Navigating The Beauty Industry As An Entrepreneur With ADHD with Dawn Bradley

What's the tea, friend? My name's Hunter Donia, industry business educator for hairstylists, but my friends just call me Hunty. Whether it be growing your clientele, making more money, or automating and streamlining your systems, in the next 20 minutes or so, you'll be hearing realistic, actionable strategies to create a beautiful career for yourself behind the chair. So if you're ready to get into it, welcome to the Modern Hairstylist podcast.

Hello, my friend. Welcome back to the Modern Hairstylist podcast. I hope that you're doing so well today. And me personally, just in case you were wondering, I am doing so well, and I'm so excited because I have my friend Dawn Bradley up in the gig with us today.

What's the tea, Dawn? How are you doing? Oh, hey. I'm good.

It feels good to say that and mean it honestly. Oh, I love that. And, you know, it's... I feel like that is, like, a whole podcast episode on its own.

Of just, like, when people ask you how you are, and you have to be, like, forced through, like, "I'm doing good. Like, how are you?" Right, and I, like... I have...

I've always, like, had this uncanny thing where I answer honestly, and people are like, "How are you?" And I'm like, "I'm struggling," and they're like, "Wait, what? That's not the answer you're supposed to give." Hmm.

Right. And it's kind of like that... Like, that kind of takes them aback. But, no, I'm, I'm doing really good today.

I'm so excited to be here with you. So happy to hear that. Thank you so much for being here, and for the listeners who, by whatever chance, they may not know who you are, would you mind introducing yourself for us? Yeah, so I like to describe myself as an anxious, awkward ADHD gal from a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada.

I grew up, uh, very, very shy, and I became a hairstylist at 18 years old just 'cause I thought it would be something easy to do. Hmm. I was definitely brainwashed into thinking this wasn't an industry that I could be financially successful at, um, and I kind of w- led into my, I would say, my job as a hairdresser initially that way. Yep.

Here I am, 22 years later, and I've made it my career and I've made multi-six figures doing it, and I never, ever... If, if I could go back to 18-year-old Dawn and tell her what was in store, she would not have believed it. I've traveled the world, I've lived on three different continents, I've worked for some of the top stylists in the world, all before social media, so I have, like, no proof it happened. Um, and then in 2016, 2015, took the leap into educating, and have dealt with imposter syndrome, overwhelm, um, anxiety, ending up in the hospital thinking I was dying in those years.

So I definitely don't want people to think that, like, "Wow, look at this, like, highlight reel." It's been highs and lows, but the consistent for me is been continuing to always push forward, even if it's not the most... I don't wanna say stereotypical way, but I have not followed, like, a path that was laid out for me. Hmm.

And the one thing I always share with people is, like, just because no one else has done it, doesn't mean you can't, and that's one of the things I've really... I don't know what possessed me to do it, but looking back, I'm like, "Who did I think I was?" But I think... Like, I've just charted my own path, and it's been really beautiful.

I love that, and the way that you've done that is so inspiring to so many beauty professionals, and any fellow, uh, industry educator who is making a difference within this industry is a friend of mine and somebody who's inspiring to me. So, I love all the things that you do and th- and what you stand for and how authentic and genuine you are with what you have experienced. I think- Thank you. um, especially in the day and age of social media, p- and I've been talking about this so much recently, but, like, in the day and age of social media now, people look at everybody's highlight reels of success, and it's difficult for people to not compare themselves to that, and they never really truly see, like, what's going on in the background.

And so, I just think it's so refreshing to have people who are authentic and real and genuine about, like, what is all going on behind the scenes and, like, what history has, has, has been to lead you to this place as well, you know? Well, and it's so easy, like, whenever I get asked for, like, my bio, I'm like, "Can I put all the fuck-ups that I've done in it?" Because, like, it's so easy to, like, pad our resume or pad our bio with, like, all our acclimations and all the amazing things we've accomplished that make us feel really good. But the last thing I want, because I've dealt with comparisonitis so much, and I've dealt with the anxiety of being like, "Well, obviously they're more cut out for this, and they're more deserving because, like, XYZ," and the reality is I would hate for anyone to look at my career trajectory or what I've accomplished and think like, "Well, she just got lucky."

