ND Business owners Part 3

We are now 3 posts into my series asking neurodivergent business owners about how they like to run their businesses to suit their brain.

I’m so grateful that some fantastic business owners have agreed to collaborate on this and I’ve learnt so much already and I hope you have too.

This week, we will speaking to Siobhan Fox, so here we go…

1- Firstly tell me a little bit about you and your business.

I coach ADHD business owners who want to build a business they love around the life they actually want. I also run a marketing agency where we offer marketing consultancy, podcast production and content creation for unconventional small businesses. Oh and I run a podcast - the Unconventional Business Podcast - which pretty much does what it says on the tin.

2- What does your typical work day look like and how have you adapted it to suit your brain and the way you like to work? 

I am a default parent to an 8 year old so I mostly fit my work during school hours and work on the basis of a 24-hour week. Sometimes obviously brain doesn't want to brain when I want it to (because #AuDHD), so there's some flexibility to do things in the evening if need be, but I'd rather not be working when my son is home. That's our hangout time! I allow myself some transition time after school drop-off to drink coffee and remember how to be human, usually don't take more than 3 calls per day, and keep 1 or 2 days a week call/meeting-free. I always take a lunch break and try to get out for a walk and some daylight too.

3- Which time management strategies and tools do you like to use to help your brain stay focused/organized and on track? 

I time-block my diary so I can visually see what needs doing and when - with reminders! This also means I can ensure I don't overschedule myself and I can swap time blocks around if I don't fancy doing that task at that time. I also have my to-do list written out in my notebook so I can have the satisfaction of ticking things off. Writing my list out for the week is a non-negotiable Sunday night ritual. If I'm struggling to focus, sometimes I use body doubling sessions, listen to music or if the task is too boring/easy trash TV in the background!

(Image description : Siobhan Fox smiling and holding a pillow in the shape of a cat and sitting on a colourful sofa)

4-How do you think your neurodivergence actively contributes to your success as a business owner or freelancer?

I make decisions quickly, I generate new ideas fast and my pattern recognition is off the scale - so I can respond to client needs and get new things out into the world fast. I am deeply sensitive and empathetic, which is essential for my coaching practice. I'm honest about being an awkward weird oversharing human being and I think that helps my people find me and connect with me in a genuine way. Plus I think being an AuDHDer, I automatically question the status quo and seek ways to do things that actually work for my clients (rather than stuffy six-step formulas!) - this is ultimately why people come to me and where I get to use all my skills to their best effect.

Where can we find you :

You can find me at bigpicturebusinesscoach.com and revealmarketinguk.com. The podcast is at revealmarketinguk.com/podcast. I'm on insta @siobhan_reveals and Linkedin @siobhanrfox

Thanks so much to Siobhan for telling us about her business. Read part 1 here and part 2 here of the blog posts series.

This is part 3 but connect with me on socials to stay tuned for part 4 in a few weeks time.