Louie and William Tandiono-Cellona

Louie and William Tandiono-Cellona

Breaking Barriers: A Path to Inclusive Empowerment

BY CHANELLE HAYES / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CASHMAN PHOTO

One thing that defines Louie Tandiono-Cellona, CEO of TC Group, a Las Vegas-based business consulting firm he co-founded with his partner-turned-husband, William, in December 2023, is his unwavering passion for people.

“As successful as I am in business, I have one philosophy,” he says. “I don’t do what I do for money. I don’t pursue it for anything other than a simple meaning behind it all. I want people to know and feel they have a meaning and purpose in life. I think it’s important to be that way because everything else will follow if you do something from the heart.”

Louie’s journey from growing up in the Philippines to his family’s move to the United States has deeply influenced his commitment to giving back.

“I didn’t want to take my life and the opportunities I was given for granted,” he reflects.

This journey shaped his perspective and fueled his dedication to helping others. As his family’s breadwinner, Louie wanted to work much harder to repay his mom’s sacrifices and everything she did to get him where he is today.

Louie knew he didn’t want to continue as a nurse, even though that’s where he started his medical career.

He transitioned to business, earning a Bachelor of Science in business administration, management and operations in 2016. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from Capella University in 2018.

William’s path to entrepreneurship began in Indonesia, where his parents instilled the values of leadership and success from an early age. Their vision for him to take over the family’s packaging business and become a successful businessman ignited his passion for business.

This passion, coupled with his academic learning, led him to pursue a business education. In 2012, he graduated from the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce degree with an emphasis on transportation and logistics.

Throughout his career, William has been self-taught on how to become a successful digital marketer. He worked at Cirque du Soleil for over five years, where he learned the art of digital marketing and social media management.

Louie and William got together in 2014 and have been inseparable ever since. Not only were they partners in their personal lives but also in business.

Together, they launched Tancell Care in 2018, an organization that offers resources, care and support to individuals in Southern and Northern Nevada with developmental disabilities and behavioral health issues.

“Before William and I met, I was in the behavioral health industry,” says Louie, who once served as a resident operations manager for New Beginnings Behavioral Treatment Agency and director of operations and marketing for Liaison Behavioral Health.

He also held several leadership roles within Seven Hills Behavioral Health Hospital.

Tancell Care was profoundly inspired by Louie’s younger sister, Ladyann, who has Down syndrome.

This personal connection, born out of love and a desire to make a difference, is at the heart of their work in the disability services sector. It fosters a sense of empathy and understanding, making them feel the emotional depth of their work.

Tancell Care takes a unique approach by offering various services designed to empower the individuals it serves and facilitate their integration into the community. The organization works with direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide daily support in residential and in-home settings. These professionals help individuals reach their personal goals while coaching, guiding, and supporting them through daily tasks.

Similarly, the Autism Pride Center (APC), a job and day training (JDT) provider that Louie and William launched in 2023 under the TC Group umbrella, provides a supportive environment for those with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

“We know that the intellectually disabled population is the most underserved, so we wanted to be that 1 percent at least to provide a difference through pre-vocational training, job exploration and day habilitation services and programs,” Louie says.

Like Tancell Care, Louie’s sister, Ladyann, utilizes APC’s services and programs.

“I’ve been dealing with her all her life, and I say ‘I’m dealing with her purposefully’ because she’s also my sister, so she’s just as sassy as I am. I was surprised by many things when working with her through APC. Even though computer skills might have been difficult for her, she was very fond of the technology program.”

After four or five months in the program, Louie went in for a surprise visit and saw her working with one of the center’s DSPs.

“She was answering math problems on the computer utilizing the mouse and keyboard,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘Where did you learn the skill from? I didn’t even know you could do that.’ So, seeing that was very inspirational for me, as her brother.”

Ladyann’s story is just one of the many inspiring success stories of individuals helped by Tancell Care and APC. These programs not only provide resources and support but have empowered individuals to discover and pursue their passions, leading to transformative changes in their lives.

Another moving story is about a woman who first came to Louie and William through Tancell Care in 2019 with many restrictions, including being unable to be around sharp objects.

“After working with her for a few years, we saw her progress, and when she was ready to find employment, we began assisting her at APC,” William says.

Not knowing her passion, she came with an open mind and took a keen interest in the beauty and fashion department.

“In those industries, you’ll always be around sharp objects, like scissors and needles, so we were initially scared when she wanted to pursue it,” William says.

“However, her growth and determination to overcome her fear led her to aspire to become a cosmetologist. Knowing that she can thrive in that setting by giving her resources and the opportunity to be exposed to the industry moved me.”

APC also offers programs and activities to promote social development, including art classes and group outings, and frequently provides workshops on independent living skills, such as budgeting, to help participants gain independence.

Those interested in getting assistance through Tancell Care and APC must undergo a specific process, as all of their contracts are through the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division and the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.

If someone were interested in services, they would first have to have a primary diagnosis of some intellectual disability, such as Down syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome, mild intellectual disability or autism. Then, they would have to have a case open with the Desert Regional Center.

According to Louie, once a case is open, the individual would be put on a waiting list. “Right now, we have almost 4,000 people on a waiting list because there are approximately 22 providers available,” he says. “So, as you can imagine, our waiting list is also pretty high.”

However, sometimes, an individual’s circumstances can take priority over others depending on their level of need. “Some providers will accept individuals with higher behavioral acuity, while others might consider those with higher medical acuity,” he says.

After a case is opened with the Desert Regional Center, the case manager will send a referral to see if they would fit one of Tancell Care or APC’s services and programs.

According to Louie, each case is different, but once someone gets into one of their programs, they can serve them for as long as they feel they need to gain that level of independence, with some needing assistance throughout their lives.

“They were born with a little bit more needs and have never seen normalcy the way we who aren’t intellectually disabled would see it through our own lenses,” he says.

For them, everything is new. “When they learn something new, they’re so grateful for it,” he adds. “We need to teach them skills continuously. So, our longest participant has been with us since we opened Tancell Care in 2018.”

To reach more people in the community, the dynamic duo has actively formed partnerships with local businesses and brands that support individuals with disabilities.

In August 2024, they collaborated with Swim Week Las Vegas, presented by Art Hearts Fashion. The event was not only about bringing the hottest fashion and entertainment to the stage but also about making a difference by collaborating with APC to emphasize its dedication to representation and inclusion for everyone.

“The partnership allowed the individuals we serve to not only walk down the runway but also wear designer clothing and showcase the designs they made down the runway,” William says.

“They were so ecstatic about the opportunity. It melted our hearts to know we created a fashion show for them. It made us want to do so much more.”

Continuing along in the fashion realm, Louie and William’s TC Group will host Equilora, a fashion show and charity gala celebrating individuals with disabilities, at IPEC Las Vegas on March 13.

Its name encompasses many things. Equilora perfectly blends equity (inclusivity and fairness) with aura (distinguished and empowering presence) to unite and uplift the community.

Proceeds from Equilora will benefit FEAT of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit committed to enhancing the lives of those in need.

The idea of Equilora came from APC’s involvement in Swim Week Las Vegas.

“The individuals we work with through the center get a chance to showcase their skills throughout the entire production of the event, from everything from the music and artwork to the fashion,” Louie says.

In addition, APC is also a corporate sponsor for Vegas PBS and works with them on many endeavors. Their partnership was formed after meeting with Irene Pengson from Vegas PBS, who kindly gave William a tour of their production site and spoke about Vegas PBS and its vision and mission.

After the tour of their production site, William was informed that they wanted to partner with an organization to support a new program they were developing.

William immediately jumped in without hesitation and worked out a deal with Vegas PBS. The program became the PBS Kids series “Carl the Collector,” which educates the community about autism. “It was a great privilege for APC to support the series because it showcases the daily life of an autistic child,” he says.

Putting more perspective on it, many people in the community don’t know how to deal with a person who has a disability, let alone interact with them through a simple conversation.

“This show provides a positive picture of that,” William says, adding, “Individuals with disabilities need a space in the community to be acknowledged, understood, respected and appreciated, just like others want to be treated.”

Louie and William will also collaborate with online retailer Zappos and move into the Zappos building, which will house both the TC Group and Tancell Care.”

“Zappos will be one of their larger community partners for the year,” Louie says. “Not only does Zappos specialize in adaptive shoes for people with disabilities, but their company culture and vision align with ours, which makes it the perfect partnership.”

William added, “We’re working on some projects with Zappos that we can’t disclose now. But when the time comes, I am sure that Chic Compass will be one of the first to know.”

Other major moves for Louie and William coming in 2025 include opening up their services to youth as young as 14 with their first-ever summer camp and after-school programming.

They’re also creating a different type of JDT specializing in the restaurant industry. They’ll partner with Aloha Kitchen to teach individuals with disabilities how to do everything from dishwashing and prepping meals to customer service skills and taking orders. This will help them get hired by restaurants or through an enclave program, a paid training to work as a team alongside other employees.

Louie and William have worked with more than 350 individuals with disabilities in Southern and Northern Nevada and hope to double that number by the end of 2025.

Not only have they helped so many people, but they also employ more than 300 employees at their facilities and companies.

“To do that within seven years is amazing; the sky’s the limit for us,” Louie says graciously.

“Our leaders and staff members are equally as passionate about the service of the individuals and the population we serve, and for that, we’re truly grateful for them.”

To learn more about TC Group’s business consulting services, visit www.tcgroupmgmt.com.

For more information on Tancell Care or the Autism Pride Center, visit www.tancellcare.com or www.autismpridecenter.com.