Interested in starting your own journey in a non-profit organization but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melissa Diamond, Founder of A Global Voice for Autism, located in Minneapolis, MN, USA.

What's your organization, and who are your members?

A Global Voice for Autism is an international organization that equips refugee and conflict-affected communities to support and include children on the autism spectrum and children with developmental disabilities in their classrooms, homes, and communities. We engage governments, the private sector, teachers, primary caregivers and siblings of children on the autism spectrum, and youth and adult community advocates in program offerings that help them develop skills in evidence-based practices for autism support and inclusive education, provide education and psychosocial support, and assist in the cultivation of communities that are inclusive of all members.

Tell us about yourself

I started my social entrepreneurship career at age 7. After visiting my local animal shelter and seeing the animals in cages, I became intent on finding a way to support them. I founded Art 4 Animals, a venture where I sold handmade crafts at garage sales and community events in my neighborhood and raised $1,000 for my local animal shelter in the first year. From ages 7-10, I engaged a team of friends to increase production and continued to hold art sales around my community to support the shelter. That got me hooked on entrepreneurship because I saw from a young age that I did not have to wait for others to solve the problems I identified in the world. I could take action and create the change I wanted to see. That same drive led me to establish other initiatives growing up and eventually, at age 18, to establish A Global Voice for Autism after meeting a refugee mother who hid her autistic daughter at home due to stigma and a lack of resources in her community. I am motivated each day by the tangible changes I have seen A Global Voice for Autism make in the lives of the families the organization serves (we have the data to prove it!). I am also motivated by the opportunity to foster a supportive global community that impacts the lives of thousands of people and has become more impactful than I'd previously imagined.

What's your biggest accomplishment as an organization?

I think my biggest accomplishment is building an organization that offers products and services people need. There are many ventures out there with impressive technology and innovative programs, but something that differentiates A Global Voice for Autism is that all of our programs are directly informed by user research from the communities we serve. We implement programs at the request of local community partners and conduct extensive assessments to ensure that the services we offer truly meet those communities' needs. Sometimes, this has meant forgoing some "cutting edge" innovations in order to be customer-centered. For example, we eliminated some proposed features for one of our technology platforms after completing deep research with our customers and discovering that the solution they needed was far simpler. I am proud that we are driven by our customers' needs. This distinguishes us and drives our success as an organization.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being an organization?

There are many challenges, but one that stands out is creating something that is beyond oneself. When people think of A Global Voice for Autism, I want them to think first of the organization's impact on the lives of the individuals we serve and their communities, not of my story. I am a part of the organization's story, certainly, but it has grown into something much bigger than that, and transitioning away from a focus on the founder is key to any organization's sustainable growth.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow an organization today?

  1. Focus on the problem you want to solve, not on "building a business." I am frequently approached by friends and colleagues who tell me they want to "start a business" but don't know what they want that to be. Instead of focusing on starting a business, hone in on the problem you want to solve, then dig deep into the prospective customer base to understand the pain point. This discovery process may seem tedious, but it is invaluable as it ensures that you are building something that truly solves the problem you are trying to solve.
  2. Find your first believer(s). It's easy to find support for a business that has a record of success. It is much harder to find support for an idea that has not yet been validated but it's out there. When you feel disheartened by rejections, know that once you find your first believers, others will follow. Years ago, one of my mentors taught me to "try to fail." Set a goal for yourself to collect 100 no's in a certain time period, then start making asks so big you are convinced they will be rejected. Whenever you make an ask and get rejected, you win because you've collected a "no" toward your goal. When you get a "yes," you win because you've accomplished a goal. I have found this to be a great way to stay motivated in challenging times and to encourage myself to dream big and act accordingly.
  3. Network horizontally. It can be tempting to go straight to the most "powerful" person you can find in a field when networking, but often the most powerful connections are peers who believe in what you are building. Don't dismiss any opportunity to connect with someone because they don't seem "powerful" or "high level" enough. A Global Voice for Autism's largest program grew out of a chance encounter I had with a refugee family on an airplane.

Where can people find you and your group?

Website: https://www.globalvoiceforautism.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aglobalvoiceforautism
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aglobalvoiceforautism/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AGVFAutism
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-global-voice-for-autism/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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