New event to celebrate disabled business founders

A new event is being held to celebrate disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent business founders in Shropshire.

Called National Ablepreneurs Day, it takes place on September 16 and will feature keynote storytelling, lived-experience talks, resources and networking dedicated to disability-inclusive entrepreneurship.

The line up of speakers includes Mark Esho MBE who is paralysed from the neck down and helps leaders and organisations transform adversity into high performance.

The Federation of Small Businesses and other local entrepreneurs and organisations will also be speaking.

The event has been organised by Shrewsbury-based entrepreneur and author Helen Pugh.

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Helen, who is herself a disabled founder, said she created the movement after 15 surgeries forced her out of the traditional workplace and into a community of founders navigating business with fluctuating capacity, disability and long-term health conditions.

Her grandmother was one of the first three students ever taken in by Dame Agnes Hunt at Derwen College in Oswestry, after losing her leg at seven due to a medical mistake.

Helen said: "Disabled entrepreneurs are building extraordinary businesses, not despite their conditions, but alongside them.

"National Ablepreneurs Day exists to show the UK that talent doesn't fade because of disability or illness. It just needs the right environment to shine.

“Too many extraordinary founders build incredible businesses while remaining completely unseen because they don't fit into a traditional mould."

The UK-wide initiative is calling for a rethink of how disabled and chronically ill people are expected to participate in the workforce and is on a mission to highlight entrepreneurship and freelancing as legitimate route for people whose health does not fit traditional employment.

Helen added: "Traditional work simply doesn't fit everyone.

"There are thousands of chronically ill entrepreneurs quietly contributing to the economy but they're invisible in policy discussions.

"We need to broaden the conversation. Employment is not the only route and, for many disabled people, it's not the right one.

"If the Government wants disabled people to thrive economically, it must acknowledge the full spectrum of ways we work.

"Entrepreneurship allows us to contribute on our own terms and that deserves recognition and support."

The National Ablepreneurs Day event runs from 10am to 2pm on September 16 at The Wroxeter near Shrewsbury. It is free to attend but places must be reserved on Eventbrite.