Starting a Business as a Disabled, Neurodiverse Entrepreneur

Starting a business as a disabled, neurodiverse individual is tough… yet incredibly rewarding!

Four months ago, I took the leap. After a full year of full-time teaching, which was both meaningful and exhausting, my health was at its lowest. I was surviving the final term by sheer will alone. I was often sitting or lying on the floor at break and lunch just to steady my heart rate enough to teach. I loved my students and the classroom, but I realised something important: passion and conviction doesn’t always mean sustainability. Teaching, at least in the traditional sense, wasn’t giving me the balance I desperately needed.

Then, one conversation changed everything. A parent encouraged me to start my own business. Her belief in me became the spark that lit this journey. And, true to form, once I decide on something, I’m all in. Maybe that’s the autism, or maybe that’s just me… either way, I don’t do things halfway.

To the Beginning: Learning and Leaping

I reached out for help, connecting with Business Gateway, The King’s Trust, and SOSE (South of Scotland Enterprise). I threw myself into courses, workshops, and every learning opportunity I could find.

For context, I live with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which causes a range of symptoms including paralysis and POTS (a condition that makes my heart rate fluctuate drastically). These challenges can make daily life unpredictable (never mind running a business) but they’ve also shaped how I work and why I do what I do.

In August 2025, I joined two SOSE courses that completely changed things for me. If you’ve read my earlier blogs, you’ll know just how much these experiences meant. I found a community of brilliant, kind, and driven female entrepreneurs who’ve become my daily sounding board. We share wins, frustrations, and questions… and that support has been instrumental in my progress!

The Fear and Power of Social Media

Let’s talk about something that still terrifies me: social media.

Until recently, I avoided it almost entirely. I value privacy, and the idea of sharing parts of my life online felt daunting. But I’ve learned that visibility matters, especially, when your work is built around connection, community, and impact.

Like it or not, we live through our phones. Social media can be overwhelming, yes, but it also brings people together. It’s helped me find my audience, gather feedback, and connect with others who genuinely want me to succeed. And that, more than anything, has built my confidence, not just in my work, but in myself.

The Messy Middle

Now, apologies for my tangent, I’m good at those! So, why am I writing this blog post today? Because life is messy. Starting a business is messy: confusing, unpredictable, and yet so deeply rewarding.

Over these past months, I’ve met and connected with some truly inspiring people. The kind who radiate warmth and wisdom, who impact you in ways that stay long after the conversation ends. And even in my small, remote community, I’ve discovered there are so many like-minded, neurodivergent, and disabled individuals out there - people who just get it!

Having that space for learning, discussion, and understanding has been so powerful. These are people who have faced similar challenges, curiosities, and barriers, and that shared experience makes the connections deeper. It’s left me thinking, “I’m not the only one.”

It’s funny, isn’t it? We’re often told by professionals that “you’re not alone,” yet so much of life still feels like navigating a world that doesn’t operate the same way we do. When I reflect on these last few months, I’ve realised something: maybe many of us like-minded souls find it hard to fit into mainstream or “neurotypical” jobs. They’re draining. So instead, we create our own paths. Building businesses, following passions, and contributing in ways that feel sustainable and true. Unless you step into that world, you might never meet these incredible people who are absolutely slaying every day.

Rethinking What Young People Are Taught

One thing I’ve realised is how passionate I’ve become about helping young people, and adults too, see that creating your own business can be one of the most rewarding choices you’ll ever make.

In school, we’re guided towards steady, traditional careers. And there’s nothing wrong with that; some thrive in that stability. But where’s the guidance on becoming your own boss? Where’s the encouragement for young people who already sense that the conventional working world might not fit them?

Yes, there are apprenticeships and college courses, but what if someone’s dream is so niche, something entirely new, something they can’t find a clear path for? I often wonder about that. Because I never knew this was possible… that I could build a business supporting children and families who were desperate for the kind of help I now provide.

Finding My Direction

Of course, my brain never stops. I’m constantly dreaming up new ways to support children and families. Maybe, just maybe, my true calling is to help young people become their best selves: confident, capable, and unafraid to be different.

I keep circling back to the question: do I continue as a business owner focused on neurodiverse individuals, or do I broaden my horizons? Do I become a coach for all young people and their families?

Teaching will always be part of who I am. I’m deeply grateful for that experience, and it continues to shape everything I do. But perhaps it also makes my toolkit stronger. I can support people not only emotionally and educationally, but in mapping out their dreams, building confidence in their uniqueness, and carving paths that lead to fulfilment and pride.

Let’s Talk

So now, I want to hear from you.

If you’re a business owner: how do you grow and commit when your brain is overflowing with ideas? How do you decide what matters most to you and your clients?

To my fellow neurodivergent thinkers: what lights you up? Could that passion become a thriving business that fills your cup each day?

And to my disabled peers: how do you navigate the working world? How do you balance your health with ambition? How do you find fulfilment in a society that doesn’t always understand your daily challenges?

I genuinely want to know. I love learning! That’s probably clear from this rather long ramble… but I do. I love hearing about other people’s journeys, questions, and quirks.

Please share your story in the comments. I want to hear from every one of you.