9 - Small Wins, Big Impact: A Journey to Empower Children with Disabilities Through Design
Innovation, Community, and Small Wins: Lessons from Ashley Hamic’s Journey in Accessible Design
In a recent episode of Cake on Tuesday Podcast, host Elizabeth Bieniek speaks with Ashley Hamic, Founder of Wish Wear Accessories, about her journey from the tech world to creating accessible, joyful products for children with disabilities and rare diseases. Ashley discusses the importance of innovation, community-building, and the power of celebrating small wins in entrepreneurship. This episode offers actionable insights for parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about inclusive design and creating products that bring joy and accessibility to those who need it most.
Building a Culture of Innovation and Resilience Through Small Wins
Ashley Hamic’s journey from a high-powered tech career to leading a company focused on accessible design was driven by her personal experiences as a mother to a child with a rare disease. Ashley emphasizes that innovation doesn’t always require high-tech solutions; instead, it’s about making small, meaningful changes to existing products that can have a big impact on the lives of individuals with special needs. By using user-centered design principles like empathy and feedback, Ashley designs products that are not only functional but also fun, vibrant, and empowering for children with disabilities. One example of her approach is creating accessible, playful clothing and accessories that allow children to express their personalities, just like their peers.
The sense of community and collaboration is central to Ashley’s mission. She draws inspiration from online communities where parents of children with rare diseases share insights, support, and practical solutions. Many of the ideas for Wish Wear Accessories came directly from these communities, where parents voiced the challenges they faced. Ashley encourages others to build or join supportive networks to find inspiration, test ideas, and learn from others’ experiences. She highlights how crowdsourcing solutions can spark creativity and lead to innovations that truly meet the needs of the community.
Ashley also underscores the importance of celebrating every small victory, whether it’s a new product prototype or positive feedback from a parent. Recognizing these milestones not only sustains morale but also helps keep the momentum going, even in tough times. She advocates for documenting progress, sharing wins with your community, and maintaining a mindset focused on growth and resilience. The road to innovation can be long, but by celebrating small wins along the way, entrepreneurs and parents alike can stay motivated and continue pushing forward.
About Ashley Hamic
Ashley Hamic is the Founder of Wish Wear Accessories, a company dedicated to creating accessible and joyful products for children with disabilities and rare diseases. With a background in tech and user experience design, Ashley combines her expertise with her personal experience as a mother of a child with a rare disease to develop innovative products that prioritize both function and fun.
About Wish Wear Accessories
Wish Wear Accessories designs and manufactures adaptive clothing and accessories for children with disabilities, focusing on accessibility, comfort, and style. Their mission is to create products that allow children with special needs to express themselves, empowering them to live more comfortably and confidently. Through innovative design, Wish Wear Accessories strives to make the world a more inclusive place for children with disabilities.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Key Episode Highlights
How Ashley’s personal experience with her son’s rare disease led to her entrepreneurial journey in accessible design
The power of community in inspiring innovation and solving real-world problems
The importance of celebrating small wins and maintaining resilience in entrepreneurship
Ashley’s approach to making accessibility fun and empowering for children with disabilities
Practical tips on how to innovate with user-centered design and crowdsourced solutions
Conclusion
Ashley Hamic’s story is an inspiring example of how personal experience can drive innovation, and how embracing community, small wins, and joyful design can create products that make a real difference. Her work at Wish Wear Accessories is about more than just selling products—it's about improving lives, creating inclusive communities, and empowering children to feel seen and celebrated. Through innovation and empathy, Ashley is leading the way in accessible design, reminding us all that small, thoughtful changes can have a profound impact.
💡 Ready to learn more or get involved? Visit Cake on Tuesday for more leadership insights and resources to support your entrepreneurial journey.
🎤 Inspired by Ashley’s mission? Apply to be a guest on Cake on Tuesday Podcast and share your insights on leadership, innovation, and community!
