Devon Lowndes has opened the doors to Self Agency, a specialist provider of neurodiversity training and consultancy services which seeks to switch the narrative by helping the world transform labels into lives.
Based in Bristol, the business has been able to move to the next level after Devon won a competition created by Istoria Group, a women-founded and owned collective of creative agencies. The initiative was supported by individuals from Babbasa, Black South West Network and Bristol University who also served on the judging panel.
Also based in Bristol, Istoria Group is a certified B Corporation dedicated to innovation, entrepreneurship and the local economy. As part of its Incubator Hub initiative, the competition sought to identify and support a regional, women-led micro business during its formative stages. Under the programme, Istoria Group will house and provide mentorship to nascent enterprises, guiding them through the initial phase of their development journey.
Commenting on the launch of Self Agency, Devon Lowndes said:
“This experience has taken my business from being an ‘under-the-bunkbed-business’ to having a proper home. It has taken what were passions and ideas into something tangible. As a businesswoman and this being my first venture into entrepreneurship, the journey has been invaluable.”
Devon, who has ADHD and is dyslexic, started Self Agency with her mother, Hazel, with a clear mission –to help organisations build cultures where everyone belongs and where all differences are celebrated.
This is still a grey area for many. To help create change, Self Agency offers a range of services, including neurodiversity organisational learning and development, creation of neurodiverse & EDI policies, and delivering talks to events and conferences.
Devon added:
“Next on our to do list is to take the building blocks we have in place now and further our vision, which is to make Bristol the neurodivergent capital of the UK. Longer term, the ambition is to take our message to the rest of the nation – that every individual brain is an asset. By utilising different environments, we can utilise these assets and make every individual feel like they truly belong.”
In winning the competition, Istoria Group provided Self Agency with rent-free office space for six months at its Bristol Paintworks HQ, alongside mentorship and in-house creative services, including a brand refresh by Phoenix Wharf and a website refresh by Tiny Spark. This support has helped to establish Self Agency’s brand and business fundamentals.
Istoria Group CEO, Sam Rowe, commented:
“We have been privileged to support Devon and Self Agency through what can be a fledgling business’s most challenging period. Their drive and passion are infectious, and it is true to say that we have been inspired throughout the process. This is the greatest thing about the Incubator Hub programme – it gives us an amazing opportunity to meet and learn from extremely talented people with fresh ideas that can benefit our region.”
https://www.self-agency.org/
https://www.istoriagroup.com/