Aspire Accessories, founded by Denise Hazen in 2016, was created to address the “services cliff” faced by individuals with neurological differences after high school. Aspire provides meaningful employment, competitive wages, and transferable job skills for artisans within the autism and neurodiverse community, with a focus on building confidence and workplace independence.
Now part of The HUB Houston, Aspire serves as both a launchpad and a landing pad. For some artisans, Aspire helps unlock potential and prepare for future employment or higher education by building new skills and confidence. For others, Aspire offers long-term, supportive employment with continuous skill development. Many artisans have been part of Aspire for three or more years and continue to grow as the workshop expands with new machinery and products.
Autism is a diverse spectrum, and each artisan brings unique skills and strengths. Through individualized teaching methods and tools, Aspire empowers artisans to take ownership of their work, increase self-awareness, and realize their potential. Using advanced equipment and hands-on craftsmanship, artisans create a wide range of custom products for clients such as HCA, Transwestern, Wilbur-Ellis, and Entelligence. Since its founding, Aspire has sold nearly $1 million in products, paid over $350,000 in artisan wages, employed 65+ artisans, and provided seven years of employment and training for Houston’s neurodiverse community.
Vendor Biography
Aspire Accessories, founded by Denise Hazen in 2016, was created to address the “services cliff” faced by individuals with neurological differences after high school. Aspire provides meaningful employment, competitive wages, and transferable job skills for artisans within the autism and neurodiverse community, with a focus on building confidence and workplace independence.
Now part of The HUB Houston, Aspire serves as both a launchpad and a landing pad. For some artisans, Aspire helps unlock potential and prepare for future employment or higher education by building new skills and confidence. For others, Aspire offers long-term, supportive employment with continuous skill development. Many artisans have been part of Aspire for three or more years and continue to grow as the workshop expands with new machinery and products.
Autism is a diverse spectrum, and each artisan brings unique skills and strengths. Through individualized teaching methods and tools, Aspire empowers artisans to take ownership of their work, increase self-awareness, and realize their potential. Using advanced equipment and hands-on craftsmanship, artisans create a wide range of custom products for clients such as HCA, Transwestern, Wilbur-Ellis, and Entelligence. Since its founding, Aspire has sold nearly $1 million in products, paid over $350,000 in artisan wages, employed 65+ artisans, and provided seven years of employment and training for Houston’s neurodiverse community.