Hi hedonistcat:

Your therapist is wrong - and right. Some ADDers thrive when they are driving the ship; the founders of Jet Blue and Kinko's both have ADHD and there are plenty of other role models out there. But I've read many comments from other ADHD entrepreneurs on this site who struggle with the essential but eternally challenging tasks of staying focused and organized when no one else is watching.

I'm hoping a few other self-employed ADDers will reply to you, but I do think you have to be realistic with yourself before launching your own business. If motivation and organization are your weak points, that could be a big problem. But if you think the creative freedom and happiness will be motivation enough to keep you focused, then more power to you!

Best of luck, Anni

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Anyone working for themselves can be presented with challenges, no medical benefits for example. Some creative ADHD'ers do well in the arts and hire someone to manage the books and appointments for them. It might be best to see a career counsellor and if there is a certain type of business you want to open, try to speak to other people in similar careers and find out what is involved.

I know of one woman who works for a company and what she does involves using her creative ideas, for the days she needs to do paperwork, she takes meds. Some professions like insurance brokers or financial advisors work for a company, but work from home or out on the road. If you are passionate about something, (for example computer programs) you can train others on it...but still work for a company.

Some companies require employees to visit customers or deliver pharmaceuticals, etc. So office work is not your thing, there is so much more out there then working just from an office. Start networking and talking to people to learn what is available you would be surprised when you start looking outside the box.

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Four years ago, I decided to quit my job and start a private tutoring business. I was able to do this and at the same time began doing graphic design and selling my images on t-shirts, mugs, postcards and such. I now bring in half our income doing these two jobs and love every minute of it. I honestly believe my ADD has helped me with my businesses instead of hindering. Of course, ADD or not, one has to have a skill set that supports running a business and this has little to do with an ADD diagnosis. I grew up in a family business so a lot of the skills were just in me from watching my parents and grandparents all through my growing up years. If you want to run your own business and have the skills to do so, then go for it! One big misconception about being self-employed is that you get to make your own schedule and can take time off whenever you want. In reality, the opposite is true...you are ALWAYS working. The thing I've found is that doing something I love...making my hobby into a job...makes it feel like I'm never working. It's a good life, but not for everyone...ADD or not.

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ADDers are the IDEAL entrepreneurs because all the things that are a problem in employment are a total assett in your own business. You NEED risk taking, mad ideas, sustained focus on interesting stuff, big picture thinking and the ability to move on to the next big thing be a successful entrepreneur. Not so great if you are a wage slave. :-) But it is guaranteed to be a complete disaster if you try to do everything yourself. I speak from personal experience! You need a 'wing man' - someone who can "do the doing", someone who tracks the details, files your tax and keeps you from going off on unproductive wild tangents.

BTW, get yourself a more supportive therapist. Any client deserves a therapist who encourages and supports them - even if he/she does not personally agree.

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Gully thank you all for giving me some hope. I agree that we are the hyper focusing type w/ ADHD who can work around the clock madly on ideas and things we're into. I decided instead to open an ebay business. No start up costs. selling clothing that I find cutting edge. :) BTW with this crappy economy lots of ADHD ers and non ADHD ers are going into self employment. As for hiring a middle person... I'm unsure how to get started. I'm very very introverted with no friends or connections. I really don't know anyone at all. (sadly but true).

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I want to say I don't have a support coming from family or friends. I do have a supportive Husband though. I just retired from 31 years with the Federal Govt in Canada and I will say it was a long of hard times doing work and not fitting in because I had ADHD and did not know it till 10 years ago. I basically found the work the repetative type of work everyday. I hated it because I knew I had more to offer but I had to do my own work as an Entrepeneur but I had to wait till I retired. So what I am saying is unravel your creative talent and list all the positive things you do and are gifted at in one column and in another column list the negatives things that you don't like. The things that you are afraid of list and put down why you are afraid of following thru. I followinged my gut or intuitive feelings that where saying YES and I was getting a positive message. Follow the Law of Attraction process and your dreams will unravel a beautiful job. Be patience with your self and let the Universe bring you the people who understand ADHD and know how to support and assist you. I also found a Coach who specializes in ADHD Adults who was to be Entrepeneurs. Her husband has ADHD and he was successful thru his wife.

Here are two other tools for assisting you find your dream entrepeneur job at home. Its a tool to help you calm down your ADHD and Anxiety or whatever your issue so you can stay on track and pursue your life work. Its called EVA Biofeedback Brain Wave Unit that assists you with Mental challenges that includes ADHD. Here is the web site www.mindalive.ca. This machine is EVA=Audio Visual Entrainment. Its unravels the mixed up wiring in the brain.

This other web site is www.davincimethod.com. Helps your understand how your process of thinking thru your incomplete thoughts whether your an Entrepeaneur or not.

Hope this helps you find your path in life, and may the Universe bring you the skills and people who will help you be prosperous and successful. Rhonda

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for an entrepreneur is marketing. All the other stuff is fairly straightforward. If you can't get any business, then you won't succeed even if you're the best at what you do. This usually means you can't be shy. You need to get out and about and meet lots of people. The fact that you are shy means to me that you must find a way to overcome your shyness. You should consider joining Toastmasters or an acting group. Get involved in a service organization like Kiwanis, for example, or a non-profit organization. You should join the Chamber of Commerce and volunteer your time so that you will meet the maximum number of people.

