Can you share how your personal background and experiences have influenced your journey as a business owner?

From designing jewelry for the English National Ballet, to designing VR, to launching a disability-led yoga company I believe three factors helped shape my destiny to become a seasoned entrepreneur:

-        The first is my family background in owning antique shops. I believe this ignited my entrepreneurial spirit from an early age as we were taught to pick a 'specialty' collection and trade in it." The second is the fact that I was homeschooled for long periods of time during my recovery from multiple surgeries.

-         Teachers from my grade school would come to my house and provide personalized one-on-one tuition. I believe this individualised approach fostered independence, creativity, and a strong sense of self-direction.

-         The third aspect, and perhaps the most profound relevant to my experience of becoming an entrepreneur, is being Disabled since the age of two. Living with a disability means I often encounter barriers in various aspects of life, from physical accessibility to societal attitudes. Asa result, the necessity to find alternative paths through these obstacles has helped me develop a mindset of creativity and resourcefulness, enabling me to identify innovative solutions and pivot my approach when faced with challenges.

-         Perseverance has been my driving force in launching four companies from scratch, pushing me to never give up. It has enabled me to stay focused on my goals and to keep moving forward, regardless of the challenges that arise.

But ultimately, I believe humour and humility is the key to my personal style of entrepreneurship. Embracing humour has helped me maintain a positive outlook, even in difficult situations. Being humble has taught me to be open to learning from others, to acknowledge my limitations, and to treat everyone with respect and kindness.

Helping to improve the quality of Disabled people's lives feels like my destiny and the reason I was meant to bean entrepreneur in the first place. I don't just understand the needs of this target market — I live them every single day.

Addressing Bias and Barriers

Miranda, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome these barriers?

I’ve faced several barriers, including:

Physical Accessibility: As someone with a disability, navigating physical spaces has often been challenging. I’ve overcome this by leveraging technology and adaptive solutions, ensuring that environments and tools are accessible and inclusive.

Societal Attitudes: Negative attitudes and misconceptions about disability can be a barrier. I’ve addressed this by advocating for greater awareness and inclusivity, using my experiences to educate and shift perceptions.

Business Challenges: Starting and running multiple ventures required overcoming obstacles related to funding, market entry, and competition. I’ve tackled these by remaining persistent, continuously learning, and seeking partnerships and support networks to bolster my efforts. I am now a disability consultant for businesses looking to improve their products and services for disabled users.

Impact and Community

Can you provide an example of how your business has positively impacted your target community?

Our business has significantly impacted the target community by offering free adaptive yoga classes, which are crucial for those with disabilities. From personal experience, I know the profound benefits of yoga in enhancing physical, mental, and social well-being. For many, including myself, yoga has been a game changer, providing a toolkit for managing the stress and challenges of living with a disability.

The positive feedback we receive underscores this impact. For example, Siby Boyd, a paraplegic dealing with neuropathic pain, described our classes as "salvation," highlighting how adaptive yoga helps manage her pain and improve her quality of life.

Our classes not only improve physical health but also offer psychological benefits such as reduced stress, better mood, and increased resilience. They create a supportive, inclusive environment where participants can connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

Future Outlook

What message would you share with fellow entrepreneurs who aspire to build an impactful and inclusive business?

Prioritize Inclusivity from the Start: Design your products and services with diverse needs in mind. Ensure accessibility and representation are integral to your business model.

Leverage Personal Experience: Use your unique insights and experiences to drive innovation and address real-world challenges. Your personal journey can offer valuable perspectives that set your business apart.

Seek Continuous Learning and Feedback: Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement. Regularly seek feedback from your target audience and be open to adapting your approach based on their needs and experiences.

Build a Supportive Community: Foster a culture of empathy, respect, and collaboration. Surround yourself with a network of allies, mentors, and partners who share your commitment to making a positive impact.

Persevere with Passion: Stay resilient in the face of challenges. Your passion and determination will be key to overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term success.

SBI has a commitment to work to identify barriers to inclusion, implement strategies to address inequality, and advocate for an inclusive working environment where all SBI members and their stakeholders feel respected, heard and valued.

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A huge thank you to Miranda who was a major part of the BIG Growth Innovation Programme.

You can also visit the BIG website here.

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This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus