Dear neurodivergent entrepreneur,

Do you feel like you’re pushing a giant boulder uphill alone? That's how I felt for ages in my business.

As a newly qualified coach trying to build a practice, I bought into the neurotypical "hustle culture" myth, which says you must do everything yourself and be constantly "on,". It broke me.

Many of us struggle with the pressure to "do it all," which leads to exhaustion and hinders our business growth. Maybe neurotypical folk are better at handling this kind of pressure, but we neurodiverse certainly are not.

So what do we do? Well, besides disregarding mainstream business advice—our brains aren't typical, so our businesses shouldn't be—I've found that one key to a thriving life and business is to seek support. 

This post explores the crucial role of support systems for neurodivergent businesswomen.

From Burnout to Breakthrough: My Story of Seeking Support

Let me take you back to pre-pandemic. I was doing everything I thought I 'should' do, following the standard, neurotypical business advice churned out by countless coaches. “Build your email list!”. “Show up every day on social media!” “Create a free lead magnet!” I was perpetually exhausted but convinced this was the only way.  

Then the pandemic hit. My already sensitive nervous system went into overdrive. The constant news cycle, isolation, and uncertainty were all too much.

Burnout doesn’t quite capture the sheer exhaustion I experienced. I lost my vision, spent weeks in bed, unable to work, cook, or even clean. The vibrant, energetic woman I once was had vanished, replaced by a shell. It was terrifying.

Lying there, staring at the ceiling, I finally admitted something I’d resisted for years: I needed help.

Asking for support felt like admitting failure and felt scary. It went against every fibre of my independent, self-sufficient being, but I had no choice. I was at rock bottom and unable to care for myself.

Hesitantly, I started reaching out. To my pleasant surprise, people really wanted to help. Family cooked meals, my daughter filled out forms I couldn’t even look at, and friends did my grocery shopping.

Slowly, I started to recover. The world came back into focus, both literally and figuratively.

When I started to feel better, I took a long, hard look at what I was doing in my business and understood that my hyper-independent approach had contributed to my burnout. Something had to change.

I finally started outsourcing tasks that were draining my energy and creativity.

The whole experience was a profound wake-up call. I realised that my previous “go-it-alone” strategy wasn’t a strength but a weakness. It had brought me and my business to the brink of collapse.

I will never put myself through that horrendous experience again, and I don't need to.

The most significant shift has been my attitude towards seeking support.

It's no longer a last resort, a sign of weakness.

It's now a strategic imperative, a vital ingredient for a fulfilling life and a thriving business.

Why Support is Essential for Neurodivergent Women

We often face unique challenges:

Sensory Overload:

The constant demands of entrepreneurship lead to sensory overload and overwhelm. (You might find my blog post about why we need to overcome shiny object syndrome useful here).

Executive Function Challenges:

Tasks like organisation, time management, and prioritisation can be particularly difficult.

Social and Communication Differences:

Networking and self-promotion, crucial aspects of business, can be draining and anxiety-provoking.

Masking:

The pressure to conform to neurotypical expectations can lead to exhaustion and burnout.

Seeking support directly addresses these challenges by:

Reducing overwhelm:

Delegating tasks and accessing resources frees up mental and emotional bandwidth.

Improving efficiency:

Specialized support can address specific executive function challenges.

Building confidence:

A supportive network provides encouragement and validation.

Creating a sustainable work-life balance:

Prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries becomes easier with support.

Actionable Strategies to Build Your Support System

Outsource Business Tasks:

Don't let your inability to do something hold you back. Hire a virtual assistant, bookkeeper, copywriter, blog writer or designer etc - for any tasks you can't do or don't want to do yourself. 

I regularly employ the services of a graphic designer, web designer, and accountant. These are people who I highly respect and also understand me. I found all of these people locally, but I have also, in the past, found great freelancers charging reasonable rates on Fiverr.

BONUS: If you're a UK resident and self-employed, you will likely be eligible for the Access To Work Grant. This grant can pay for this support if you have a disability or health condition, including neurodivergence—and you don't have to be officially diagnosed.

Also, consider swaps. For example, I edit my friend's social media copy in exchange for freshly cooked homemade meals. I hate cooking but love copywriting, and my friend is a chef who hates writing, so it works brilliantly.

Join a Mastermind or Support Group:

I love masterminds, groups of carefully selected entrepreneurs who discuss their business challenges. Imagine sharing your challenge and then receiving expert advice from each group member based on their own experience. It's invaluable. There's something potent about the group's energy, which helps move people forward in leaps and bounds.

If you'd like to join a mastermind for neurodiverse women entrepreneurs, please get in touch. I aim to put one together in 2025.

I also pay for a larger membership with women entrepreneurs. While this group isn't for neurodiverse women, it focuses heavily on nervous system regulation, aligning with my needs. My weekly calls with these other entrepreneurs keep me focused and motivated, and the community aspect means there's always a place I can go to ask for help. Have a look around and see what's out there; see what might align with your needs, sensitivities and budget.

Seek Professional Guidance:

Work with a therapist or coach. When I first discovered I was neurodivergent, I worked with an Autism Therapist to help me make sense of what I was feeling. Nowadays, I employ a monthly therapist who doesn't label herself as neurodiverse but who 100% gets me and aligns with the kind of talking therapy I find most valuable. As someone who struggles to identify my emotions, I find this support essential to help me process and move forward.

Build Personal Support Networks:

Lean on friends and family for practical and emotional support. This can feel so difficult when we start, especially if we're hyper-independent, but taking small steps with safe people can transform our lives. Our friends and family love us, want the best for us, and are eager to help if we allow them. We can repay them if and when we have the capacity.

Embrace Assistive Technology:

Explore tools that can aid with organization, focus, and communication. For example, I use Grammarly to help me spot any mistakes in my copy. I use Acquity Scheduling integrated with Stripe for bookings. I use Canva for all of my design work.

I use a ton of other apps and other tech, too, but I don't want to overwhelm you with information. I always pay for the premium version of stuff because it saves so much time and headaches. 

Embracing Support for a Thriving Business and Life

Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a strategic move for success. When we embrace support, we unlock our full potential and create businesses that align with our values and strengths.

It's time to stop struggling alone.