So it’s been a whole year since I left the corporate world, after 23 years.

This past year has been a rollercoaster of amazing highs and incredibly sad lows.

In February 2020, exactly one year to the day, Hester and I launched Hudia.co.uk our PR and Web design agency. Which I am delighted to say has gone from strength to strength. We have worked with some amazing clients and continuing to grow our client base, in fact, we won two new clients just this week!

Hard work, determination and a sprinkle of luck

Of course, we couldn’t have imagined that just a few weeks after launching, we would be in the grips of the UK’s first national lockdown. The first six weeks were really tough, we actually lost our two largest clients, we couldn’t meet or network with other businesses, many companies were already pausing or worse shutting down and there was huge uncertainty about, well everything. And let's not even mention homeschooling.

We have learnt so much over that time, we have made some great decisions but also some mistakes, which have been lessons for us. Fast forward one year and thankfully, with a lot of hard work, determination and a little sprinkle of luck, we have survived. In fact I would go so far as to say we have flourished, albeit we have both aged at least 10 years, (so won’t be changing our profile image anytime soon ;)

Launching two businesses during the pandemic

Whilst all of this was going on, we then decided to launch another business. As if launching one new business in the midst of a global pandemic wasn’t (crazy) enough. We launched Perfectly Autistic A caring Facebook community which has now grown to over 400 members and a website full of free resources. Perfectly Autistic was initially set up to provide much needed support for parents, partners and people who are autistic, based on our own personal experience of little or no support, during mine and both children's diagnoses.

Helping Organisations understand neurodiversity in the workplace

Through this work, word soon spread and last year we were approached by Mind’s Mental Health In The Workplace. Shortly after, we partnered with them to produce an autism toolkit for employers. An area in which there is a huge lack of awareness and understanding. Being an autistic adult diagnosed at 44, I know only too well. Since that collaboration, things have really snowballed.

As well as continuing to support individuals, we now provide training and support for a number of large, global organisations. Increasing their knowledge and understanding around autism in the workplace and in-turn creating healthier, happier and more productive workplaces for all. And we have also partnered with the likes of O2 Business and Heathrow Express on neurodiversity campaigns and driving autism awareness.

Things haven’t all been sunshine and rainbows

Unfortunately, not everything for us in the past year has been a positive story. Sadly at the end of September 2020 my dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. This has understandably knocked the whole family. He was always so supportive of me leaving the corporate world and Hester and I setting up Hudia. I am so glad that he knew we had started this exciting journey of running our own business.

Looking ahead

Thank you for your support (even reading this supports us), whether you’ve given us a like or share on social media or sent us texts or emails of well-wishes. It really does mean a lot. Sending positive vibes to everyone out there and here’s to the next 365 days…cheers and stay safe!