Like, like I said, I used to hide behind my mom's leg as a kid. I m- used to make my mom phone my friends' houses. I was paralyzed by anxiety my entire life. I didn't think I was gonna amount to much, and I let my career for the first few years and my personal relationships reflect that because I didn't think I was worthy of more.

Right. Yeah, and I don't know if, you know, you'll agree with this too or if, like, uh, you can attest to this experience, but I also think that people... I think that th- there's, like, some sort of vision that's painted for some people sometimes that, like, one day everything's gonna be absolutely perfect- Yeah. and everything's gonna absolutely feel amazing and good, when in reality, like, your entire journey as an entrepreneur and as a human being will always be a roller coaster.

However, there will always be improvements you can make. There's strategy that you can follow, right? But it nev-... There's never gonna be a perfect moment where you absolutely feel amazing and everything's gonna be amazing for the rest of your life.

Totally. Like, I'm still waiting for the moment for, like, when I grow up, then I will. Yes. And then I'm like, "I just turned 40 this year."

Yes. And I'm like, "Oh, I'm, I'm grown up now." Like, there's no, like, anointing- Right. moment where it's like, now you're granted permission.

And I've had to really lean into that, like, oh, like the only person I need permission from is myself. Yeah. Then why am I holding myself back? And also, so many times I think, "Well, when I get there, then I will.

When I get there, then I can." And I stand at the bottom of a staircase looking at the top going, "When I get to the top, magically, then I will," instead of taking the first insignificant step, because taking the first step on a staircase seems really minimal, insignificant, and doesn't really get you anywhere. Right. But it's taking, like, those small, insignificant steps every single day or week or month that eventually get you to the top of the staircase.

But I think... So, I'm ADHD. Think I rather... I thrive on things being challenging.

Yes. So if it's too easy, it's actually harder. Literally, yes, and so that beautifully transitions us into what I think would be a beautiful topic for us to chat with, uh, wi- with each other about today, which is ADHD-... and our experiences and our journeys.

And before we started to press the record button, I was ta- talking to you about how I have had the privilege of being diagnosed from a pretty young age, um, which- Mm-hmm. a lot of people are disproportionately, specifically women are disproportionately diagnosed with ADHD unfortunately, and find out much later in life, or are diagnosed much later in life, or never diagnosed at all. And- Yeah. because of having the privilege of being able to have been diagnosed so young, I've had this awareness of how it shows up in my life.

And although it's completely 100% been challenging and, um, and it's difficult, and it's something I struggle with every single day, I believe that the awareness was definitely a privilege that I've had up until this point, and I've been able to navigate it in a much different way. And I know that your journey, and I'm not gonna tell peoples, tell your journey to people on your behalf, I'll let you share yours. Um, but I know that your journey has been different. Am I correct?

Yeah, absolutely. Like, I, it, if it wasn't for social media, I don't think I would've ever been diagnosed with ADHD. Mm-hmm. I started seeing other women that I followed talk about being diagnosed and the signs of it, and then I had someone that was working with me and she said, like, m- I, I think maybe, so kind, so gentle.

Right. Like, it might be. And I was like, I don't know what you're talking about. That seems really strange.

And when I looked into it more, um, I was diagnosed, I believe it was April of 2021. Mm. So it's been just, like, two and a half years. I was 38 years old when I got diagnosed with ADHD, and I initially was relieved and sad at the same time.

Yeah. And I remember crying, thinking, oh, here's just another label that gets popped on. Mm-hmm. But what's transpired over the last two and a half years has been this wild roller coaster of a ride of understanding myself better.

Definitely at first using it as an excuse and a crutch to make excuses for why I wasn't doing things. Mm. Like, I, I almost backtracked and then now going like, and I was even talking to one of my students this morning, it can feel like my biggest superpower, but I really struggle with owning the fact that it can be a disability. Mm.

Like that, that word disability, like, makes, blah, I don't like it. Right. But realizing that I, it's okay to not, to, to struggle with things that other people don't struggle with. Right.

That, like, and I think the narrative for me growing up not being aware of it is the shame and guilt of, like, this is easy, just do it really quick. And I'm like, why is it not easy for me? Right. And thinking there was something wrong with me.

