Layla Luna is a mom on a mission. When her son, Rio, was diagnosed with autism in 2010, she knew he would face challenges. Several years later, when her son was older, a pivotal experience became the catalyst for Layla to start her non-profit organization, Just Bee.
Now Layla is a voice for the voiceless, speaking up for her son as well as other autistic and neuro-divergent individuals who so desperately need representation in our society.
What inspired you to start your non-profit?
The idea for the company was inspired by something my son and I experienced in 2018. My son, Rio, is nonverbal autistic. I took him to eat at a local pizza restaurant where I had gone for years and years. The restaurant was busy, and it took forever for us to be seated, and then another eternity for us to get our pizza. Rio eventually had a meltdown due to sensory overload. Screaming, banging his head on the table, you name it. The other customers started giving us dirty looks and then started yelling at both me and my son.
Eventually, the restaurant kicked us out because we were causing a “disturbance.” I remember thinking, “Why can’t people just be nice? Why can’t they just be kind?” I wondered how the restaurant and other customers would have reacted had they known Rio was autistic.
I went home feeling incredibly defeated. But... I woke up the next morning and was ready to make a change. That was the ultimate call to action. I immediately started working, knowing that I wanted to change the negative narratives about children with autism–that autistic children are brats, and their parents don’t have control.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your founder journey?
Being a voice for the voiceless, especially in South Carolina. There are so few resources
and advocates for ASD and ND children, and they’re often completely overlooked in
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. We aim to change that–and it’s working.
In general, children on the spectrum don’t get to be a part of Christmas festivities. It’s
a sensory nightmare: crowds, noise, bright lights. So, in December of 2022, we held an
event where 300 autistic and neuro-divergent kids got to meet Santa for the first time.
It was beautiful.
In April of 2023, we made Mt Pleasant, South Carolina’s first autism-friendly city in the
Lowcountry. Mayor Haynie was incredible throughout that process.
Any lessons learned that you would like to share?
I hate to say it, but the mantra "fake it ‘til you make it" rings true, especially when starting a nonprofit. It takes passion and determination to navigate through intimidating situations. I sat in on countless meetings where men questioned my credentials, asking what my degrees were or what certifications I had. My degree? I’m a mother.
Honor the process and embrace the opportunity to learn along the way. Follow your convictions–what you believe is right. Recognize your successes, no matter how small, and take ownership of them. Each step forward is a testament to your resilience and dedication. Embrace the journey, trust in your abilities, and continue to forge your path, knowing that success will come as you persist and remain true to yourself.
Our media company’s motto is, “Where aha, meets oh shit.” Tell us about your biggest aha! moments. Tell us about your biggest oh shit moments.
In the journey of advocating for the neurodiverse community, a significant "aha" moment struck when I recognized the lack of connections and support available for older individuals. While early intervention programs exist, the need for resources and opportunities for neurodivergent adults became evident. That’s when I started the process of developing an innovative autism app, envisioning it as the "Yelp of autism." This app aims to provide a platform where neurodivergent-friendly places can be easily identified, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Conversely, my "oh shit" moment emerged from a different aspect of my life. With a background in dance and choreography, I was accustomed to expressing myself non-verbally, relying on movement to convey my thoughts and emotions. However, as I stepped into the realm of public speaking, a deep fear gripped me. The apprehension of asking questions and sharing my voice haunted me, as I doubted my ability to contribute something impactful.
But the more I stood up and shared my voice, the more I noticed that people were actually listening to me. I realized that my unique perspective held value and that my voice could make a difference. This revelation shattered the belief that I had nothing significant to say and empowered me to embrace the power of my own voice.
If you could hit rewind, is there anything you would do differently?
Throughout my founder journey, I learned a lot from my mistakes. But I did spend a lot of time pursuing grants that weren’t necessarily right for my non-profit. I found myself caught up in chasing after grants, spinning my wheels with little success. But that’s what everyone tells you when starting a non-profit. What they don’t tell you is that grant writing takes a lot of work.
It took a while, but I eventually realized that many businesses in the grant world don’t really have a genuine resonance with social impact. It became clear that if a grant did not align with my vision and values, it was not worth chasing. There is no predetermined formula for success, and it is crucial not to mold oneself to fit into a grant's requirements. Instead, I learned the importance of staying true to my passion and avoiding the temptation to pigeonhole myself.
It was easier for me to help Mt. Pleasant become the first autism-friendly town in the Lowcountry than it was to get a meeting with venture capitalists.
Along the way, I encountered individuals who shared my vision and values, and those who understood the importance of making a positive impact. It reinforced the notion that, eventually, you will find the right people who believe in your mission. In the face of challenges and rejections, it is essential to remain steadfast and continue searching for those who resonate with your purpose.
We’ve heard from founders about the difficulty in shifting to being seen as a leader or having a CEO mindset. What have you experienced from your perspective?
Transitioning from being an artist with a creative mind to navigating the business world was difficult. I quickly realized that mastering correspondence in this new realm required a different set of skills and a unique approach. Gone were the days of simply sending a headshot; I had to learn a whole new way of communicating.
The business world operates at its own tempo, with a multitude of concepts and practices to grasp. The learning curve was significant, but once I realized it was like choreography... things clicked. I understood that effective communication in the business world required precision and rehearsal. Nothing is ever on the fly. So, I practiced my elevator pitch tirelessly, treating it like choreography, and refining every word until I had it memorized.
What I discovered along the way was that my creative mind was a valuable asset. It brought a unique perspective and problem-solving approach to the business realm. The ability to think outside the box and offer innovative solutions became invaluable. I understood that creativity could be harnessed in the business world to bring fresh ideas and approaches to the table.
While the transition from artist to business professional was tough, I embraced the opportunity to learn and grow. I realized that the fusion of a creative mind with a solid understanding of business principles was a powerful combination. With dedication and perseverance, I found my place in the business world, leveraging my creative abilities to make a meaningful impact.
Did you have any “game-changing” resources or tools that helped you start or grow? Why was that resource a game-changer for you?
God. I felt like a vessel throughout this process. This unwavering faith in a higher power gave me the confidence to pursue my path, even when faced with uncertainty. Because of my faith, it always felt like Just Bee was going to happen. Early on, we received a grant from the George P. Mitchell Foundation that was game-changing in getting our idea off the ground. I also had great mentors from SCORE who showed me the finer details about starting a non-profit. I couldn’t have done this without them. And through it all, Mayor Hainey has been amazing. He listened to me the day I approached him on the street to tell him about Just Bee, and he continues to listen as we work to make Mt. Pleasant a welcoming, ND-friendly city.
What do you want your company to look like a year from now – from the market, your product or service, your team or people, the culture, or revenue – describe how you would like things to look a year or two from now. What have you put in place – or going to put in place – to make that a reality?
I want to meet with Governor McMaster. My goal is to make South Carolina the first autism-friendly state in the U.S. I want the Just Bee symbol to become as important as the handicap symbol, where people instantly recognize that a business is autism and neuro-divergent-friendly.