What if the overwhelm you’re feeling in your business isn’t just burnout, but undiagnosed ADHD?

In this episode, I sit down with business coach, mom of three, and author Mariah Scrivens to talk about her late-in-life ADHD diagnosis and how it reshaped the way she sees herself, her motherhood journey, and her business.

We dive into the very real signs of ADHD in high-achieving women—like hyperfixation, executive dysfunction, and rejection sensitivity—and how these show up inside entrepreneurship. Mariah shares her story of building and burning down businesses, balancing twins and coaching, and learning how to embrace her neurodivergent brain rather than fight against it.

If you’ve ever struggled with forgotten emails, following through, or felt like your brain just works differently, this conversation will be both validating and encouraging.

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ADHD in Women Entrepreneurs: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

If you’ve ever felt like no matter how hard you work, you can’t seem to keep up with your business tasks—or that your brain just works differently from your peers—you’re not alone.

Many women entrepreneurs live with undiagnosed ADHD for years before finally getting clarity on why things feel harder than they “should.”

ADHD in women entrepreneurs often goes unrecognized. Unlike the stereotypical image of the hyperactive little boy bouncing off classroom walls, ADHD in women frequently shows up as internal restlessness, overwhelm, difficulty with follow-through, and rejection sensitivity.

These subtle signs are easier to mask, especially for high-achieving women who’ve built successful businesses despite the challenges.

In this article, I’ll share insights from my conversation with Mariah Scrivens, who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. We’ll explore what ADHD looks like in women entrepreneurs, how it impacts business growth, and practical strategies to build thriving businesses while embracing a neurodivergent brain.

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Why ADHD in Women Entrepreneurs Often Goes Undiagnosed

For decades, ADHD research and diagnosis focused primarily on boys. Girls were overlooked because their symptoms tended to be quieter, more internalized, and often mislabeled as anxiety or perfectionism.

By adulthood, many women entrepreneurs have learned to mask their struggles with systems, hard work, or overachievement. On the surface, they look organized and successful. Behind the scenes, however, they may be battling:

• Constant forgetfulness (emails, appointments, or small tasks slipping through the cracks)

• Hyperfixation on exciting projects while ignoring mundane but important tasks

• Difficulty with transitions or executive functioning (moving from one task to another)

• Emotional dysregulation, especially rejection sensitivity

• A cycle of burnout from pushing through without support

As Mariah shared:

“At first, I told myself, okay, late-onset ADHD. But the more I learned, the more I realized I’d had it all along—it just looked different because I was a girl.”

Recognizing these differences is the first step toward understanding and supporting ADHD in women entrepreneurs.

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Common ADHD Traits in Women Entrepreneurs

Every person with ADHD is unique, but certain themes often show up for women running businesses.

1. Hyperfixation

Women entrepreneurs with ADHD often find themselves working for hours (or days) straight when a project excites them.

This intense focus can be an incredible strength, but it can also lead to exhaustion and neglected responsibilities.

Mariah described staying up for days redoing her website before she had kids, unable to stop until it was finished.

2. Executive Dysfunction

Tasks that seem simple—like replying to a two-sentence email—can feel impossible.

Even knowing it will only take 30 seconds, ADHD brains can freeze at the thought of boring or repetitive tasks.

“My poor bookkeeper waits days for me to respond to the simplest questions. It’s embarrassing, but I just can’t make myself do it.”

3. Rejection Sensitivity

Many women with ADHD experience rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD), where even small “no’s” feel devastating.

This makes sales and client relationships particularly challenging because every unanswered email or declined offer can feel personal.

“Rejection sensitivity means every ‘no’ feels like the end of the world, which makes following up feel impossible.”

4. The “Hobby Graveyard”

Starting projects, hobbies, or offers with great excitement, then abandoning them when the novelty wears off, is another hallmark of ADHD in women entrepreneurs.

5. Constant Internal Chatter

ADHD often looks like multiple “tabs” open in the brain at all times. Mariah described reading her son a bedtime story while simultaneously running a full business strategy in her head.