Or like in school, um, you know, having 90s up until midterm and then 70s, like graduating with a 70 and being like, well, why, like, why is this happening? I know I'm smart. I can't seem to apply myself clearly, I suck. And then letting it internalize into this low self-worth and self-esteem thinking I'm, there's something wrong with me and not knowing that my brain just works differently.

Totally. 100%. Amen to everything. And it's so crazy how it creeps in and really can, because of how other people around you are perceiving you or the standard that society has set for you, especially growing up and like, as we all know, like, the experiences that we have growing up stick with us forever.

The shame that we experience, um, those type of experiences, that sticks with us forever and can 100% lead the way that we feel about ourselves and lead the way that our beh- our repetitive habits and behaviors show up day to day. Especially growing up, like, having ADHD, the way that that shows up in, like, being so shameful about not doing the same thing th- as easily as your, your peers or your siblings and your parents being like, if you just applied yourself, then you would be amaz- How, how many times have we heard that, right? Like, you're so smart, if you just applied... Yes.

100%. And then that crazy dichotomy, right, of like, you can do, you can execute things that you're passionate about so beautifully, but then if there's something that's not giving your brain that, like, consistent dopamine or that reward, then it's just so hard. It feels like, it feels like an impossible mountain to climb to complete a task that is not interesting to your brain in the moment, right? Absolutely.

I've even found, like, I was ta- like, talking this morning, like I said, with a student of mine that has ADHD as well, and it's like we, we will get stuck in the planning and the strategizing 'cause it's fun- Mm-hmm. but not taking action. And what I've learned is one of the biggest hacks I have to do is to stop planning and just do. Like, skip the planning step.

Mm-hmm. Because the planning is the biggest, what's the word I'm looking for? This is an ADHD moment right now. It's like the biggest hurdle that will make me think I'm being productive by planning, by writing down a to-do list rather than...

And then it gives me that hit of feeling like it's done 'cause it's done in my brain- Mm-hmm. but I just need to, like, stop, ti- like I need to cut out steps actually and start doing, and that's what, like, works for me. Rather than putting the thing at the bottom of the stairs and saying, I'll take it upstairs next time I go up and, like, not seeing it next time I go upstairs, just take the 30 seconds and walk it upstairs. Yeah.

I freaking love that so much. Speaking of things that, like, I don't know, hold us accountable or other ways to work through what we have or just live sustainably with what we, what we have and the way that our brains work. You said that you believe ADHD led you to your career path as a hair stylist. For me, very much same.

And what I always theorized for myself was that, like, because of a client being in my chair and me being accountable to other humans, it was impossible for me to not do my job. Like, I could not procrastinate. I couldn't get distracted from it. I literally was s- held fully accountable to the person right in front of me and there was no way out of it.

And I feel like that's why it was such a freaking, it has been and it still is, a great career path for me because there's no way out of it, right? Absolutely. Do you agree?Yes.

Service providers, like the best ... Like, for ADHD people, being someone who is accountable to meeting with people, I ... Before I was even diagnosed, I always said, "If I wasn't ... If I didn't have people waiting for me, there's no way I'd work."

Right. And I will say, like, this 2023's been a year for me of a lot of healing and a lot of personal work that I've put in the foref- like, in the forefront of my life above my business. And yeah. Like, I have not been accountable to work at all.

Like, 'cause I work from home now, and it's a lot harder- Yeah. when you don't have ... Like, I try now to schedule meetings and calls first thing in the morning, so it gets me up and it makes me do something. Right.

So, I think, yeah. Like, you have to ... Being a hairstylist, being a beauty professional, being a service provider is probably the best hack that someone with ADHD can be. Yeah, 100%.

And then let me ask you, and I don't know if, like, you figured it out, 'cause I'm still, like, figuring it out. I'm still figuring out different ways to get myself into it and to actually do the damn thing. Like, because, you know, with the business that you have now, or even behind the chair, having to be a business owner and having mo- um, now you have administrative tasks, now we have to focus on our marketing. We have to do a lot of things other than the hair, right?

And in those times, in those different departments of our businesses as hairstylists, there's nobody holding us accountable besides ourselves, right? Do you believe, or have you found anything that's been helpful for you to show up solely for yourself in those moments? Yeah. Like, one thing that I, I remember when I first went out on my own in 2010, is when I went self-employed, and my dad was like, "Make sure you do your bookkeeping every day.

