Neurodiversity Equity Consultancy, founded by Reena Anand, specialises in the intersection of neurodiversity, race, and ethnicity. Its focus is on understanding how diagnoses such as ADHD and autism impact the experiences of people from global majority backgrounds, differently. Data shows that from early school through to employment, marginalised individuals often receive diagnoses and support later in life, face greater issues of psychological safety in the workplace, and see a lack of action taken when their diagnoses are shared. Its mission is to shine a spotlight on these issues and help organisations recognize and support neurodivergent employees within their workforce.

I learned about the MSDUK Accelerator after hearing the Managing Director, Reshma Sheikh, speak at the Diverse Business Summit. Her insights resonated with me, and after speaking with her, I realised the programme could equip me with the entrepreneurial knowledge needed to transform my passion-driven business into a self-sustaining, efficient, and scalable business. My overall experience with the MSDUK Accelerator was incredible. Every session was outstanding, and I never rated any less than a 10! The facilitators were fantastic and highly credible. As a founder who reads extensively, it was invaluable to have all this information consolidated into one space. It was empowering to be among peers who shared similar challenges and offered their learning experiences.

Key Learning Experiences

My top three most memorable sessions from the programme were Module 1: Customer Discovery and Validation; Module 5: Pitching, and the PR Workshops. Module 1: Customer Discovery and Validation was particularly impactful. I realised I had many assumptions about my customers based on my personal experiences therefore, the masterclasses challenged me to question the strength of my evidence for these assumptions. The follow-up task allowed me to reflect and revisit these assumptions, providing a strong foundation for my business strategy. Module 5: Pitching came at a perfect time as I had recently delivered a pitch for another programme. The insights I gained allowed me to refine my approach, which I applied during the Demo Day pitch. The PR Workshops were also practical and provided actionable targets to improve my PR style, website, and overall accessibility for my customers.

Implementing the Learnings

The module tasks were invaluable in transforming principles into actionable steps for my business. They challenged me to think about aspects of my business I hadn’t considered before. For instance, the Module 3: Marketing prompted me to engage in more conscious client outreach, leading to the creation of a one-page document. Additionally, I began working with our Module 2: Scaling Services facilitator on a 1-2-1 basis to document all my systems and processes, securing my business’s longevity.

After Module 4: Sales and Communication, I developed a list of services with different levels of accessibility for various clients. This differentiation has been beneficial in offering tailored solutions. The programme shifted my perspective from merely delivering value to solving specific problems for my clients. This approach has translated into better business outcomes, as I now focus on addressing the problem of losing valuable employees due to a lack of support.

As a new founder, I knew I needed to establish systems and processes within my business. The programme introduced me to new, insightful concepts. Although my business was growing organically, I recognised the importance of structure, processes, and systems. I left with various frameworks that I could adapt to my business needs.

Demo Day: Showcasing Neurodiversity Equity Consultancy

Participating in Demo Day was amazing. I was thrilled to pitch my business after implementing the program’s learnings. The event was well-organised making our pitches a central part of the day’s agenda. A representative from a large corporation identified with my scenario and expressed interest in starting a conversation about improving neurodiversity support within their organisation. Hearing everyone else’s pitches was also inspiring and showcased the diverse range of businesses present.

Reena’s Biggest Takeaway

The MSDUK Accelerator has shown me that success and growth should not be left to chance. By applying tried and tested methodologies, I can ensure my business’s success and growth. The more I use and adapt these methodologies to fit my business model, the greater the chances of success.