Unpopular opinion: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives don't do enough. DEI has been a controversial topic for a long time, but we stand behind this initiative and want to see it expanded to include those with disabilities.
I recently announced publicly on a podcast that I had just been diagnosed with Asperger's/high-functioning Autism and ADHD in 2025. I had suspected for a long time that I might be on the autism spectrum, but hadn't gone for any testing to receive an official diagnosis. People around me often are a bit shocked when I tell them because I have learned to "mask" my challenges and appear to be neurotypical by most people's standards.
And while I might appear to not have challenges, I still have difficulties that I wish I had received help with as a child. I wish that I had help with attention, focus, math skills, auditory processing and severe shyness as a child that prevented me from feeling successful in school at times. These hurt my self-esteem and caused me to withdraw when I was very young. I learned to socialize in elementary school although I still preferred to play alone or with one friend. I still prefer to work alone when I am concentrating, but I have learned ways to lead a team and multi-task.
Why is expanding DEI and Inclusion to those with disabilities important?
Inclusion is something near and dear to my heart. As a neurodivergent founder with Asperger's and ADHD, a former Speech Therapist, and with my own daughter who has moderate Autism, inclusion isn't a buzz word that companies should throw around to seem 'relevant' and with the times, but a credo they should be demanded to live by.
Yes, we have made great strides to include and be more equitable for gender, racial and sexual identity equity and diversity- and I applaud those efforts. But companies are neglecting to include those with "different abilities" otherwise known commonly as disabilities.
I myself have seen my company passed over many times because I didn't fit in to the DEI definitions previously, but that is because their DEI programs were short-sighted.
As DEI expands, we need to support those with diagnosed disabilities of all kinds as the challenges faced with those individuals, including myself, are often insurmountable without support.
Given a chance, individuals with disabilities can perform at the same or higher capacity than their peers. Overcoming adversity is a way of life for people with disabilities; and, therefore, their resolve is much stronger than most. I have seen many other founders who started at the same time as I did quit for various reasons, but I have stubbornly forged forward- no matter the challenge.
As a proudly neurodivergent founder, I have been asked if I should 'hide' my diagnoses of High-functioning Autism and ADHD because people might think I can't succeed. After running my business mostly as a solo entrepreneur for seven years, expanding into Asia and around the world, I can definitely say that what other might see as my challenges are often my strengths. I am a creative and driven person that love to solve problems and puzzles. And trust me, there are plenty of those in business!
Debunking the Myths about Neurodivergent People and Entrepreneurs:
Myth #1: People with Autism don't like other people and don't work well with them.
As a neurodivergent founder with ADHD, I have to consistently overcome the misconception that I am cold, distant and don't work well with others. I actually go out of my way to let my customers know how much I care about them, their experiences and happiness with our products and service. My contractors all know that our customer's experience comes first always. We will always go out of our way to make sure they know we care- even if it costs us more money to do so.
Some people with Autism may isolate themselves, while others have a very strong desire to socialize and be with people, but have sensory issues or anxiety that might make that more challenging for neurotypical people. Some days, we might be very social, and others, it might be much more challenging to be around people. And doesn't everyone have this difficulty at times?
Myth #2: People with Autism aren't intelligent.
I have a Master's Degree and went to college for seven years. I am also an Investment advisor and an Organic Skincare formulator. I do have some challenges due to my ADHD and difficulties with math and auditory processing at times, but overall, I have learned how to successfully navigate many fields from chemistry to finance.
And, if you aren't aware already, many of the greatest inventors and innovators of our time have been neurodivergent founders who are thought to or have been diagnosed with Autism/Asperger's. Incredible inventors and entrepreneurs like: Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Nickola Tesla, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Dr. Temple Grandin, and the list goes on and on.
Just google a list or ask Chat GPT which famous people have Autism and you will be astounded at the list of ground-breaking innovators you will find. While yes, some people with Autism have intellectual disabilities as well, many people on the higher end of the Autism Spectrum lead full, rich lives and have earned the highest degrees of education.
Myth #3: People with Autism don't have a sense of humor.
I was shocked myself to find that many of our greatest comedians and actors are diagnosed with Autism. Comedians and actors like Jerry Seinfeld, Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Dan Aykroyd, Darryl Hannah, Anthony Hopkins, Hannah Gadsby, Courtney Love, and many others.
As a child, I used to take things very literally and had a hard time understanding humor or implied messages. As I got older, I had to learn these things directly, and they became easier. However, I still misread people at times, especially when I am stressed or anxious. I have had to overcompensate for these challenges over the years to get better at it. My parents both had a great sense of humor and instilled the love of laughter and fun in me. I see the irony in many things and the humor, so life often makes me laugh at it's absurdity. I used to say "If you don't laugh at life, life will laugh at you." So I try to not take everything so seriously.
Myth #4: People with Autism won't have much in common with me.
There is a saying among people who work with Autistic individuals. "If you've met one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism." This means every Autistic person is different from the next. Some are high functioning and others have severe challenges that make it difficult for them to be independent. Yet, each person has their own unique gifts and set of challenges they face.
And while no two people with Autism are alike- we all share things in common with everyone else. Every person faces their own set of challenges and strengths in life, and people with Autism face some of those same challenges and gifts.
What's the Next Step for Companies and DEI:
My goal is to spread awareness of the need for major companies, Venture Capital firms and Angel Investors to have a mission to celebrate, support and seek to include companies and founders with disabilities of all kinds. Using race or sexual identity as the only factors for DEI is very short sighted and honestly- goes against what it says it stands for. To be truly diverse, equitable and inclusive, we need to support all marginalized groups that face challenges- no matter their race or identity.
The future is electronic- and people with High-functioning Autism and ADHD excel at technology, innovative thinking and envisioning a future that others can't see. Our creativity and ingenuity come because of our challenges, not despite them.
I hope we can all come to honor and respect everyone's unique set of gifts and challenges both on the inside and the outside. Celebrating each other for what makes us unique and beautiful in this beautiful life. I hope you go out and live your "Bella Vida- Beautiful Life."
Thank you for reading. And thank you so much for supporting my business.
Love always,
Erin Schmidt, Founder and CEO of Bella Vida Santa Barbara luxury skincare.
"I am different, not less," - Dr. Temple Grandin.