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How ADHD Impacts Business Growth

ADHD in women entrepreneurs can be both a challenge and a strength.

On one hand, creativity, big-picture thinking, and resilience often thrive in neurodivergent minds.

On the other hand, traditional business systems often clash with how ADHD brains work.

Here are some common friction points:

• Inconsistent marketing: Struggling to stay consistent with content because novelty wears off.

• Offer hopping: Creating new programs frequently instead of refining evergreen ones.

• Overwhelm with details: Avoiding bookkeeping, admin, or repetitive tasks.

• Difficulty following up: Fear of rejection + forgetfulness leads to lost sales.

• Burnout: Pushing through by masking symptoms, only to crash later.

At the same time, ADHD brains bring incredible assets to business: creativity, risk-taking, out-of-the-box problem-solving, and the ability to pivot quickly when needed.

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Practical Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs with ADHD

1. Leverage Your Strengths

Instead of trying to run your business like everyone else, lean into what you’re naturally good at. If you love creating new ideas, build a model that allows for launches or creative projects.

2. Use Deadlines Wisely

Deadlines help ADHD brains overcome procrastination. Be clear with yourself and your clients about when decisions or deliverables are due. As Mariah explained:

“Giving people parameters and clear deadlines is actually very caring—it removes ambiguity without being manipulative.”

3. Simplify Systems

Complex tools often backfire. Choose simple, low-friction systems that minimize decision fatigue—like one project management tool, one calendar, and one client communication method.

4. Embrace Follow-Ups

Following up isn’t pushy—it’s caring. Many clients (especially those who are also neurodivergent) need reminders. Frame follow-ups as part of your client support, not as pressure.

5. Outsource Weak Spots

If bookkeeping or admin tasks consistently drain you, hire support sooner rather than later. Protect your energy for the parts of your business where your ADHD becomes a superpower.

6. Prioritize Rest and Recovery

Entrepreneurship and ADHD can both be exhausting. Schedule recovery time intentionally, especially after launches or high-focus periods.

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ADHD and Sales: What Coaches Need to Know

One of the most insightful parts of my conversation with Mariah was how ADHD impacts the sales process.

If you’re a coach or service provider selling to women entrepreneurs with ADHD, here are a few things to consider:

• Ghosting isn’t always disinterest. Forgetfulness, overwhelm, or shame about finances may be the real reason for silence.

• Follow-ups are supportive. Many ADHD clients appreciate reminders and it keeps you top of mind.

• Be explicit about expectations. Let clients know upfront how and when you’ll follow up.

• Don’t push financial objections. Respect boundaries; pressure tactics can trigger rejection sensitivity and erode trust.

“Sales are education. All you’re doing is providing people the opportunity to make a decision.” – Mariah Scrivens

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Building a Business That Supports Your Brain

ADHD in women entrepreneurs doesn’t have to mean constant struggle.

With awareness, support, and self-compassion, you can design a business that works with your brain, not against it.

Some final takeaways from Mariah’s journey:

• Diagnosis isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of self-understanding.

• ADHD is not a flaw; it’s a different wiring that requires different systems.

• Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and neurodivergence is messy—but possible.

• You’re not alone. Many high-achieving women share this experience, even if they don’t talk about it openly.

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Conclusion

ADHD in women entrepreneurs is more common than many realize, and it doesn’t have to be a business death sentence.

By recognizing the unique challenges ADHD brings, embracing your strengths, and creating supportive systems, you can thrive as both a business owner and a human.

As Mariah’s story shows, entrepreneurship isn’t about fitting into a mold. It’s about building a business that supports the life and brain you actually have.

If you’ve been wondering whether ADHD might be playing a role in your business struggles, consider seeking professional evaluation.

Whether you get a diagnosis or not, building self-awareness around how your brain works can change everything about how you lead, create, and succeed.

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Ready to build a business that supports you?

If you want to build a business that works for your life (not the other way around), check out my signature coaching program, The Nourished Business Accelerator™.

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