Discover the unique challenges that entrepreneurs with AuDHD face when starting a business. Learn valuable tips for navigating legal and tax considerations, tailored training programs, and the importance of understanding personal needs. Hear insights from those who have walked the entrepreneurial path and embrace the significance of past failures in fostering growth. With a focus on flexibility and self-compassion, this discussion emphasizes accessible resources to help prevent burnout and encourage a flourishing entrepreneurial spirit.
ADHD entrepreneurs often struggle with conventional business advice, necessitating a tailored approach that recognizes their unique challenges and needs.
Embracing a gradual approach to business development allows ADHD individuals to leverage their skills while reducing the fear of failure.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Starting an ADHD-Friendly Business
Many individuals with ADHD often find themselves gravitating towards self-employment due to difficulties in maintaining traditional jobs. This can result in a range of experiences, from struggling to keep jobs to encountering a myriad of entry-level positions. The speaker emphasizes that conventional business advice frequently fails to resonate with ADHDers, who may find the typical recommendations impractical or overwhelming. By sharing personal insights, the discussion acknowledges the unique hurdles faced by ADHD entrepreneurs, such as discerning valuable advice and financing their ventures.
Navigating Perfectionism and Understanding Needs
The quest for a perfect business model, often sought after by many ADHD individuals, can lead to unrealistic expectations. Acknowledging the complexity of managing a business, the speaker highlights the importance of understanding personal needs and recognizing that a business cannot fulfill all aspects of life. Embracing imperfection and being open to the process of trial and error is crucial for growth. This mentality encourages ADHD entrepreneurs to focus on achievable goals rather than a flawless vision of success.
Taking Incremental Steps in Business Development
The process of starting a business should be approached with moderation, acknowledging that overwhelming pressure can hinder progress. Individuals are encouraged to leverage their current skills and capacities to enact small changes and decisions without feeling compelled to make immediate giant leaps. This gradual approach allows entrepreneurs to build confidence and experiment freely, thereby reducing the fear of failure. By framing business development as a series of manageable steps, ADHDers can more effectively navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
Valuable Resources and Building Support Systems
Accessing resources tailored to aspiring ADHD entrepreneurs can significantly enhance their chances of success. Recommendations include utilizing local libraries, online platforms, and community resources to gather valuable information without incurring hefty expenses. Additionally, it's important to discern between general business advice and that which is specifically applicable to ADHD brains, fostering an individualized approach to learning. Building a supportive network—comprised of mentors, peers, and relevant resources—can create a nurturing environment that encourages growth and experimentation.
AuDHDers often end up partly or fully self-employed. It can be due to desire, or out of necessity.
Either way, this episode covers some tips to think about before starting. It may also be helpful if you've started businesses before and fallen for some bad advice (which I have).
Mentioned in Episode:
The interviews with Zann and Sam about their businesses