by Hoc Poeng on October 15th, 2007

Julie Azuma started Different Roads to Learning in 1995. The company sells learning products for children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities including Asperger’s Syndrome. In 1999, she created DRL Books Inc. a publishing company for books and manuals that were missing in the repertoire of books available to parents and teachers of these children. In August of 2005, she began the Mind and Memory Store which is dedicated to older adults with memory issues, developmental disabilities and to those in the varying stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The three companies provide service to over 30,000 customers.

Julie received a BFA in Apparel Design from Washington University in St. Louis. She had a thirty-year career in the apparel industry as a designer and merchandiser working at corporations including; Givenchy Sport, Collegetown, Jordache and Mast Industries, a division of The Limited.

In 1994, when her older daughter, Miranda, was diagnosed with autism at the age of six, Julie left the apparel industry to begin a niche business. At the time, there were limited resources to help autistic children. Therapists were constantly requesting materials and tools that were unavailable to most parents. Julie was able to find a core group of products that would help children with language and help parents shape their behaviors.

In February 2005, Julie was featured on CNBC on the Autism Epidemic. In April of the same year, she was named one of Inc. Magazine’s 26 Favorite Entrepreneurs, and was featured on the MSN version of Road Trip Nation in the summer of 2006.

She has been honored for her involvement in the Asian American Community and has received various rewards, including being given the Martin Luther King Jr.: I Have a Dream Award by Governor George Pataki. She has been honored but the Public Advocate’s office for Community Service. In 2005 she was honored by the Organization of Chinese Americans for Community Service and in May of 2006 she received the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Asian Business Leadership Award. She received a grant from the Mayor’s Commission on Women’s Issues Award in 2006. In November of 2006, she received a community service award from Eden II, an agency that supports individuals with autism. In April of 2007, she was honored with the Lotus Award given by the Coalition of Asian Pacific Association. Summer 2007, she was featured in Professional Women’s Magazine. In February 2008, she will be honored by the New York Families for Autistic Children.

For 25 years, Julie has been actively involved in the Asian American community. She is currently the chairperson on the board of Asian Women in Business, The Foundation Board at Eden II, an agency that works to educate and serve individuals diagnosed with Autism, and is on the board of the Japanese American Association. She is a past member of the board at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families and has served on the local board of the Japanese America Citizens League, Asian Americans for Equality, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre. She has also served on the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans, Day of Remembrance Committee and the Justice for Vincent Chin Committee.

Companies:
Different Roads to Learning, Inc.
DRL Books, Inc.
Mind and Memory Store, Inc.

Headlines:
Inc Magazine’s 26 Most Fascinating Entrepreneurs: Julie Azuma, Leading Your Company