It'll take 10 minutes." And I was like, "Cool Dad, gonna hire that out." Period. From the very beginning.

And like, I tried to do it for a week and I was like, "Nah." Like, "I hate this. I'm not good at it. Like, this is not ..."

And he's like, "Dawn, it's easy." And like, I don't ... My dad w- Like, I love my dad and I know that he wasn't trying to shame me, but I'm like, "But it's not easy for me." And he couldn't grasp or understand at that time that like, sure, it's a simple task, but like, what's easy and simple is actually harder.

And so learning to hire out the things that I will drag my feet on and realizing that I would rather ... Like, when you think of it mathematically, which I love math, is I could spend six hours a month at my kitchen table, frustrated, feeling like I'm pulling my hair out, crying, trying to figure out my bookkeeping, or what it would cost ... And this is something I teach my students in Rock Your Business, and I'm sure you teach very similar stuff with this- Literally, yes. within your programs, is, what would it cost me to hire a bookkeeper?

And it actually would take me less hours of work doing hair, something that I love, I'm naturally good at, and I enjoy, to pay for someone rather than wasting that six hours that I'm not working- ... at the kitchen table. And we ... Like, I used to not count the hours I was working on my business as work, and I see that happen a lot.

And so for me, it's like, you know, the administrative stuff, I hired out my emails right away. Like, within the first year, I got someone, like, taking care of my emails. I mean, now there's, like, software, and I know you speak a lot on that stuff of, like, automation. There wasn't a lot of that back in 2010.

Right. But just, like, really delegating to other people that are better. And it can be scary 'cause you're spending money, but all of a sudden you free up time and you might be able to work less hours and be able to pay for those people and still keep some money. So, that's been my superpower.

But then also learning that ... Oh, I had a thought, now it's gone. There's a, there's a whole ADHD moment. Oh.

It was a good one too. Sorry, guys. It's okay. That was beautiful by itself.

If it comes back to you, let us know. Um, y- 100%. And also, not to mention, somebody who will do it, who is an expert, who will do it way better than you probably would. Yeah.

Right? As well. The ... I remember it now.

Period. This is, like, fully ADHD. I love it. So, I think the other thing is, is like, especially now with like the social media world, is there's so much information coming at us on how to streamline and how to do stuff, which is good and helpful.

But for me, and I don't know about other people, so I'm curious your experience with this, Hunter, is sometimes because that whole planning and strategizing thing can get in my way, it's better for me to just do. And so, like, for example, when it comes to social media, I've like ... I'll have weeks where I do pre-plan and I batch and I schedule and it's all gonna ... It feels so good to get it out of the way.

But sometimes my magic is doing it in the moment. And so ... And then I feel like, "Oh, I didn't batch this week," or, "I didn't get this done." And clearly, like, if I'm gonna be successful, successful people do this.

And I have this whole definition of what a successful entrepreneur or on- or a hairstylist or a salon owner or sweet owner looks like. And it's like, they pre-plan, they batch, and like, "I've done all this," and like, no, what does a successful Dawn look like and what works for me best? And that might fluctuate. That might be batching stuff one week, that might be posting on the fly another week.

And allowing myself to be a paradox and have that juxtaposition in my business and my life. And the more I've leaned into that, rather than shame myself when I'm not doing the things the way a quote unquote successful person would, I'm able to accept myself and I, I show up way better. Right. And I think for me, like, the methods or the planning or the systems or whatever helps you get through it, whatever helps you actually get it done- Yeah.

it changes all- Yeah. For me, it changes all the time. Like, the same method that worked for me last week to ho- hold myself accountable, show up as efficiently as possible, may not work for me next week, you know? I love that you share that, because I think that we just ...

I mean, for me, I'm just always navigating and changing, and the world is changing, my brain is changing, my interests, my motivations are changing. And so every single week, every single day, it's going to cha- The, what's also going to change is what's actually going to help me show up and get the thing done. So I love not putting so much pressure on yourself to do it in this perfect systematized way every single time, um, 'cause sometimes you just might have to change that up for yourself. Yeah.

And like learning that, like, changing things up might mean more work, but if it means I'm gonna be excited, interested, and take action, then it's better. Mm. Even if it's like, quote unquote, more work. I don't know.

Like, do you feel that way too? Like, I have to be interested and excited and so even if it is, you know, like people say, like, set it and ... I don't know, set it and ... Set it and forget it?

