Redefining Success After Loss: An ADHD-Informed Approach to Grief & Burnout: a Client Success Story Episode with Steph Cotrell

Welcome back to ADHD-ish! Building and rebuilding a business as an ADHD entrepreneur often requires navigating emotional labor, exhaustion, and hidden blind spots. Host Diann Wingert sits down with client Steph Cotrell to discuss setting clear boundaries, managing business operations, and reshaping a sustainable business model following unexpected loss.
Discover how an ADHD-informed business strategy helps you re-evaluate your foundation, navigate burnout, and redefine success on your terms. If you are a business owner with ADHD seeking sustainable ADHD business coaching and authentic growth without sacrificing well-being, this conversation offers clarity and an actionable path forward.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Building A Business With ADHD Traits
04:35 - Scaling Burnout Instead Of Business Growth
09:10 - Setting Boundaries And Redefining Collaboration
13:45 - Redefining Success Around Family And Values
18:20 - Grief, Loss, And Business Flexibility
23:05 - Creating A Sustainable ADHD Business
27:40 - Finding Your Niche Without Overthinking
32:15 - Taking Action Through Uncertainty And Loss

Here are 3 key takeaways from this conversation:
Scaling “as-is” can scale your problems, not just your profits: Before trying to grow, pause to check if your foundation—relationships, workload, boundaries—truly supports the life you want.
• Give yourself permission to redefine success: It’s not all-or-nothing. You can reshape business relationships and paths to fit changing needs, values, and energy levels.
• Clarity fuels action: The sooner you move from overthinking to taking action (even messy, uncertain steps), the faster you learn, adapt, and build the business—and life—that truly work for you.

Mic Drop Moment:
"You don't have to be the glue holding all of this together. If you enjoy working with them, work with them, and if you don't, don't."

Connect with Steph Cottrell:
Website: blueelephantcreative.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bluelecreative
How Steph discovered me:
ADDItude Magazine webinar: “How to Build a Business That Works for Your ADHD Brain” (bit.ly/3DLckks)

Want to hear more Client Success Stories? Click here for the custom playlist (bit.ly/3Fb5ZzM)

Is it time to redefine your success as a business owner with ADHD?
I have two openings for one-on-one coaching engagements, starting in January. The first step is scheduling a free consultation where we talk about your goals and see if we are a good fit. Click here to book yours now. (bit.ly/free-consultation-tidycal)
And, don’t forget to leave a comment on Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/0gqKLrgHodlR89aYvV7Kj3) (I personally respond to every one) or leave a review (bit.ly/rate-ADHD-ish) so more ADHD-ish business owners can find THE podcast full of real talk and real solutions for neurodiverse business brains.

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.