A Proud Partnership

There are new items in the mix at T.J. Maxx: Custom-made T-shirts whose graphic designs were created entirely by the in-house team of neurodiverse artists at Spectrum Designs.

This is the first retail deal for Spectrum, a nonprofit custom apparel and promotional products business with a location in Port Washington that aims to empower adults on the autism spectrum through meaningful and growing employment opportunities. Last year, the organization hit $5.5 million in sales, according to Spectrum.

The shirts are now available in 500 women’s departments and 200 men’s departments in T.J.Maxx stores nationwide, with a significant presence in its East Coast shops. Each shirt comes with a custom hangtag, telling the story of Spectrum, whose logo is also subtly designed into every shirt.

“We wanted to have a message of inclusion,” Patrick Bardsley, cofounder and CEO of Spectrum Designs, told LIBN.

Spectrum’s partnership with TJ Maxx comes at a time when nearly 85% of adults on the autism spectrum are unemployed in the U.S., according to published reports. Spectrum, however, works to shatter employment barriers.

The organization currently has 76 people on staff, “60% who are neurodiverse,” with many working in “all areas of the business,” including in marketing, administration and managerial roles, Bardsley said.

To bring the opportunity with TJ Maxx forward, Spectrum partnered with Bioworld Merchandise, a brand-merchandising firm headquartered in Texas, that also works with such brands as Disney, Warner Bros. and Sanrio in more than 25 apparel and accessory categories.

Bardsley praised Bioworld and TJ Maxx for “recognizing and spotlighting the power of neuroinclusivity.”

“This collaboration showcases the extraordinary talents of our team and brings their designs to a national audience, furthering our mission to transform perceptions of those on the autism spectrum, particularly in the workplace,” Bardsley added.

Bardsley pointed out that at Spectrum, “neurodiverse individuals are not just part of our workforce—they are driving our innovation and success every day and this is yet another example of that.”

Bioworld provided guidance to Spectrum as its neurodiverse team designed a six-style collection, with original, on-trend graphic designs. The collection is printed and packaged at Spectrum’s Port Washington location.

“We are proud to be a part of the global community working to increase positive change throughout the marketplace,” Jason Mayes, senior director of marketing and intellectual property at Bioworld, said in a written statement.  “This collaboration is a testament to the power of inclusion and creativity, and we are excited to see these designs reach a wider audience.”

For Spectrum, the launch comes at a time when the organization is cultivating a notable presence on social media. Recently, a viral video posted by Kelli Fisher, Spectrum’s social media manager who is on the autism spectrum, garnered over 23 million views. This led to 206 new business requests from companies that include Renewal by Anderson, Yeti and others in just a few weeks. This includes a $100,000 order from the Missouri National Guard, Bardsley said.

All of this set the stage for the most successful month in the company’s history. The company is on track to reach $6 million in sales by the end of 2024, eclipsing the $5.5 million sales record from the year prior.

All of this could translate to adding jobs, and increasing production hours, Bardsley said.

It also leads to future partnerships with other retailers, including big-box stores, Bardsley said.