We’re looking forward to introducing you to Joylin Trechi & Patricia Ibarra. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Joylin & Patricia, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing we’ve learned is how much potential is just waiting for the right moment to come to life. Many of the people who come to Divershines don’t have everything figured out—and that’s completely okay. What they do have is the intention to grow, and that’s more than enough to get started.
We’ve seen that when people feel supported in a space that truly listens and understands them, their ideas start to take shape in powerful ways.
We’ve witnessed hobbies turn into meaningful projects, and moments of doubt transform into clear, confident steps forward.
That transformation—that moment when someone starts to see themselves not just as someone with an idea, but as someone with direction and purpose—is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do at Divershines.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re Patricia Ibarra and Joylin Trechi, co-founders of Divershines, a platform created to support and strengthen the entrepreneurial journey of neurodivergent individuals and their families, when they choose to take that path. With over 30 years of combined experience in corporate roles—including brand development, marketing, demand planning, and supply chain—we’ve shifted our focus to a mission that truly matters to us: empowering a community full of talent and potential.
At Divershines, we provide personalized mentorship, practical tools, and strategic connections that help people on the autism spectrum—and their allies—build solid, sustainable business ideas. Whether they’re just starting out or looking to grow, we help turn vision into action through structure, strategy, and support.
What makes Divershines unique is how we combine professional expertise with a deeply human approach. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We take time to understand each person’s talents, working style, and pace, and then we co-create a realistic plan they can feel confident about.
We also promote networking among neurodivergent entrepreneurs and supportive families, creating spaces where they can share experiences, build partnerships, and grow as a community. Because support isn’t just about guidance—it’s also about connection.
Right now, we’re focused on launching new mentorship programs, forming alliances with like-minded professionals, and creating business-focused content tailored for our community. At Divershines, we believe that with the right tools and encouragement, everyone can build their own path—on their own terms.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Truthfully, we’re far from feeling “powerful.” What we do feel is grateful—to be at a point of empathy, understanding, and clarity that allows us to help others feel empowered, confident, and ready to take action.
More than a moment of power, there was a moment of awareness: when we realized how important it is to accept an autism diagnosis—not as a limitation, but as a starting point. That acceptance didn’t come with all the answers, but it did open the door to asking better questions, to showing up more intentionally, and to making room for growth.
Whether it’s your own diagnosis or that of a loved one, acceptance isn’t always easy. But it’s what allows you to move forward. It’s the shift from uncertainty to direction, from overwhelm to purpose.
That moment was the seed for Divershines—not born from perfection, but from a real need to create a space where others could also find clarity, gain confidence, and build something meaningful from who they are.
So no, we don’t feel powerful. But we do feel deeply committed. And that, for us, is more than enough.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
At Divershines, one of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned is that entrepreneurship doesn’t mean having everything figured out from day one. And we say that with honesty—because at the beginning, we believed having a solid plan was everything. That only with a well-defined structure, a clear idea, and a mapped-out path could you truly move forward.
But over time—and through every person we’ve had the honor of supporting—we realized something powerful: real growth happens when you give yourself permission to shift direction without losing sight of your purpose.
We changed our minds when we saw that many of the neurodivergent entrepreneurs we work with didn’t come to us with a fully formed vision. They came with a curiosity, a skill, or simply a strong desire to build something of their own. And along the way, their ideas evolved, reshaped, took new forms—and that was more than okay.
We came to understand that flexibility isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Holding on too tightly to one version of the plan can close doors. But when your purpose is clear and your path is open to evolution, that’s when real momentum begins.
Today, at Divershines, we don’t promote perfection—we promote purposeful adaptability. Because the most resilient projects aren’t the ones that never change, but the ones that adjust without losing who they are.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
At Divershines, we’re deeply committed to one mission: empowering the autistic community and their families through entrepreneurship. We know there are real structural challenges—over 85% of neurodiverse individuals are currently out of the workforce—and that can’t continue to be just another statistic.
We truly believe entrepreneurship offers a real path to independence, but we also know it’s not easy or quick. It takes time, effort, and focus. That’s why yes—it absolutely matters how long it takes. Because every step matters. Every bit of progress, no matter how small, moves us closer to lasting change.
We’re here for the long run, setting short, medium, and long-term goals to move forward with purpose and clarity.
We’ll keep building tools, offering mentorship, and strengthening community—because we know this journey isn’t about speed, it’s about impact. And standing by that process is one of the most meaningful commitments we’ve made.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
At Divershines, we believe there’s no such thing as a wrong decision when it’s made with intention and purpose. Even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always something to learn. Every step, every adjustment, has shaped the community we are today.
But if there’s one thing we never want to regret, it’s not giving ourselves the chance to keep learning—especially from the experiences, perspectives, and incredible potential of neurodiverse individuals.
That’s where our biggest growth comes from: being open to learning from people who see the world differently, who may have been overlooked by others, but bring so much value, creativity, and insight.
At Divershines, we don’t position ourselves as the ones who teach—we choose to keep learning. Because that ongoing, genuine learning is what allows us to support better, build with purpose, and stay true to our mission. And that’s something we never want to miss out on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divershines.com
- Instagram: @divershines
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divershines
- Twitter: @divershines
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divershines
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@divershines
