A family’s search for a meaningful job became a business designed to open doors. Rising Tide Car Wash began with Andrew D’Eri’s transition into adulthood—and grew into a workplace where many autistic professionals can build skills, earn a paycheck, and take pride in their work.
A family built an opportunity
Rising Tide’s company history says John and Thomas D’Eri opened their first location in Parkland, Florida, in 2013. They were inspired by Andrew, John’s son and Thomas’s brother, who is autistic. Their aim was to create employment for Andrew and other people with autism.
The story is not about one family finding a single answer for everyone. It is about noticing that a person deserves a real opportunity—and building a workplace that can make that opportunity possible.
From one opening to a wider workforce
Rising Tide currently reports more than 90 employees with autism, that 80% of its staff are professionals with autism, and that the business has launched more than 250 careers. These are company-reported figures and may change over time.
The company describes using clear processes, visual systems, checklists, and hands-on training to reduce guesswork and help employees understand expectations. Its careers information also explains that candidates learn and demonstrate job tasks as part of the hiring process.
Why this is a TruBlu Hero story
Andrew’s story helped inspire a workplace that now reaches far beyond one family. John and Thomas turned that personal concern into a business, while autistic employees bring their own skills, goals, and contributions to the team. Their experiences are individual; no single workplace or support approach fits every autistic person.
That is the part we want to celebrate: meaningful work grows when people are given a chance, expectations are clear, and the workplace is built to help each person succeed.
“A job can be a beginning: a chance to contribute, grow, and be recognized for what you bring.”
Andrew and the Rising Tide team remind us that opportunity can begin with one family’s question and keep growing through a community’s commitment. Different was always the design. 💙