Entrepreneurship as a Disabled Creative

Building a Business that Works for You

Entrepreneurship is often sold as a 24/7 hustle. We’re told that success means endless productivity, long nights at the laptop, and the ability to say “yes” to everything. But if you’re living with disability (whether it’s physical, mental, or both) that narrative doesn’t just feel unrealistic. It feels impossible.

That’s because it is impossible. At least… impossible without burning out or betraying your own health and your own needs. But that doesn’t mean disabled creatives don’t belong in business. In fact, it means we bring something vital to the table: a different way of working. It’s a way of working one that challenges the old model and proves there’s more than one path to success.

I’ve certainly learned this the hard way. Living with multiple disabilities and neurodivergence's, I’ve had to build my business in ways that most mainstream guides don’t (or won’t) talk about. My reality includes hospital stays (I’m actually writing this from a hospital bed), days when my brain simply won’t cooperate, and stretches where energy is scarce. But it also includes seasons of creativity, resilience, adaptability, and innovation that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

This isn’t about working despite disability.
It’s about working with it.

Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

Traditional entrepreneurship advice tends to idolise speed and scale. The faster you grow, the more successful you are. But disability forces you to rethink success.

I’ve found success is not about endless growth. It’s about creating something sustainable. It’s about creating a business that supports me, rather than draining me. That means:

• Prioritising sustainability over speed. Growth is meaningless if I collapse on the way there.

• Measuring impact instead of hours. I don’t need to work 40+ hours a week to deliver value.

• Celebrating progress in seasons. Some months are full of creative output; others are quieter. Both are valid.

This mindset shift felt uncomfortable at first. It felt like failure to rest when I thought I “should” be working. But now? I run a stronger business now than I did when I tried to mimic hustle culture.

Disabled Creatives as Natural Problem-Solvers

Living with disability(s) means you’re constantly adapting. You’ve had to navigate inaccessible systems, advocate for your needs, and invent (and reinvent) new ways of doing things. That daily resilience translates directly into entrepreneurship.

• Resourcefulness: I’ve learned to make the most of limited energy and time, which has sharpened my ability to prioritise what really matters.

• Empathy: My lived experience makes me more attuned to others’ struggles. This shows up in how I design services and build brands that are human-first, not profit-first.

• Innovation: When “standard” business models don’t fit, you create your own. That innovation often makes businesses more unique, authentic, and appealing.

These aren’t weaknesses. They’re competitive advantages.

Building a Business That Works With, Not Against, You

If you’re a disabled creative dreaming of entrepreneurship, the key isn’t to “keep up” with everyone else. It’s to build a business around who you are.

Here’s how I approach it:

1. Design around your energy levels

My energy levels aren’t linear. Some weeks (or months) I’m buzzing with ideas, others I’m managing the bare minimum. I structure my work around these cycles: batching content in high-energy seasons, scheduling client calls at times of the day when I’m most focused, and leaving space for recovery.

2. Build Transparency into your Brand

Sharing my lived experience (in safe, intentional ways) has become part of my brand. It not only helps me set expectations with clients, but it also creates trust. People connect with real humans, not polished facades.

3. Protect your Boundaries like Gold

I’ve had to learn to say “no.” Not because I don’t want opportunities, but rather overcommitting leads to burnout. Boundaries aren’t barriers to growth. Boundaries are what make growth possible.

4. Measure Success Differently

For me, success isn’t “7 figures in 7 months.” It’s publishing a book that tells my story. It’s designing a brand that helps a small business owner feel seen. It’s creating a community around my work. These achievements matter more than hitting arbitrary revenue milestones.

Why Disabled Entrepreneurs Matter

Representation matters. When disabled creatives start businesses, we don’t just earn a living for ourselves: we reshape the business landscape.

We show clients, peers, and the wider community that entrepreneurship isn’t one-size-fits-all. That success can be built around care, creativity, and connection rather than constant hustle. And we open the door for others to see themselves in business ownership, even when society tells them they don’t belong.

The more disabled entrepreneurs there are, the more inclusive, sustainable, and human-centred business becomes for everyone.

A Word of Encouragement

If you’re a disabled creative considering entrepreneurship, know this: your story and perspective are your strengths. Your business doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

In fact, it shouldn’t.

Start small. Honour your energy. Tell your story. Build your systems around your life (not the other way around).

The world doesn’t need another cookie-cutter entrepreneur. It needs you.

👉 Ready to build a brand and business that honours both your story and your strengths? Connect with me and let’s craft something that works with you, not against you.