Taking care of business, the autistic way!

In this episode, Angela and Matt chat with Arielle Juliette (he/him, she/her), owner of Dance Life Studio and Fitness in Madison, Wisconsin, on building burnout-proof businesses and breaking the mold for autistic entrepreneurs.

Here’s what to expect in this episode:

* Arielle Juliette has created an inclusive space that celebrates neurodivergence and champions autistic advocacy—where setting boundaries and office hours are all part of the rhythm to avoid "dancing on the edge" of exhaustion!

* They discuss Arielle’s unexpected success on social media, the surprises of going viral, and the value of a comment moderator. She also shares how supportive comments with mixed intentions can sometimes sting even more than direct hate.

* A key topic in this episode is the intersection of capitalism and neurodiversity, highlighting how neurodivergent individuals in the workplace deserve to have their needs met without having to work harder than others to gain support and recognition.

“When our energy is gone, we are good to no one. So I must take my time to protect and replenish my energy in order to be of service to the fine folks who have not yet received emails from me. ” - Arielle Juliette

“Well, that’s the thing about being autistic itself, because, for a lot of people, you’re not autistic unless an outside observer determines your autism. So we’re not busy unless an outside observer determines whether or not we’re busy, even though mentally we are cycling through the next week or putting things in order or, you know, just to have it going through the autistic inertia of ‘I need to do this, but before I do this, I need to do this. And I need to put this in order in order to be able to do that.’ You’re doing the mental chess necessary. ” - Matt Lowry LPP

“Like, I wanna tell all my stories and then I’m like, why do people have to comment? And if you did comment, why didn’t you comment the way I want you to? Now you’re ruining my life.” - Dr Angela Kingdon

“We’re worthy of being comfortable [in our business] and being paid for our things. And we don’t need to work harder than everybody else. And we deserve to have our needs met in order to give to people, because you asked like, what do we owe?” - Arielle

Arielle Juliette's Bio

Arielle Juliette (he/him, she/her) is the owner and operator of Dance Life Studio and Fitness in Madison, Wisconsin, where she has cultivated a space that celebrates neurodivergence and champions autistic advocacy. With a deep love for dance that began in 2004, he specializes in Egyptian dance and focuses on making movement accessible for all bodies and neurotypes, breaking free from the rigid norms of allistic standards.

As an autistic entrepreneur, Arielle has reimagined what it means to run a business by prioritizing emotional regulation and setting boundaries that support her well-being. He has structured his business to align with his neurotype, including establishing office hours that help prevent burnout, proving that working with who you are can lead to a thriving career. In addition to leading Dance Life Studio, Arielle is also a viral social media creator, where she shares her unmasked, joyful autistic self and promotes the idea that all bodies and minds are worthy.

Through her work, Arielle is a strong advocate for embracing authenticity in both business and life, encouraging others to honor their neurodivergent selves.

Did you notice how Arielle’s approach to business embodies the balance between authenticity and advocacy? Dancing to the beat of her own drum and breaking the mold for autistic entrepreneurs, Arielle is proving that success comes when you honor your neurotype. Thanks for joining us! Share your thoughts in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with fellow listeners. What traits from Arielle’s journey resonated with you this season?

Resources:

Wikipedia Entry for Belly Dance

https://www.madisondancelife.com/arielle

https://www.instagram.com/madisondancelife/?hl=en

Related Episodes:

Belly Dancing is Autistic

Careers are Autistic

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