The ADHD Entrepreneur: Top 5 Steps for Financial Success
Starting your own business as an entrepreneur with ADHD can feel like a leap of faith, with money management often being one of the trickiest parts of the journey. But there’s good news: with the right strategies, managing your finances as an ADHD entrepreneur doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Today, let’s dive into five essential steps to set yourself up for financial success in business. These are practical, ADHD-friendly steps, so for each one, I’m including a time estimate to help you plan and see that you don’t need hours and hours to take action! And so it doesn’t get missed at the end, grab these free resources that can help make most of these steps a lot easier for you!
1. Separate Business and Personal Finances (15+ Minutes)
One of the biggest pitfalls and shortest paths to added stress for ADHD entrepreneurs is mingling personal and business finances. Trust me, if you only take one step from this list, this is the one that can make the most immediate difference. By keeping your finances separate, you’ll have a much clearer picture of how your business is doing, and it makes tax time infinitely easier.
How to Do It:
If you don't already have one, open a separate bank account for your business transactions. Many banks offer accounts specifically for small business owners. Depending on where you live and your business structure, a separate personal account may work to get you started.
If you use credit, get a dedicated business credit card. Again, a separate personal card may work for you here.
Commit to keeping expenses separated—no more “I’ll pay myself back later” moments! Even if you need to have two separate transactions to make it happen sometimes, future you will thank you for making this a priority.
Why This Matters:
Mixing personal and business finances can lead to stress and confusion, especially for someone with ADHD. Separating these areas gives you clearer boundaries, making your finances easier to manage and track.
2. set some Business Financial Goals (10 Minutes)
Setting financial goals might feel like one more thing on the endless “to-do” list, but hear me out: taking ten minutes to define what you want financially from your business is the foundation for long-term success. Knowing your goals helps you stay focused and makes making decisions that support your success easier.
How to Do It:
Write down your top 2-3 financial goals for the business. Examples could include “Make $10,000 a month in revenue,” “Save enough for taxes quarterly,” or “Set aside 10% for personal retirement.”
Be specific about what you want to achieve. Goals like “increase profits” are too vague; you want something measurable.
Make your goals visual so they stay top of mind. Post a sticky note on your computer or write them on a whiteboard you see daily.
Why This Matters:
As someone with ADHD, goal-setting helps keep you grounded. It also ensures you’re not just winging it month after month. And if you’re prone to shiny object syndrome (I know I am), these goals are a compass to help you stay on track.
3. Create a Simple plan for your expenses (30-60 Minutes)
Having a rough idea of what it takes to keep your business moving forward is important. Every entrepreneur should have a plan to see your estimated monthly expenses. Taking the time to create one can also help you identify if there is anything you are paying for an no longer use.
How to Do It:
Decide on a tool that works for you. Maybe you’re a paper and pen person, a whiteboard lover, or love a simple spreadsheet (my personal favourite!).
Outline your main expense categories: marketing, supplies, professional fees, personal draws, etc.
Add up your recurring monthly expenses and any one-time upcoming expenses you expect.
Why This Matters:
Having a plan in place gives you clarity on what’s coming in and going out, which can help reduce the financial anxiety that can easily derail someone with ADHD. This step also ensures that you’re aware of your spending habits—so you know where you can cut back if needed and where you might be able to invest more.
4. Implement a Regular Money Check-In Routine (5 Minutes Weekly)
This might be one of the best habits you can develop as an ADHD entrepreneur. A weekly money check-in is your chance to review, adjust, and plan for what’s ahead. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and with time, it can become one of the most rewarding habits in your business.
How to Do It:
Schedule a weekly “Money Date” on a day and time when you’re most likely to be focused.
Check your bank accounts, invoices, and any upcoming expenses.
Take a few minutes to assess whether you’re still on track with your financial goals and budget. If anything needs adjusting, this is the time to do it.
Why This Matters:
Financial management for an ADHD entrepreneur needs to be frequent and simple. By checking in weekly, you prevent financial issues from piling up, and you’re more aware of the health of your business. Plus, you’ll feel more in control and less overwhelmed about finances.
5. Plan for Taxes Year-Round (15-30 Minutes)
No one enjoys tax season, but there’s a way to make it less painful (and dare I say, even something you look forward to!), and it starts with planning throughout the year. By setting aside funds for taxes regularly, you’ll save yourself from a massive headache when it’s time to pay the government.
How to Do It:
Estimate what percentage of your income should go to taxes. For Canadian ADHD entrepreneurs, a good rule of thumb if you don’t know where to start, is to save 20-30% of your business income. Put this amount in a separate savings account.
Decide on when you will do this. Whether weekly, monthly or each time you get paid, moving the tax portion into this account regularly will help you so much at tax time!
Consider checking in with a tax professional once or twice a year to ensure you’re on track.
Why This Matters:
This step will be a lifesaver come tax season. There’s nothing worse than realizing you’re short on funds to pay taxes, which can spiral into anxiety, stress, and even business risks. With this system, you’ll be ready when the time comes, and it reduces the mental load during tax season.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
Each step is designed to give you the stability and structure needed to manage your business finances without feeling overwhelmed. You don’t have to tackle everything at once—pick one step and make it part of your routine, then move on to the next. ADHD entrepreneurs can thrive financially; it just takes a bit of planning and consistency to get there. And if you haven’t already, I encourage you to grab my free template and training videos to help you put this all into practise!
Remember: Financial success isn’t about perfection. It’s about setting yourself up with ADHD-friendly systems that allow you to stay focused, minimize overwhelm, and, most importantly, keep your business on a growth path.
