Confessions of an ADHD business owner
ADHD in business
How I stopped running from my ADHD & changed my business to work WITH my whizzy brain.
In true ADHD fashion, an overshare.
Adhd struggles in business
Over the last 5 years in business, I’ve gone from Tech Virtual Assistant (agency owner) to Online Business Manager to niching fully into systems.
2022-2023 was my most challenging and confronting period yet. I would say the time I finally accepted my ADHD and started to make some BIG changes in my business to work better for my brain.
There is no hiding when running a personal brand.
No security blanket, the balloon can only be held under the water for so long - it has to surface.
My ADHD surfaced a LOT in 2022. It caused some major issues in my business from serious burnout to inconsistent client delivery.
And as I re(write) this blog in Spring 2025 - my old way of working is a distant memory.
It’s been an uncomfortable, messy and embarrassing path towards learning how I best serve others (and myself).
So let’s get into this confession blog.
A Virtual Assistant with ADHD? huh?
I see why I was drawn to being a Virtual Assistant back in 2020.
I desperately needed one myself. Wounded healer and all that. I knew the importance of this service, I really knew it.
But I could never understand the polarity between my systems & productivity obsession whilst being a naturally chaotic messy person - how is this co-existing in my brain please?!
In fact, I kinda felt like a fraud.
Aren’t VAs meant to be type A? The ‘Monica’ with impeccable attention to detail & excellent administrative skills - gulp.
The exact vices of an ADHDer.
I was masquerading as a highly organised neurotypical.
ADHD feels like a walking talking contradiction but ultimately, I have an interest-based brain and low dopamine which sees me grasping at stimulation where I can. Like a toddler has ran off with the remote.
Before I faced up to the realities of what ADHD truly is and means for me, I was running my Virtual Assistant business masquerading as an organised neurotypical.
A VA…you know, the thing that the government fund FOR people with ADHD (more here)
I have actually been obsessed with organisation tools, systems and tech since forever BECAUSE of my neurodivergence - in a desperate attempt to sort my life out and reduce all possible admin from my life.
I thought it was because I was an actual organised person.
I was wrong.
I am just very resourceful and have learnt to hack my brain to function in society.
So after this illuminating process, how have I changed things in my business? Read on.
ADHD accommodations in business...
Bye bye VA
The first step I took was changing the very structure of my Virtual Assistant agency so I was no longer doing any VA work myself.
That repetitive admin work for clients… I had my team of associates handling ALL of it.
I am simply not suited to administrative or repetitive work. Problem solving yes, but no matter how much I try to convince myself to ‘try harder’ it is just not sustainable energetically.
This was a slow transition over a year, initially with me acting as the project manager and slowly realising I was a HUGE bottleneck in the business.
I eventually moved to ONLY being a matchmaker, having my VA clients work directly with my team members from the get go - I was wheeled in for strategy as and when required.
It worked beautifully and freed me up for marketing, service design & growing the business.
Since then, my business has evolved further and I focus purely on systems projects.
But this was how I transitioned my VA agency to work MUCH better for my brain.
In turn, clients were beautifully supported with responsive, detailed, organised team members that acted as my client’s second brains - exactly what they needed.
2. Speedy Projects
Speaking of lanes, mine is 100m sprint. Do you relate ADHDers?
I focus on systems set ups and fast turnaround projects now.
A project that cannot be hyper focused and done fast is often a real challenge for me.
So I no longer do them.
Because once I have lost steam with something, there is no coming back. RIP.
I now don’t take on projects that cannot be completed in an intensive format.
And you bet I have steely systems and processes that make delivering a system project like clockwork. More on that below.
I stopped trying to make larger project work a thing for me. Unless it’s something I can do in a tight timeline, or have my team pick up parts of, I don’t take the risk now.
3. Prioritising passion
Passion is key for ADHDers, and a huge motivator for me so I prioritise working with business owners I can truly get behind their message.
Following gut instinct is quite helpful here. I know when my logical brain gets involved trying to ‘convince’ me of something, it’s probably not an ideal client to be working with.
I enjoy working with CHANGE makers, feather rufflers and those trying to achieve something bigger than themselves. Those on a mission.
Now I have created more space in my week, I have the ability to foster my own passions of the moment too.
Which often means learning something new. Coding, Decluttering, Listening to podcasts, visiting my friends, rollerblading…
This passion ripples into my business and gives me the FIRE.
5. Doing it ‘there and then’
I strike while the iron is hot. I have a serious case of ‘out of sight out of mind’ it’s a common experience of those with ADHD - object impermanence. So I now ‘do’ in the moment as much as possible.
That might look like…
Sending links & resources live in our zoom call instead of ‘I’ll email you that’
Call notes done live on a call with a shared google doc.
Sending the scheduler link whilst I am in the DM chat with you.
Follow up notes done IMMEDIATELY after the call whilst I am in that zone
It’s no surprise I rely a lot on tech - Iphone reminders, Moxie as my automation software, 1 grouped calendar for family stuff, work, birthdays.
Reducing the ‘I will get it to you’ has helped immensely with mental load and subsequent guilt if I forgot.
6. ADHD friendly diary
When I worked with retainer clients (I don’t now, only one off projects) I moved all my client calls to Thursdays. Some exceptions for discovery calls but my regular calls - Thursdays only.
It meant I only need to brush my hair and look respectable one day a week ;) Instagram story people - you are getting a filter or just my sleep deprived eye bags. I can also work from different locations easier when I don’t need to zoom proof.
I try not plan meetings before 10am - this is so I have time to do the school drop off, feed & water myself and do my dopamine inducing activities like a kitchen disco or kitchen karaoke. Highly recommend 10/10.
I am still trying to incorporate more movement into my work life.
7. Systems of steel
Systems (of course) have been the BIGGEST game changer for me. A non negotiable since day 1 of my business.
But I now take my processes, automation and boundaries SERIOUSLY.
I barely do any admin for my own business in all honesty, with almost fully automated onboarding experience thanks to Moxie.
Moxie allows me to
Send proposals/ contracts in minutes
Automate invoicing (even for ad hoc clients)
Never send a VA time report again, as it pulls that into my clients portal automatically
Automate nearly every step of the client process
I am now an approved Moxie partner and spend a lot of time automating others businesses.
I have repeatable processes for delivering projects, clear timelines for when clients need to provide things to me.
It has made onboarding clients a dream. Saved me not just time, but ENERGY. Energy I can put into growing my business.
A final note
Now my business is more ADHD proofed, it has capacity to energise not deplete.
Other things that have helped massivly. Coaching - I practice Nikki Cross Thrive First Method and self coaching has been amazing in building trust that I do indeed, have my own back and the inner tools to support myself.
Co-working with friends and ‘body doubling’ via ADHD communities - the accountability has helped greatly.
Joining communities and spaces with other neurospicy folk. Having masked a lifetime, being amongst likeminded people unmasked is so affirming and accepting.
I am so passionate about creating space for you feather ruffling founders because it’s in that space we get the zest & the juice that is the wisdom you have to share.
If you are interested in working with me and the VA team or looking for tech advice or implementation - hit me up!
Charlotte x