EmployME Chats: Autistic Entrepreneurship
Join us for the EmployME Chats on Autistic Entrepreneurship on November 4th, a 90-minute session featuring five Autistic entrepreneurs sharing their unique experiences and insights. Panelists will explore key topics such as starting and growing a business as an Autistic entrepreneur, balancing neurodivergence with business demands, effective cross-neurotype client communication, avoiding burnout, leveraging Autistic strengths, navigating neurotypical business norms, and marketing and funding strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable advice, learn from challenges, and hear success stories from Autistic entrepreneurs.
This event is supported by a generous grant from the Glen and Dorothy Stillwell Charitable Trust.
Panelists:
Frances (aka Fran, aaka Franimal) is a Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician and the owner of Franimal’s Solutions, a mobile veterinary ultrasound service for clinics in Middle Tennessee. With over 20 years in the field, she is an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional, specializing in low-stress animal handling and advanced ultrasound diagnostics. Diagnosed with autism in 2024, Frances has embraced her neurodiversity, using her entrepreneurial venture to create a work-life balance that supports her well-being. She is passionate about providing compassionate, stress-free care for animals and advocating for herself as an autistic entrepreneur. Outside of work, Frances enjoys life with her husband, two dogs, and three cats.
Mary Addison Hackett (she/her/they) is an artist whose practice spans painting, photography, video, installation and writing. Her work often addresses issues of self-representation while examining mundane aspects of contemporary and domestic life. She is a late-diagnosed, Autistic self-advocate.
Since the early 90s, Hackett has exhibited and screened her work in museums, galleries, and film festivals throughout the United States and abroad. Selected reviews include The Los Angeles Times, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, The Nashville Scene, Two Coats of Paint, and Burnaway. Her work has been supported by grants from Desert X Artist Relief Fund, BAVC (Bay Area Video Coalition), Ruth Chenven Foundation, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and residencies at OxBow School of Art, Hambidge Center, and Stove Works. She is a 2022 Joan Mitchell Foundation Fellowship Grant nominee. Hackett was one of eight Tennessee artists awarded a 2024 Current Art Fund Grant, a regranting program administered by Tri-Star Arts through the Andy Warhol Foundation. Her project will explore the intersection of photography, neurodiversity, and mental health.
As part of sustaining her career as a visual artist, Hackett has over 30 years of combined professional experience as an independent documentary filmmaker/editor/producer, arts educator, guest lecturer, arts writer, and all-around maker. She has been involved in community outreach and served on boards and committees of several not-for-profit arts organizations in Chicago, Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, California, and Nashville. Hackett earned her MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her BFA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Justin Hand: After thirty jobs by the age of thirty, including Airforce, teacher, actor and product developer at an adult toy company I wanted a change. I started Me and My Red Truck back in 2012 because I had payments due and a truck is a terrible thing to waste. I stared solo, but found there are only so many things one man can move! I focused on enlisting local theatre artists and then musicians. Business was non-stop, buy I wasn't enjoying the work. I burnt out last year and had a serious meltdown. I spent the Christmas Eve and the next few months at treatment centers in Tucson, Arizona and here in Nashville. I advocated to be tested for Autism because I didn't feel like trauma and depression explained my personality and the way I processed the world. So, they gave me a thorough exam for Autism. I was diagnosed at twenty-one as bi-polar and at forty-four I learned I am in fact on the Autism spectrum! It's been less than a year of experiencing life openly Autistic. My co-workers and wife are supportive and more empathetic with this revelation. When I'm not moving, I do yoga and crosswords, write, and act a fool singing to my cat, Ella.
Ashley Seay is the owner of Relief Printmaking Studio, which offers original art with a focus in woodblock printing, custom logo woodblocks, wood sculpture and design, pattern design, and fabric printing. The studio's motto is to produce "relief you can see and feel." She has over 10 years of experience in the printmaking medium. Woodblock printing is how the first newspapers, books and bibles were produced. The artwork is inspired by history, culture, nature, Ancestors, Universe, and family and friends. Recently she was an artist in residence with Metro Nashville Public Schools. She led a course at Cane Ridge High School and two classes at the Nashville School of the Arts. Ashley has also won third place at the Best of Tennessee Craft Exhibition, featured and taught at the Frist Art Museum, National Museum of African American Music, Tennessee State Museum, Belmont University, and Cheekwood Mansion. Ashley was professionally identified with Autism and ADHD at age 34 and has just now received accommodations. As a young child, she was given a misdiagnosis of a cognitive math and learning disability. As she got older, she dealt with depression and PTSD but used art to aid in her mental health journey. Finding and keeping a job, housing and managing everyday life has always been difficult, even now. After failing multiple college classes and running out of financial support, she had to stop going to school. She has never been on any medication for AUDHD but is now considering it. After years of being job to job, she decided in summer of 2023 to get formally test and go back to college at Tennessee State University to finish her Studio Art Degree. After graduation she will pursue her master's degree and become an art professor. As of now she is currently looking for autistic employment that works with a college schedule but is having issues. Ashley is very passionate about advocacy, helping others and being creative in every way possible. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, retro RPG gaming and console collecting, roller skating, watching anime and movies, and being active outdoors. Her favorite season is summer, and gold is her favorite color.
Danny Nagy (he/him) is an AuDHD and Dyslexic Hungarian-American music and video producer with degrees from Berklee College of Music. A versatile instrumentalist who plays seven instruments, Danny spent six years navigating the challenges of the music industry before gaining a deeper understanding of his neurodivergence. Much of his struggle stemmed from miscommunication with allistic folks and a lack of acceptance for his authentic, unmasked self.
Over the past two years, Danny has expanded his understanding of his neurotype and refined his ability to communicate his needs, prioritizing clients who respect and honor his way of being. He has also embraced self-care, recognizing the importance of rest and recharging.
Danny’s career highlights include writing a song for a famous German artist that reached the top 10 in Germany and composing and producing music for Warner Brothers' music library, with his work featured in movies and shows worldwide. He has also performed with the drummer of David Bowie and many other acclaimed musicians.
Recently, Danny has diversified his work by branching into wedding videography and podcasting, while continuing to work with and support other neurodivergent folks. Outside of work, Danny enjoys working out, hiking, tracking his macronutrients, spending time with family, and connecting with the neurodivergent community. On weekends, you’ll often find him at Costco or Goodwill, hunting for great deals.
