Share an experience or challenge that has shaped you? I believe inclusion is by design, about adapting systems, not asking individuals to mask or conform.
I learned this as Head of Art at inner-London schools while undiagnosed neurodivergent. I was intuitively adapting systems to survive, then began recognising myself in my students. I watched students from disadvantaged backgrounds become empowered, but most of my work was showing them possibilities they'd never seen because they lacked representation. A system prioritising test scores wouldn't support them beyond my classroom.

When I left teaching and started Ollie & Sid, I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. The infantilising support for neurodivergent adults. Full of the same limiting beliefs I'd spent years challenging in my classroom, was a turning point. It crystallised what I'd learnt: individual success within broken systems changes little.
That experience shaped my resolve to build differently, a studio where inclusive design isn't a nice-to-have, it's the foundation.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given? Clarity comes from action, not overthinking. You don't need to wait until you feel ready. You build confidence through doing the work, making mistakes, and learning publicly. That advice freed me from waiting for permission to start my studio

What advice would you give to your younger self or a woman just starting her career? Your difference is your edge, not something to minimise. The parts of you that don't fit the mould (your neurodivergence, your background, your perspective) are exactly what will make your work distinctive and valuable. Don't spend energy trying to fit in. Build something that reflects who you actually are, and the right people will find you.

What does success mean to you? Success is building something commercially effective that also builds bridges and empowers others. It's sustainability without compromise: when beliefs aren't something to work around, they're what powers everything that’s built.

How do you handle challenges and changes? What's in your toolkit? I build systems that work with my brain, not against it. I need structure and clear frameworks when things feel chaotic. I break big challenges into small actions, lean on my community for perspective when I'm too close to something, and iterate rather than perfect. I also keep evidence files (wins, positive feedback, completed projects) to counter imposter syndrome when it creeps in.

Why is it important to support women in business and women-led business? Because women face structural barriers, not capability gaps.
In the UK, women receive just 1% of VC funding despite women-led businesses contributing £105 billion annually to GDP.
Supporting women-led businesses corrects a market failure while creating space for diverse perspectives that drive innovation. When we support each other, we build alternative pathways to funding, visibility, and influence that don't require conforming to narrow definitions of 'professionalism' or 'credibility.' Diverse perspectives enable better critique, reflection, and innovation.