A new programme specifically designed for neurodivergent entrepreneurs launches today (Thursday 20th November), addressing a critical gap in mainstream business support.
Business Unmasked, led by ADHD coach Suzy Jackson and Celebrate Difference founder Nicola Jayne Little, supports neurodivergent business owners to operate in a way that works best for them.
Despite self-employment being on the rise, and almost two thirds of neurodivergent entrepreneurs feeling that starting their own business was the only way they could make a living, mainstream business support is still largely designed for neurotypical brains – leaving an increasing number of entrepreneurs without the support they need.
Business Unmasked aims to directly tackle the growing need for neurodivergence-informed business support that addresses the specific needs of entrepreneurs with ADHD, autism and other neurodivergences.
Business Unmasked founder Suzy Jackson explained: “20 years in the business support sector means I saw a lot of very targeted interventions designed to create business prosperity, and we have a wealth of expertise and a great track record right here in the North East for doing that.
“But this is a group whose unique needs haven’t yet been understood or addressed – and yet, a group where sustainable self employment is a vital route to economic activity, important both for the individual and for the wider economic backdrop.”
Co-founder Nicola Jayne Little said: “Having supported other small business owners since 2009, my own research has shown me that 40% of those entrepreneurs, like me, were neurodivergent but didn’t realise it.
“There’s been a big movement in recent years; people want to understand themselves better and get tailored support which takes into account how their unique brain works. It’s right that they can – because it’s our two neurodivergent brains that have come together to create Business Unmasked!”
Welcoming its first cohort in January 2026, the programme works closely with neurodivergent business owners to understand their unique needs, offering practical support through online and in-person workshops, troubleshooting advice sessions, accountability and goal setting support, and access to a peer support community – where they’re welcome to show up as themselves.
During its pilot phase earlier this year, Business Unmasked grew organically from eight to 13 participants in just a few weeks, and secured extremely positive feedback from participants.
Nicola Salmon, owner of Fat Positive Fertility and participant in the programme’s pilot phase, said: “Business Unmasked has been instrumental in helping me find consistency and more joy in my business.
“As a solo business owner, it feels so special to be supported by a whole group of people with different expertise that they bring to the sessions. Suzy, Nicola and the whole team are utterly magical and I doubt there is anything in the business world they don’t know or couldn’t find a way to support you through.
“I feel so held in the group whilst also being challenged to think about things in a way that better fits my brain rather than just doing what I’ve been told by neurotypicals.”
Ahead of the pilot, Suzy and Nicola – both neurodivergent themselves – spent months researching the intersections between highly valued business support, and the ways in which particularly ADHD and autistic entrepreneurs are uniquely impacted in their self employment, resulting in a unique Business Unmasked system to deliver targeted personalised interventions at scale.
Suzy added: “This is what equality and equity can look like in the business support space – just giving people the right opportunity to overcome their obstacles and create lives and businesses that work for them, because that also works for the economy at large.”
Those who sign up to the programme by 30th November can claim a free 1:1 strategy call when the first cohort begins in January 2026.
To find out more or to sign up, go to https://businessunmasked.co.uk/.