Our story

From family advocacy to inclusive entrepreneurship.

Amanda Gillespie founded The Empowered Entrepreneur in March 2024 after advocating for her neurodivergent children. What began as AG Virtual Assist is now a hub for founders seeking compassionate support, training, and community.

Portrait of Amanda Gillespie standing with members of The Empowered Entrepreneur team
Amanda and the Empowered Entrepreneur team ensure every service is grounded in empathy, strategy, and neurodiversity advocacy.

Amanda’s why

When Amanda’s children received neurodivergent diagnoses she leaned into calm systems, clear communication, and advocacy—skills her clients soon requested. Under the original AG Virtual Assist banner she supported founders with heart, then expanded into a broader, more inclusive ecosystem.

Personal touches

  • Fife-based, Amanda spends weekends exploring coastal trails with her family.
  • She is a lifelong stationery enthusiast who designs colour-coded systems for calm.

Our journey

2018

Amanda launches AG Virtual Assist, supporting local business owners with virtual admin and events.

2021

Neurodiversity advocacy becomes central as Amanda navigates diagnoses with her children and more clients share similar experiences.

2023

The Empowered Entrepreneur Podcast premieres, amplifying stories from entrepreneurs with diverse neurotypes.

March 2024

The Empowered Entrepreneur brand is born, expanding into networking events, training programmes, and a collaborative support team.

Meet the team

We’re a collective of strategists, administrators, financial specialists, and content creators—all passionate about inclusive entrepreneurship. Many of us are neurodivergent ourselves, or close to someone who is.

Amanda Gillespie

Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer

Leads strategy, client onboarding, and the podcast. Favourite tool: voice notes with written summaries.

Isla McKenzie

Operations & Finance Lead

Specialises in cashflow calm and finance accessibility with colour-coded dashboards.

Rafi Patel

Community & Events Producer

Designs sensory-friendly networking experiences and manages our volunteers.

Jessie O’Connor

Marketing & Storytelling Coach

Helps founders show up online with sustainable content rhythms and repurposing plans.

Our mission

We create space, support systems, and community so entrepreneurs thrive regardless of neurotype. Operations, training, and storytelling help founders honour wellbeing and ambition.

Values we live by

  • Empathy over assumption
  • Transparency in pricing and communication
  • Accessibility woven into every service
  • Celebrating intersectional identities

We’re building a movement

Join our networking circles, participate in training, or partner with us to make entrepreneurship accessible. Together we’re crafting a future where every founder can be empowered and unstoppable.

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