Yes. I forgot the word. I forget. Yeah.

But, like, then it, when, when things become too routine, I get so bored. Right. And sometimes I need to push through, but sometimes I'm like, "No, I just gotta, like, keep, keep the same thing going, but find a new fresh way to look at it." Yeah, and I also think the power in that too, right, the whole concept of, like, I can't do it if it's not going to be exciting or new or fresh for my brain, I think it's important to remember how powerful that is for us.

And although it can, we can, it can be a disadvantage sometimes, although it can cause some shittiness for us and our business and our lives, on the flip side of it, I think it's so beautiful that for me, and maybe for you as well, because of the way that our brain works, because it attracts us to the things that we're most passionate about, it naturally leads us down a path of things that are, bring us joy and bring us passion, and really, like, naturally reject shit that is just not in alignment with us in the moment. And when you look at, like, how short our lives are, and, like the small amount of time that we're gifted as human beings, I think that sometimes it can be really beautiful that you have this, like, natural navigation in your brain that, like, forces you to get creative, be innovative, and focus on the things that bring you the most joy and passion. Yeah, like, I, people tell me all the time, like, how creative I am and how exciting I make things. And I'm like, "Really?"

Like, I can be so hard on myself with things, and I think that's maybe part of ADHD, is, like, being really hard on ourselves because classic education systems don't work for us. Mm. And so from, like, a very young age, and I'm curious because you were diagnosed younger what your experience was, but for me, I just, like, never... I remember looking at one of my friends that I grew up with, and I'm like, "I know I'm smarter than her.

Why does she get better grades?" Literally. And like, this, like, confused feeling of like, "Why can't I seem to persevere?" Yeah.

"Clearly, I'm not focused or dedicated or," you know, and thinking, thinking that I just sucked. Right. And, like, not seeing the, like, the awesome side to it. Totally, 100%.

Not until, like, and, you know, not until I was into my career, which I to-, like, I just accidentally fell into, and I was like, "I'm really good at this, and it's fun and exciting." But yet for some reason, people think the suc-, the success is, like, being in a office in a desk, and it's like, I would die a slow death. That's, like, the standard that society has set for us, or, like, just because that's, like, the public perception does not mean that that has to be true for us. Yeah, like, I'm literally...

Well, you can see, like, there's dog hair all over the couch behind me. It's a hot mess. My dog loves to lay on that couch. But I'm, like, sitting on a poof on the floor- ...

with my, like, sit-stand desk all the way as low as it possibly can because, like, I can't sit in a chair. Right. Like, and learning, like, what works well for me and being okay with not fitting into society's norms, even, like, and going, like, "I've built my life around what I love." I love to travel, I love to speak, I love to connect with people in real life, so why would I try to fit myself into a box that doesn't, like, sustain that?

And it's been... I, I mean, I'm a Taurus, so I'm stubborn as hell. And I think that's been, like, a superpower of mine as well is I'm like, "No, I'm not gonna let someone else dictate what success-" "... is for me."

I wanna feel happy, and I know that I can do a career that doesn't define me, but helps make me happy and gives me the life that I've always wanted to live. Yeah, and if I'm not mistaken, I've seen, I've seen, like, studies that, like, the m- like, a lot of entrepreneurs are neurodivergent because we want to be in charge of our own careers, because we don't fit into this, like, norm, right? Of, like, the office desk and sitting in that chair all freaking day too. Yeah, and even when I became, like, more into education and I started being at home at a desk, I was like, "I need to be here from 9:00 to 5:00."

And I was like, "Why am I doing this to myself?" Right. Oh my gosh, and to- that's such a good point, and you and I both talk about, like, boundaries a lot. And I think that, that, to that point, to the independent stylists who are listening to this, who, who...

You got into being y- your own business owner for a damn reason. And it can be really difficult for you to run your business the way that you would really like to run it, the way that would be most conducive to your success and your happiness, because it's scary to confront your clients, to roll changes out to them, and to also believe in yourself enough to make that work for you. But at the end of the day, it's like, you gotta remember, like, you gotta reap the benefits of all the hard work and the scary decisions and the leaps that you've made to become an entrepreneur, to become your own boss. Lean into that as much as you possibly can, but it definitely obviously takes some courage.

