Lloyd Lewis: How a Son With Down Syndrome Turned a Finance Career Into a Mission

Lloyd Lewis: Building a Social Enterprise Around the People Most Workplaces OverlookLloyd Lewis, President and CEO of Arc Thrift Stores, shares how his son Kennedy’s birth with Down syndrome launched a mission that transformed a struggling thrift chain into one of Colorado’s largest social enterprises — with 34 retail locations, nearly 1,900 employees, $120 million in annual revenue, and 600 employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities at its heart.Key Insights You’ll Learn:Leaving finance at Smith Barney and IBM after his son Kennedy was born with Down syndromeInheriting a turnaround situation with same-store sales falling double digits and cash burning fastThe back to basics plan: walking out of the meeting so experienced managers could lead itRebuilding Arc with weekly reporting, store visits, accountability, and mission emphasisGrowing from 10 IDD employees to 600 — and why it’s half the reason for 14 record yearsWhy hiring people with IDD improves morale, productivity, and ultimately revenueThe Arc University: post-secondary classes, certificates, and PhD designations for IDD employeesProcessing 200 to 300 million donated items annually with no barcodes and no SKUsExpanding from Colorado into New Mexico and Texas with IDD employment at the coreWhat Satya Nadella, Jamie Foxx, and Winston Churchill all have in common: life-changing relationships with people who have disabilitiesLloyd’s Key Mentors:Kennedy Lewis (Son): Changed his values, his mission, and his understanding of what matters in lifeIBM Management Training Program: Laid the operational and financial foundation he brought to ArcDr. Linda Crnic (Neuroscientist): Sparked the Down Syndrome research advocacy that preceded ArcExperienced Store Managers at Arc: The people he trusted with the turnaround by leaving the roomRandy Lewis (Walgreens): Demonstrated at scale that IDD hiring works across distribution centers nationallyDon’t miss this conversation about what happens when you hire the people most companies overlook, why mission is as powerful as any business strategy, and how one man’s son changed the lives of hundreds.Connect with Lloyd Lewis:Website: arcthrift.comEmail: [email protected] Available: Lloyd Lewis: How a Son With Down Syndrome Turned a Finance Career Into a MissionWatch on YouTube: Inspired Stories PodcastOur Website: The Inspired Stories PodcastSpecial Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency — Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line. Website: addbackbenefits.com