Parkland, FL – Thomas D’Eri, COO of Rising Tide Car Wash, a Parkland-based pioneering social enterprise that helps young people with autism build a career and achieve an independent lifestyle, was recently selected as a member of the exclusive, international YEC (Young Entrepreneur Council). The highly selective, quality-over-quantity organization, connects the world’s most successful entrepreneurs aged 40 and younger, so they can grow their businesses faster, while giving back to aspiring entrepreneurs through YEC’s virtual mentorship program, StartupCollective.

Thomas D'Eri

The invite-only group of like-minded startup founders are from nearly every industry. Members generate billions of dollars in revenue and have created tens of thousands of jobs.

“I’m honored to have been chosen as a member of YEC,” said D’Eri. “We at Rising Tide look forward to continuing to create awareness of the capabilities that people with autism have, and growing our business across the country. YEC is an extraordinary resource to help us succeed, and provides a great way for us to help other entrepreneurs achieve success.”

In order to qualify for YEC membership, candidates must be an entrepreneur (under 40 at the time of application) on the founding team of an existing business venture, or past business venture that they have successfully exited from. The YEC selection committee looks for:

• Businesses with accelerating revenue models and a plan for sustainability or a profitable exit. The typical YEC candidate has either a minimum of $1 million annual revenue and/or has secured a minimum of $1 million in financing for his/her current venture(s).
• Founders whose success in a given industry has been recognized by reputable organizations (e.g., Inc. 30 Under 30, Forbes 30 Under 30, Crain’s 40 Under 40, Business Journals 40 Under 40, Entrepreneur 30 Under 30, et al.)

• Individuals who are as passionate about giving back to the entrepreneurship ecosystem as YEC members are. YEC seeks out members who have exemplified true leadership in the startup community by giving back through volunteering, investing, donating and mentoring.
• Individuals who are widely recognized as the thought leaders in their respective industries and who have made various contributions online and offline to the larger entrepreneurship brain trust

YEC provides entrepreneurs with the resources and social capital they need to succeed, including a dedicated community management team to facilitate introductions and connections, members-only forums for 24/7 peer-to-peer support, professional editorial team for press opportunities, and in-person events. 

D’Eri and his father John D’Eri co-founded Rising Tide Car Wash to develop a scalable solution to employing individuals with autism. They were inspired to do this by watching Thomas’ brother, 22-year-old Andrew, a vibrant young man with autism, struggle to find his place in the world. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of adults with autism are unemployed, and at least 500,000 more individuals with autism will enter the workforce in the next decade.

Since its founding in April 2013, Rising Tide has almost tripled its customer base, and built an “Unlimited Wash Club” membership of approximately 1,000 people. It was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and other national news programs/publications, selected to attend Unreasonable Institute Global – one of the most prestigious social impact accelerator programs in the world – and much more. 

Thomas D’Eri’s many other accolades include being selected to speak at the United Nations’ World Autism Awareness Day panel discussion event, “Employment: The Autism Advantage” on April 2, 2015 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, N.Y.; and being named the youngest honoree to ever win Miami Herald’s “20 Under 40” Emerging South Florida Leader award.  

About Rising Tide Car Wash
Rising Tide Car Wash is a scalable social enterprise with the primary mission to employ adults with autism. By delivering a first-rate car wash experience to the consumer, Rising Tide strives to inspire communities to change their perception of the capabilities of people with autism. Through intensive training, team building and caring for the community, Rising Tide sets its employees up for success. With this model, Rising Tide has a goal to provide people with autism with an opportunity to build a career and achieve an independent lifestyle. Rising Tide aims to be Broward County’s first B Corporation (the gold standard in verifying that a company is truly a social enterprise) and the fourth in the state of Florida. Rising Tide Car Wash is located at 7201 N. State Rd 7, Parkland, FL 33067. It is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. For more information, visit www.risingtidecarwash.com, call (954) 344-1855 or email info@risingtidecarwash.com.