Creative Workforce Solutions Conference:
​Meet Marisa Bentley of LINC-d

A virtual conference to promote special needs focused entrepreneurship and social enterprises.

I started an e-commerce shop in February where neurodiverse and intellectually disabled artists can sell their art on our products. LINC-d is my attempt to help the unemployment problem with special needs adults - inspired by my own son with severe Autism. The artists submit their art, and we take it from there. Their art always belongs to them, they have final say in the products they sell, and they keep 70% of the profits. We have three artists and a growing base of support! http://linc-d.com

What will I learn during this presentation?

I've been a stay at home mom for 20 years motivated to become an entrepreneur after my severely autistic son turned 18. Discouraged with the limited possibilities for him and his unique needs, I was determined to help him make a meaningful contribution in the workforce while being respectful to his needs. There is a real problem with employment for adults with special needs - with autistic adults leading the unemployment numbers within the special needs community. Parents of special needs adults need to help the rest of the country see the increasing unemployment threat. We as parents are the true advocates and need to create the jobs that do not exist for our kids.

Who should attend?

I can explain to families interested in starting a business the steps I took and continue to take with my startup. I think I can help enterprises and entrepreneurs see the need to take the financial burden off the government and tax payers and include these amazing adults in the workforce. This community of special needs adults deserves to come out of the shadows and start making meaningful contributions with respectful employment.