, or should
I find the strength to make my husband’s
life, and our struggle raising a
child with autism, mean something?”
She founded Spectrum Designs, a
custom apparel business where her
son Nicholas works with other young
people facing similar challenges. The
company is now a model social enterprise
offering authentic vocational
experiences to individuals on the
autism spectrum.
“Stella’s story is very inspiring,”
says Lee Anne Vetrone, development
manager at Spectrum Designs Foundation.
“Along with her cofounders,
Nicole Sugrue and Patrick Bardsley,
she created a business model that
will positively impact the lives of
individuals with autism and their
families for years.”
The need is great. In the U.S., only
14 percent of adults with autism
held paid jobs in their communities,
according to a 2017 Drexel University
Autism Institute report. Each year,
50,000 teens with autism age out of
school-based services.
Spectrum’s work environment is
designed to help employees excel.
Seventy-five percent of its workforce
is on the autism spectrum. There are
35 people on staff, 21 of whom have
developmental disabilities.
The company generated more than
$2 million in sales this year. Clients
include Google, Facebook, and Uber.
“Providing meaningful work opportunities
leads to greater independence,
an improved quality of life and a
future filled with hope,” says Vetrone.
The business, which started with
one machine in a barn on Spanakos’
Plandome Manor property, is now
located in a new 7,500-square-foot
facility in Port Washington that
houses its custom screen printing,
embroidery, and digital printing
services. It also houses Spectrum
Suds, a boutique laundromat offering
48-hour turnaround, and Spectrum
Bakes, creating gourmet, small-batch
granola treats for corporate events,
party favors and personalized gifts.
Joe Penzel, 26, has worked at Spectrum
Designs since 2013.
“I like to clean the screens,” says
Penzel. “I also like to sort the shirts.”
Last year, Spectrum completed
its largest order: more than 5,000
two-in-one jackets for Metro-North
Railroad, imprinted with the agency’s
logo.
In turn, the company became a
go-to source for large municipal
contracts in both imprinting and
logistics.
“We receive inquiries every day
from around the country and the
world,” says Vetrone.
For more information visit
spectrumdesigns.org
WHOLLY MOLI
Seventy-five percent of the company’s workforce is on the autism spectrum.