PENSACOLA, Fla. — Spectrum Designs, a nonprofit custom brand and merchandise company known for its inclusive employment model, has announced its first national expansion through a licensing partnership with Global Connections to Employment (GCE). The new venture, GCE Designs, officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Pensacola, Florida.
The 8,744-square-foot custom apparel and promotional products design and manufacturing facility marks a significant milestone for Spectrum Designs, whose New York-based operations employ a workforce comprised of more than 70% individuals on the autism spectrum.
The Florida location is expected to create 10–15 jobs for autistic and neurodiverse adults in its first year, with plans to grow to as many as 40 employees as operations expand.
Building the Right Partnership
Spectrum Designs Co-Founder and CEO Patrick Bardsley emphasized that shared values were critical in selecting the right partner for expansion.
“People with disabilities don’t want or need to be defined by limitations,” Bardsley said. “They want equal opportunity and they need environments designed around their strengths.”
Bardsley described the partnership with GCE as mission-driven rather than transactional.
“This was never going to be a transactional partnership,” he said. “It was clear right away that we shared values, the same commitment to dignity through work, and the same desire to build something that would truly last.”
Dwight Davis, president of GCE, said the partnership has been years in development.
“This has been three years in the making,” Davis said. “This strategic partnership has given us the opportunity to grow into this space to provide more job opportunities for those in need. We are trying to create a different kind of job center — what you see here is only the beginning.”
A Model for Growth in Decorated Apparel
GCE Designs will offer custom branded apparel and merchandise services nationwide, expanding inclusive employment opportunities within the decorated-apparel industry.
Kelli Fisher, Spectrum’s social media manager, who is on the autism spectrum, shared how inclusive employment transformed her own career.
“For a long time finding a job wasn’t easy for me,” Fisher said. “I had ideas and drive, but I couldn’t find a place where I felt truly accepted. Spectrum changed that.”
Fisher’s social media content has reached more than 50 million viewers worldwide, illustrating the broader impact of inclusive workplace models.
“When autistic people are given real opportunities, people listen,” Fisher said. “This isn’t just a business opening. It’s about creating real jobs, real independence and real futures for adults with disabilities.”
Bardsley closed the opening ceremony with a forward-looking message: “The real work starts tomorrow.”