It takes working through some uncomfortability and fear, right? And I know that can be difficult, but I love that you shared that. Well, like, remember why we went self-employed was for the freedom. Exactly.

Exactly. And that then we, like, ball and chain ourselves to, like, "I have to work all the time. I need to be available all the time." And it's like this, like, freedom of schedule is great, but I also want freedom.

Right. And took me, like, hitting rock bottom and took me ending up in the hospital thinking I was dying of a stroke, which turned out to be a stress-induced panic attack 'cause I put so much pressure on myself, realizing like, "Oh, I've cre-, I've put myself into more of a box than anyone else could have ever." Totally. "And that's not fair to me."

And so I was actually having this conversation this week where I was feeling like a failure this year in my business because my revenue's lower than it was last year. And I was like, "Uh, I can't admit that out loud. That's embarrassing. That's the wrong direction."

Mm. Right? But then I went, "I have to look at this from a different perspective. I've had an intense year of healing in my personal life, and what a amazing testament to not have to worry about business or revenue this year and take..."

Time for myself, and that I didn't have to stress about anything because I built a business that can provide for me. Right. And I was like, "Wow, funny how I was defining myself based on my revenue." Yup.

I was putting my worth and my, like, w- success amount in my revenue and so if it wasn't always going up, somehow I was a failure. And I was like, "No, I got to take a year where I didn't have to worry about revenue and it still came in." 100%. I freaking love that.

Okay, Dawn. So th- this episode has been so freaking good, I know that the listener is, like, gonna be obsessed with this. Is there anything else that you would like to share as a final note to anybody who's tuning in to this episode right now? I just wanna share, especially if you suspect that you might have ADHD or it's confirmed that you have ADHD or you've just always felt like an outsider in your life, in your business, I- one thing that's helped me actually this exact week, I woke up the other day at 10:00 AM and I immediately started shaming myself for like, "I can't believe you slept in this long, Dawn."

Like, the guilt and the shame of, like, not being able to fit in, so it's like, like, how awesome. I got to wake up at 10:00 AM on like, a Tuesday. Like, that's a pretty rad thing to be able to do, but I think we shame ourselves so much. And so what I wanna share to people is like, if you haven't fit the classic mold, that's your gift and allow yourself...

The moment that I shifted my mindset that morning to, "Wow, like, I got to sleep in and now I can go do what I need to do," and I cranked out so much work I'd been putting off in under 60 minutes, Hunter. It was embarrassing. I was like, "I've been delaying this stuff for weeks." And it only took me two minutes when I put my phone on do not disturb, I put it in another room.

Yup. And, like, any task that I was like, "Oh, I have to go upstairs for that." I would normally be like, "Well, I'll do it later." But I was like, "No, just go do it now."

And I was like, just learning to, like, give yourself grace and compassion for the fact that you are the way you are for a reason and that's your gift. You don't need to change who you are. Yeah. Use it to your advantage and sink into that knowing that you're whole.

You're not just enough, you're whole and complete as you are and that you're allowed to be the way you are and you will end up out of the shame and out of the guilt of not doing things the way you think you're supposed to, out of the shoulds and more into the beauty of, "This is who I am and this is how I get to do things." And that's okay. I'm obsessed. So good, Miss Dawn.

Yes, ma'am. I'm obsessed with that. Um, if people wanna learn more about you and check out what you have going on, where can people find you? Yeah, you can find me on all social channels, mainly Instagram @dawnbradley and dawnbradley.

com is my website, which I don't know when this is airing and I don't know when my new website's gonna be up, but keep checking 'cause I have a new website coming soon and it's gonna be so amazing. Ooh, that's so exciting. I freaking love it. I can't wait to see how amazing and beautiful it is.

Yes. We will leave those links in the show notes for you, my friend. Definitely go check out my friend Dawn. As you can tell, she's freaking awesome.

Dawn, thank you so much for your time today and, um, again, how you're inspiring, uh, the industry. It means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to a whole lot of people. So thank you so much for your time, and thank you, my friend, for tuning into the Modern Hairstylist podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd really appreciate if you left a five star testimonial wherever you're listening to this.

So much love to you and we'll catch you the next episode. Peace out, girl scout. Bye bye.

End of transcript. © 2024 Hunter Donia LLC.