How to Clone Yourself as an ADHD Entrepreneur with Automation, AI & Apprentices

Sep 2, 2025

Will Christiansen, known as ‘The Tony Stark of Software,’ is a systems thinker and automation expert. In this lively discussion, he shares the whimsical idea of 'cloning' oneself to tackle the chaos of entrepreneurship, especially for those with ADHD. He discusses the transformative power of AI and automation in streamlining business operations. Will emphasizes building strong teams with 'entrepreneurial apprentices' and introduces his ‘15-1-1-5’ framework, all while reminding listeners to capitalize on their strengths and embrace delegation.

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ANECDOTE

Why He Wanted To Clone Himself

Will chased the idea of cloning himself after a prototype stalled and a competitor raised money on the same idea.
He recruited college apprentices and learned hiring copies of himself failed as they left to start businesses.

INSIGHT

Your Opposite Beats A Clone

Hiring exact clones amplified flaws like procrastination and unreliability.
Will found that hiring his opposite produced the most effective and enduring apprentice.

ANECDOTE

Clones Faded, Opposite Stayed

Will hired several clones who lasted three months and left to start their own ventures.
An opposite applicant worked for free, proved reliable, and became his best apprentice.

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In July 2020, I wrote a blog post titled “I Want to Clone Myself” and I’ve fantasized about cloning as the solution to growing my business many times since then. I bet you have too. Being an entrepreneur means wearing many hats, especially in the early years, and most of those hats are unflattering and don’t fit well.

Enter serial entrepreneur and fellow ADHD-er, Will Christensen, who has been called “The Tony Stark of Software” in the field of automation. In this fast-paced episode, Will and I unpack the challenges of scaling a business and how AI, automation, and what Will calls “top-tier human talent” are the elegant solution you may be looking for.

If you’ve struggled with overcomplicated, clunky systems that slow you down and failed to find team members who match your drive, creativity, and commitment, this candid conversation is packed with practical strategies that move the needle and boost your bottom line.

Guest Bio

Will Christensen (he/him) is a systems thinker and automation expert who helps entrepreneurs take back their time and scale their business. Will is the founder of The Entrepreneur’s Apprentice and host of Automation Hunter. He specializes in building teams and tech stacks that let visionary minds focus on what they do best.

Will is also a champion of the “Automate, Delegate, Eliminate” approach and has a brilliant strategy for hiring “entrepreneurial apprentices” who help founders scale without burning out. Will’s revolutionary“15-1-1-5” framework, which he developed to manage his own executive functioning challenges, is an ADHD-friendly alternative to traditional time management strategies.

Episode Highlights

You Don’t Need a Clone—You Need Your Opposite: Will reveals that hiring someone just like you might double your chaos, not your output. The real solution? Find an apprentice or two who complements your weaknesses and excels where you struggle. Sometimes, your best partner is someone with a different brain!
Automate, Delegate, Eliminate—In That Order: Learning to let go is harder than it looks, so start with identifying what can be automated (especially now that AI makes it easier than ever). Save your executive functioning and cognitive energy for the big, creative stuff rather than routine busywork.
Equity and Ownership Breed Commitment: Want your team to “own” their work? Will recommends offering phantom equity to empower top-tier talent to act as “mini-CEOs.” This transforms their sense of responsibility and buy-in, leading to loyalty and drive you can’t just hire for.

Mentioned by our guest

Automation Hunter YouTube Channel
Entrepreneur’s Apprentice
Kolbe Assessment
RemoteWork.com
Books referenced:
The E-Myth by Michael Gerber
The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Want to Find Out More?

Will is offering a FREE 15-minute call for ADHD-ish listeners to jumpstart your “Automate, Delegate, Eliminate” journey. And if he doesn’t blow your mind, he’ll give you a $50 Amazon gift card. (Spoiler: it never happens!)

Book your call now, for listeners of ADHD-ish only: EntrepreneursApprentice.com/adhd-ish/

Don’t forget to subscribe/follow the podcast, and leave a review so more ADHD-ish business owners can find THE podcast full of real talk and real solutions for neurodiverse business brains.