The journey: from experience to action

My path to entrepreneurship wasn’t conventional. I started my career as a digital assistant, working my way up to Head of Digital, working through the demands of the creative industry. But as I climbed the career ladder, I reached a turning point. I had to make a choice. My mental health was suffering, and I knew that if I wanted to build a happy and healthy future for myself, I needed to take a step back.

That decision wasn’t easy (believe me!), but it was necessary. I took time away from my career to truly understand my ADHD and autism, going through intensive training with ADDCA (ADHD Coaching Academy) and IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals). During this time, I realised something: I wasn’t alone. So many neurodivergent individuals like myself, especially in the creative industry, were struggling with the same challenges, yet the support and education just weren’t there.

So, I decided to test an idea. I set up Tania Gerard Digital to see if anyone would actually want to learn about neurodivergence and accessibility in business. That was just 10 months ago.

Today, we work with major brands across the UK and are making a real difference in people’s lives, not just through business strategy but through real actionable change in how workplaces and marketing teams embrace neurodivergence.

A business with purpose

What started as a solo consultancy has quickly grown into an in-demand service for businesses across industries. I work with companies to provide:

• Neurodiversity training: educating companies how to create inclusive workplaces that support neurodivergent employees
• Accessible marketing strategy: guiding agencies and their brands to ensure their messaging, customer journeys, and content resonate with diverse audiences (If your messaging isn't accessible, you will never reach 100% of your audience)
• Workshops and consulting: global corporations to SMEs and educational institutions, I provide tailored training for HR teams, leadership, and marketing professionals

My approach, ‘Accessible Marketing,’ is reshaping how businesses think about inclusion, establishing me as a leading voice in this niche space which is very exciting to be involved with.

I help brands rethink their entire approach to engagement, making inclusion a built-in, legal strategy, not just a tick box initiative.

Making an impact

Beyond my consultancy, I am committed to making accessibility a global conversation. As a TEDx speaker, I am bringing Accessible Marketing to the stage, helping leaders understand why inclusion isn’t just an ethical responsibility, it provides a competitive edge when utilised correctly.

As an ADHD UK Ambassador, I advocate for neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, speaking at conferences and collaborating with companies to push for real change.

I also work directly with educational institutions and charities, like WYK Digital and Leicestershire Cares, to ensure that the next generation of children and employees enters the workplace equipped with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves.

Challenges and growth

Like many founders, I’ve had to navigate the realities of scaling a mission-driven business. Running Tania Gerard Digital means balancing financial sustainability with the ambition to create real change.

In these early days it is all about wearing multiple hats like business development, content creation, marketing all while staying true to my core values of accessibility, inclusion, and authenticity. We will be expanding very soon with some brand new roles in-house.

Today, Tania Gerard Digital works with major brands and I’m proud to collaborate with industry leaders who share my vision. I’m looking forward to the next 10 months.

What’s next?

My work doesn’t stop at consultancy. I’m expanding my impact through:

• Speaking engagements at events like TEDxTamworth, Digital Women Live, Create Leicester, and Epic 25
• My podcast, ADHD Founders Unfiltered – a space where I candidly discuss living with ADHD with my co-host Kate Whitley
• A book on Accessible Marketing – a practical, neurodivergent-friendly guide for businesses looking to implement inclusion into their core strategies.

As I continue shaping the future of inclusive business practices, one thing remains clear: accessibility isn’t just an ethical legal requirement, it’s smart business and one that, despite the recent DEI/EDI news around the world, isn’t going anywhere. I am in the human business, not the numbers business just like many others are who believe in a fairer world.

One company at a time, we are removing the stigma of neurodivergence and I hope you will join me.

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