Host Amanda Divito Parle sits down with entrepreneur and changemaker Leah Martin, co-founder of A Brighter Community (ABC), for a powerful conversation about purpose-driven entrepreneurship, risk, empathy, and what it truly means to build a business rooted in dignity and love.

After spending more than two decades in a highly technical career in satellite imagery and geographic information systems, Leah shares how an unexpected connection to the Down syndrome community changed the trajectory of her life. Together with her business partner, Robin Sattel, Leah helped build A Brighter Community—a day program for adults with developmental disabilities designed to provide meaningful days, meaningful work, and a deep sense of belonging. At ABC, participants are not clients—they are friends—and that distinction shapes everything.

Throughout the conversation, Amanda and Leah explore the intersection of business and compassion, from hiring and retaining mission-aligned employees in a high-turnover industry to navigating Medicaid funding, real estate ownership, and the realities of risk as a business owner. They discuss the importance of supported employment, community integration, and long-term planning for adults with disabilities—especially as parents age. With clarity, humility, and heart, Leah offers a rare look at entrepreneurship that prioritizes people over scale, values over margins, and impact over ego. 🌱💙

Topics Discussed 🔑

• From Satellite Imagery to Social Impact How Leah transitioned from a 23-year career in mapping and remote sensing into mission-driven entrepreneurship.

• What Is A Brighter Community (ABC)? A day program for adults with developmental disabilities focused on dignity, love, safety, and meaningful lives.

• The Power of Complementary Partnerships How Leah and Robin balance operational leadership with programmatic expertise.

• Supported Employment & Community Integration Why meaningful work matters—and how businesses benefit from inclusive hiring.

• Entrepreneurial Risk & Leap-of-Faith Decisions From investing retirement funds to buying a building and carrying long-term debt.

• Funding, Medicaid Waivers & Business Reality How ABC operates as a for-profit service agency within a highly regulated system.

• Hiring, Retention & Culture in a Care Industry Why mission, relationships, and shared values—not money—keep people engaged.

• Serving Families, Not Just Individuals Navigating the complex dynamics of parents, caregivers, and long-term planning.

• Whole-Person, Whole-Life Care Why ABC believes in continuity—from day programming to residential support.

• Adjacent Ventures & Staying Focused Lessons from an escape room business, publishing projects, and mission-aligned creativity.

• Resilience, Risk Tolerance & the Entrepreneur’s Fire What business ownership teaches you when there’s no off-switch.

Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Leaders 🛠️

• Purpose-driven businesses can be financially sound and deeply human. • The right partner multiplies impact by complementing your strengths. • Risk tolerance is a prerequisite—not a side effect—of entrepreneurship. • Culture and values retain people when money can’t. • Language matters—how you name people shapes how you serve them. • Focus doesn’t mean stagnation; it means intentional growth. • Businesses can—and should—leave communities better than they found them.