Normal Zebra™

A mission-driven lifestyle brand, purpose-built to serve and employ members of the neurodiverse community.

Despite representing a large and growing share of the population, neurodivergent adults are often excluded from full participation in work and public life. This exclusion is not about ability. It is largely a result of how our systems are designed.

Employment systems create hidden barriers

Most workplaces rely on:

Unwritten rules
Implicit social expectations
Fast, indirect, and coded communication

These norms are rarely explained explicitly. As a result, neurodivergent adults are often evaluated on social fluency instead of job-relevant skills, even when they are capable, motivated, and qualified.

Public spaces can be demanding

Many everyday environments - cafés, shops, and other shared spaces - are:

Loud or crowded
Visually busy
Difficult to navigate without prior knowledge

For neurodivergent people, these conditions can be exhausting or inaccessible. What feels “normal” to some can require significant effort for others.

The result

A large, capable group of people faces barriers to meaningful employment and to enjoying public spaces, and employers lose access to an innovative, loyal, and productive workforce.

These outcomes are rarely intentional
They are the cumulative result of design choices made without diverse neurological needs in mind.

When environments work better for neurodivergent people, they often work better for many others as well.

Designing differently

Most responses to these challenges focus on helping individuals adapt to existing systems.

Normal Zebra takes a different approach.

Instead of asking people to change, we change the environment, starting with familiar spaces that people already use every day.

Where it all begins: The Normal Zebra Cafe

The first Normal Zebra outlets will be coffee shops, strategically located in collegiate and tech-centered communities where higher densities of neurodiverse populations may be found. Normal Zebra Cafe #1 will launch in Portland, Oregon in 2026.

Why Coffee Shops?

Low Startup Costs - High scalability potential with manageable initial investment and proven financial models

Customer-Facing Training - In-person interaction opportunities essential for building career skills, confidence, and professional experience

Proven Business Model - Established frameworks that can be thoughtfully modified for neurodivergent employment and inclusive services

Design Demonstration - High-traffic physical spaces showcase neurodivergent-friendly design principles in action for all visitors

Ubiquitous – A familiar product, delivered in a new and engaging way

Beyond Coffee: The Normal Zebra Ecosystem

Our vision extends far beyond the café. Once we establish our proof of concept, Normal Zebra will expand into diverse lifestyle categories, each designed with neurodivergent employees and customers at the center.

These outlets share common characteristics: low costs of entry, customizable repetitive workflows, opportunities for tech enablement, and service environments that can be better designed for diverse customer communities.

Health & Wellness

Gyms & Fitness Centers
Health Services

Entertainment & Leisure

Game Shops
Bookstores
Event Venues

Other Services

Financial Services
Test Prep Centers
Co-Working Spaces
Convenience Stores

Personal Care

Barber & Hair Salons
Aesthetic Services
Laundromats

Travel & Hospitality

Airport Lounges
Travel Agents
Lodging

Certification

Frameworks, toolkits, badging, and marketing support to help unaffiliated businesses expand their serviceable market and labor pool by implementing neurodiversity-inclusive practices

The Business Case for Neuro-Inclusion

Embracing neurodiversity isn't just the right thing to do—it's smart business. Organizations that prioritize neuro-inclusion unlock measurable advantages that strengthen their competitive position.

Productivity Boost

Teams with neurodivergent members can be 30% more productive than their neurotypical counterparts

Employee Retention

Major neurodiversity hiring programs report retention rates of around 90% for neurodivergent employees

A diverse range of perspectives fosters innovation, strengthens teamwork, and improves retention rates.

The inclusion and integration of neurodivergent colleagues also boosts team morale and creates more empathetic workplace cultures.

For companies implementing neurodivergent hiring and retention practices, the accommodations and challenges are manageable—and the potential returns are significant.

Leading the Way: Corporate Commitment to Neurodiversity

Major corporations have recognized the value of neurodivergent talent and implemented long-term hiring and inclusion programs. These organizations demonstrate that neuro-inclusion is both achievable and beneficial at scale.

These companies have established dedicated neurodiversity hiring initiatives, creating pathways for talented individuals who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional recruitment processes. Their success proves that inclusive hiring practices can work across industries—from technology to finance to hospitality.

The Missing Link in Neurodiversity Employment

What’s missing from current programs: While corporate neurodiversity initiatives are valuable, they focus primarily on professional and technical roles.

Most neurodivergent inclusion programs center the expectations and norms of neurotypical employers and workforces, aiming to help neurodivergent employees succeed in traditional settings.

