ADHD Entrepreneurs: 4 Challenges + Ways To Harness Your Brain's Power For Success

From time blindness to hyperfocus, learn how to work with your ADHD brain, not against it.

Turns out, your ADHD brain is BUILT for entrepreneurship. From hyperfocus-fueled hustle to crisis-mode brilliance, in part 1 of this series, we’re breaking down why your ‘flaws’ might actually be your unfair advantage. At the same time, your brain didn’t come with an ‘off’ switch for distractions (duh). But it DID come with a unique ability to create workarounds. From body doubling to ‘boring task bribes,’ in part 2, we're sharing real strategies for when entrepreneurship feels like wrestling a hyperactive squirrel.

ADHD Entrepreneurs: 4 Challenges + Ways To Harness Your Brain's Power For Success

Who Should Keep Reading/Listening

• ADHDers who’ve ever side-eyed a 9-to-5 and thought "I could do this better… if I could just find my keys" and cry into spreadsheets, but also solve problems like MacGyver

• Solopreneurs whose to-do lists multiply overnight

• Anyone who’s ever thought “I’ll remember that hilarious social post idea” (you won’t)

• Anyone who’s been called "too much" (spoiler: you’re exactly enough)

What You Get From These Episodes

Part 1

The ADHD Entrepreneur’s Superpowers:

• Risk-Taking: Why your "impulsive" ideas often pay off (and when to pump the brakes)

• Problem-Solving: How your "jack-of-all-trades" brain outmaneuvers specialists

• Hyperfocused Passion: Channeling 3am passion projects into profit (without burning out)

• Justice-Driven Hustle: Why ADHDers excel at mission-driven businesses

Part 2

• Distraction Hacks: Why noise-canceling headphones + brown noise = focus magic

• Time Blindness Fixes: Pomodoro timers + Forest app (and why Caitlin’s phone lives in another room)

• The Body Double Effect: How Discord groups/TikTok live sessions trick your brain into productivity

• Brain Dumps That Don’t Backfire: Why "revise paragraph 1" beats "write landing page"

• Outsourcing = Survival: When to pay the "ADHD tax" (and what to do if you can’t afford it)

Listen Here

Part 1

Part 2

ADHD & Entrepreneurship: How to Weaponize Your Chaos (And Make the Best of the Rest)

Let’s get one thing straight: if you’re a freelancer, solopreneur, or small biz owner with ADHD, you are an entrepreneur—whether you’re running a startup or a side hustle from your couch.

Science agrees: A Syracuse University study found ADHD leaders often outperform neurotypical peers. Here’s why your brain is secretly built for business… and how to handle the parts that feel like wrestling a hyperactive raccoon.

ADHD Entrepreneur Superpowers

1. Risk-Taking (But Make It Strategic)

The Upside: That "impulsive" idea everyone side-eyed? It could be your next revenue stream. ADHD brains thrive on novelty and calculated risks.

Pro Tip: Pair impulsivity with one grounding question: "What’s the worst that could happen?" (If the answer isn’t "financial ruin," go for it.)

2. Problem-Solving on Steroids

The Upside: See gaps others miss? Hyperfocus on solutions? Congrats—you’re the MacGyver of business.

Pro Tip: Use your "fix-it" drive for clients and yourself. Stuck? Ask: "What would I recommend to a friend in this situation?"

3. Passion That Pays (Literally)

The Upside: When ADHDers care, we dive deep. No one builds a business in a field they hate.

Watch Out: Passion ≠ sustainability. Set boundaries before you burn out on 3 am "genius" ideas. And don't buy anything unless this plan has stayed with you for over 2 weeks. Just trust me on this one, mmkay?

4. Comfort in Chaos

The Upside: Crises? You’re weirdly calm. Launch phases? Your playground.

Reality Check: Chaos isn’t a business model. Routine (yes, even loose ones) prevents burnout.

The ADHD Entrepreneur’s Kryptonite

1. Distractibility

Try This:

• Noise-canceling headphones + brown noise (or bilateral nature sounds—see here)

• "Library rules" work sessions (even at home—fake a "do not disturb" sign)

• Phone jail (literally... Put it in another room.)

2. Time Blindness

Hacks That Work:

• Forest app (grow trees, not guilt—see here)

• Body doubling (Discord groups, TikTok/Instagram-live work sessions)

• Artificial deadlines (Bribe a friend to set one for you)

3. The Boring Stuff

Survival Mode:

• Pair tedious tasks with dopamine (Audible + invoicing = tolerable)

• Outsource first (Can’t afford a VA [virtual assistant]? Start with one task on Fiverr.)

• "Boring days" (Block Mondays for admin—mourn creatively afterward.)

4. Memory Glitches

Systems > Willpower:

• Brain dumps (But add next-step actions—thanks, @CoachingWithBrooke!)

• Client emails (Always reply with: "Just confirming: I’ll do X by [date].")

• Sticky notes (Put them where you can’t ignore them—like your laptop screen. And if you move the sticky note, put it where you won't miss it later.)

The Unsexy Truth

Running a business with ADHD isn’t about "fixing" yourself—it’s about:

1. Leaning into your superpowers (Your hyperfocus is a competitive edge.)

2. Building scaffolds for the hard parts (Timers, outsourcing, and radical self-acceptance.)

3. Remembering: "Done" beats "perfect" every time.

ADHD Entrepreneur Toolkit

• Listen: Part 1: ADHD Business Superpowers

• Read: ADDitude’s ADHD Entrepreneurship Guide

  • Great Job! A Career Happiness Formula for Adults with ADHD | ADDitude Mag

  • ADHD in the Workplace: Strategies for Shining on the Job | ADDitude Mag

  • Entrepreneurship and ADHD: Fast Brain, Fast Company? | ADDitude Mag

• Try: Forest App (or other Pomodoro timers) | Focus@Will (Science-backed soundtracks)

  • Caitlin uses Be Focused as her pomodoro timer and sets the worktime for 50 minutes with a 10-minute break

P.S. Voting for the Women Podcasters Awards closes May 31! Click here to vote for us in 30 seconds (we’ll love you forever).

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Make good choices,

Caitlin & Jenny

Other Sources & Mentions in this episode

• CK & GK’s Digital Decluttering Series: Declutter Your Computer and Phone

• @CoachingWithBrooke on Instagram

• Bilateral nature sounds playlist: Listen here​

Shout Outs

• Roots In Ink by Ariella Monti: Use code CKANDGK for 20% off your copy at ariellamonti.com/shop

• TULA Life Balanced: Outsource the everyday tasks! Use code GROWNUP20 for 20% off your first service.

Who We Are

Caitlin Kindred: Serial avoider of calling to make appointments, ADHD business owner, and reformed "I’ll just wing it" strategist.

Ariella Monti: Author of Roots & Ink, tiny puzzle addict, and advocate for "outsource anything that makes you want to cry."