Member Spotlight: Tasha Hairston Springs

Founder & CEO, Mindfully Aware Driving Solutions

At Flywheel, we’re proud to support founders who turn lived experience into bold, purpose-driven innovation. This month, we’re honored to feature Tasha Hairston Springs, a passionate advocate, speaker, and entrepreneur whose business is reshaping how we think about road safety.

Tasha is the founder and CEO of Mindfully Aware Driving Solutions (MAD Solutions)—a trauma-informed initiative focused on preventing distracted driving through storytelling, education, and advocacy. A recent graduate of the Center for Creative Economy’s Kinetic boot camp, she’s on a mission to save lives and spark a cultural shift around driving behavior.

Can You Share a Bit About Yourself and Your Business?

My name is Tasha Hairston Springs, and I’m the CEO and founder of Mindfully Aware Driving Solutions—where we mindfully solve driving problems.

My journey began with a single moment that changed everything. On October 17, 2012, I was driving and looked down at my phone to send a text. In seconds, my SUV flipped. I was partially ejected and woke up in a hospital with life-altering injuries—and the weight of knowing I had caused harm to others.

That day, my life fractured, but from that brokenness, MAD Solutions was born. I’ve spent years healing physically and emotionally, while turning my pain into purpose.

MAD Solutions is more than a business—it’s a mission. I advocate for safer roads, trauma-informed driving education, and a culture shift around distracted driving. Through storytelling, prevention programs, and the MAD Method, I speak to the heart of road safety with honesty and humanity.

What Inspires You in Your Work, and What Are Your Hopes for the Future of MAD Solutions?

What inspires me is knowing that one conversation can save a life. Every time I share my story, someone sees themselves in it. That moment of connection is where change begins.

My hope is that MAD Solutions will become a national voice for mindful driving—offering programming for schools, fleet companies, state agencies, and communities impacted by traffic violence. I see us expanding into policy influence, tech partnerships, and healing spaces that center both prevention and justice. I want to build a future where safety is sacred, not assumed.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Entrepreneurs?

Start with your why, stay rooted in it, and protect your peace.

Entrepreneurship is challenging—especially when your mission is personal. There will be hard days, days when you question everything. But when your mission is authentic, it will speak louder than your fear. Learn how to rest, not quit. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. And remember: your story matters more than your perfection.

How Has Your Professional Community Supported Your Journey?

Community has been everything. As an introvert and trauma survivor, I once believed I had to build this mission alone.

But programs like the Center for Creative Economy (CCE), Flywheel, and the Forsyth Tech Small Business Center have shown me what’s possible when you have an ecosystem that believes in your vision. They’ve connected me to mentors, helped me refine my business model, and challenged me to dream bigger. These spaces have given me structure, resources, and—most importantly—permission to show up fully as myself. And for someone like me, that means everything.