A critical gap remains: entry-level, customer-facing jobs that build resumes and confidence.

The Normal Zebra Difference

We center the neurodivergent employee and customer, designing environments that empower and benefit from neurodivergent traits and preferences.

Rather than asking neurodivergent individuals to adapt, we create spaces where they can thrive as themselves.

The Normal Zebra Workspace Credo

Our commitment to neurodivergent employees is built on clear, actionable principles that reshape workplace culture. These aren't aspirational values - they're operational requirements for every Normal Zebra location.

Three Pillars

No Unspoken Expectations

Every expectation is clearly communicated in writing, verbally, and with visual aids

No Unwritten Rules

All policies, procedures, and norms are grounded in actual requiremennts, documented, and freely accessible

No Social Camouflaging

Employees can be their authentic selves without suppressing neurodivergent traits. No "masking" required

How we deliver every day

Clear Omnichannel Communication

Flexible communication methods accommodate different processing styles and preferences

Respectful and Responsible

Mutual respect and accountability create psychological safety for team members

Targeted Functional Supports

Individual accommodations address specific needs without stigma or hestitation

The Normal Zebra Design Philosophy

Every Normal Zebra location embodies our mission through intentional design choices that create welcoming, functional spaces for neurodivergent individuals and the broader community

Creating Social Spaces

Universal Design

Spaces that are accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of ability or neurological style

Sensory Modulation

Environments thoughtfully designed around sensory needs to promote comfort and focus

Thoughful Transactions

Clear wayfinding and signage; technology-enabled interactions

Authentic Messaging

Reflecting our values of directness, transparency, and genuine connection

Community Events

Diverse programming creates opportunities for connection, skill-building, advocacy, and joy

The Market Opportunity

Neurodivergent adults represent approximately 15-20% of the US adult population – a large, persistent market segment that is dramatically underserved by inclusive social spaces and businesses.

This audience is 6-20x larger than many life-event cohorts that already support sizeable industries:

New Parents
Newlyweds
First-time homebuyers
College Graduates

Yet unlike these temporary life stages, neurodiversity is a permanent identity, creating consistent, long-term market demand.

The target market grows exponentially when we connect with ND individuals’ allies, parents, partners, and advocates.

Mission-Driven Brands Prove the Model

Successful lifestyle brands have demonstrated that values-driven businesses can achieve both impact and profitability

Funding Normal Zebra:
Financial Support for Development

Building an inclusive business comes with support. Multiple funding sources exist specifically to encourage neurodiversity employment and accessible design, reducing startup costs and improving long-term sustainability.

Fiscal Support

Federal Tax Incentives

Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Disabled Access Credit, Architectural Barrier Removal Deduction

State-Level Support

Vocational Rehabilitation partnerships, state wage subsidies, training reimbursements

Community Grants

Projects enhancing social connection and public space

Autism & Neurodiversity Programs

Specialized grants and technical assistance from autism employment organizations

Social Impact Investors

Mission-aligned capital from investors prioritizing social returns alongside financial returns

Advisory Council: Expert Guidance

Normal Zebra's success depends on deep expertise across business operations, neurodiversity employment, inclusive design, and financial management. Our advisory council brings specialized knowledge and lived experience to every aspect of our mission.

Business Plan Development

Strategic planning, market analysis, and financial modeling expertise

Coffee Shop Operations

Industry veteran with proven track record in specialty café management and scaling

Neurodivergent Workforce Development

Specialists in recruitment, training, and retention of neurodiverse employees

Neuroinclusive Design

Architect/Designer specializing in sensory-friendly and universal design principles

Accounting & Tax Strategy

CPA with expertise in social enterprise financial modeling nonprofit-adjacent funding structures

Scalability & Franchising

Consultant experienced in replicable business models and multi-unit expansion

Join Our Journey: Next Steps

Normal Zebra is building a future where neurodiversity is a celebrated strength. We invite you to partner with us as we expand our mission and impact.

Q1-Q2 2026 – Partner with NZ - Seeking strategic advisors in workflow adaptation, inclusive space design, and hospitality business planning. Developing subsidy and support strategies.

Q3-Q4 2026 – First Café Buildout - Acquiring property, obtaining permits and licenses, executing inclusive design features and wayfinding. Hiring and training staff and management.

Q4 2026 – Grand Opening - Opening our first Normal Zebra Café in Portland, Oregon by Q4 2026. This will be a blueprint for inclusive employment and spaces across the NZ ecosystem.

Q1 2027 – Investing in Inclusion - Developing capital plans to scale the Normal Zebra model to new communities and ventures.