Best wishes,

Paul Alpert (www.deltaplanner.com)

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I want to respond to all the great words of encouragement and heartfelt help your words provided. I was inbusiness for twenty years, and made a lot of money and a lot of mistakes. But with my ADD, I was the creative risk taker and my wife was the detail person. It worked out pretty well, but was very problematic for the marriage. When we closed our business for family and economic reasons, I jumped from job to job. What I learned from all the time spent, was an old business principal, most important for ADD ers, HIRE YOUR WEEKNESS, or find a business partner that has the skill sets most of us lack. When I tried to run a business by myself, my bad habits and lack of organization, were too big of a problem to overcome. The next time I try something different, and I am sure there will be at least one more shot, I will alleign myself with the right people to handel the details and the money. This time around I will have to do it without my soon to be ex-wife. In this economy you do not get a lot of second chances, in business or in a marriage. Keep fighting the good fight, and know you are not alone.

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hedonistcat said: A bit about me: 30 something b.a. in studio art, m.a. in education, taught high school for 2 years-left, studied to become a dental hygienist and basically flunked out after loads of tears, endless trying, nervous breakdowns. I've had jobs in the past and have bad employment history. I have a very hard time multi-tasking and become "dumbfound" when anxious or my boss is watching me. I also have bad short term memory- it takes time for me to process info. The career world expects speed and the ability to "get it" in under 5 minutes. My poor career past is going to prevent me from being employed.

I love the idea of starting a home based business in something food and writing related. No office politics, wasted gas money, buying stuffy business suits, a bad employment history to deal with. and... I can work on my own where I thrive the most. I love the thought of entrepreneruism but have no clue how to get started. My psychiatrist said that starting a business and being an entrepreneur is always a disaster for those with ADHD. She said that the ideal ADHD job is where one is monitored closely. I refuse to believe her judgment. I want to see this for myself- are there any of you who are self-employed entrepreneurs with ADHD/ADD who are also successful? I need your advice. I'm 30 and a bit tired of being known as "jack of all trades" who doesn't know what she wants to do YET.

I definitely also disagree with your therapist. There is no gene or scientific explanation for the human spirit. If you wish to start your own business, then you should be able to if you have the drive and determination; ADHD or not!

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Ok, long story short. If you are being treated with the right meds then you will be fine. whats the point of meds then if you are going to stay the same. I have to admit i tried to do my business for months and months sitting at my desk and saying I was to do this or that. I could not go far, I never did what i was supposed to do for months trying every dam day. Then I got myself on Adderall XR, and I did in one afternoon much more than I tried to do for months.

so here it is.............the only way out

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I agree with both Bruce and the previous commenter. I had a business with my husband, and we are not divorcing, but it's been thrown-around as an idea! My business is gone now and he runs one. I help, but mostly take care of our daughter and the house. Having said that, mostly why my business failed was I didn't get diagnosed until fairly recently, and until I was put on Adderall, also (But not the XR version, in my case) I did exactly the same thing - things I can now just sit down and take care of in an afternoon, I would have been messing around with for months. That also was true for things like billing and other accounting activities which I hate. :-) One thing many entrepreneurs (I'm talking 'own a job' folks, not someone fronting money for an operation that is hiring employees) don't think about is the attention to detail you must have. Especially if it's just you! Getting paid, marketing, contracts, licensing & complying with local laws that apply to your profession, insurance requirements - it can get very overwhelming if you let it! My best advice looking back would be to: 1) Document everything. Even if you need to have a helper do this. For example, if you run an LLC, you should still have signed Consent of Action forms for all members, even if there is just you! Legally, that will keep you from damaging your own personal assets. 2) Plan at the outset for certain things, like needing to hire an assistant. My mom happens to live with us now and helps-out, but previously it was a nightmare between the two of us! He's all about a certain part of the business, and I am good at another. What neither of us are that great at would always create problems. Find someone to take care of routine things that you find yourself letting go, as quickly as possible. 3) Don't take on the world all-at-once. Get your feet wet first, then work on being busier than you've ever been and making loads of $$. :-) One thing I can tell you for sure after years of painful experience - no amount of fancy software or other programs are going to help you if you don't input the information! Get a routine down for how you handle things before you get so busy you "don't have time". Especially if you plan on hiring help - they can't do what you don't teach them to do! A great read if you are serious is "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber. Lots of great insight.

Good luck!!

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I know this posting is way late but I was reading some of them and one said....ADHD or not...but thats the issue...There is a huge difference between having it and not. Those who dont have to function with it dont understand so its not a huge ordeal but for those of us how do its an EXTREMELY big deal. I know plenty of people who both work for themselves and for others. It depends on what stimulates the mind of that person. Im tired of the bad work history so Im starting my own digital magazine and blog spolt about the Arts. Its in its baby stages but I dont plan on and will not fail. So please try it at least so you know where you stand on that!.

Hope the best for you and me and all that have ADHD!

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