Workshops not selling? I've been there

Dear neurodivergent entrepreneur,

“I can’t believe only two women booked my workshop. All that hard work down the drain and nothing in the bank to show for it. Plus I can’t deliver a workshop to a couple of people - it’s too embarrassing.”

I’ve heard this statement from new clients multiple times.

I get it. Pouring your heart and soul into an offer that you think is the bees knees, only to have nobody show up is soul-destroying, especially when it isn’t even the first time it’s happened.

As a neurodivergent woman and sensitive to rejection (RSD), I used to take situations like this extremely personally. I’d feel so much shame, I’m sure it turned my insides crimson.

Sitting around the dinner table eating tapas with friends, they'd ask how my business was going. I’d smile politely, not wanting to talk negatively because I understand the law of attraction... but couldn’t deny to myself that I was failing.

I’d go to bed at night wondering: What can I do now? How on earth can I make this work? Perhaps I’m just not suited for self-employment.

 The thoughts would spiral: What about my pension, or lack of one? What about my future?

Maybe I should return to a salaried role?

But what about all the years of training, and all the money invested, and my inherent love for the work I do? Should I throw it all in the bin?

And that’s not even considering what going back to work in a neurotypical environment would do to my health. I’m convinced even one week spent in such a stifling environment would land me back in bed with burnout.

All of these thoughts are paralysing. I’ve had them numerous times. When I was in this terrible spot—not attracting enough clients—I always reverted back to feelings of lack, of not being good enough, and that crushing feeling, that yet again, I was doing something wrong.

But…the thought of abandoning my entrepreneurial dreams was too upsetting for me to quit.

After licking my wounds, I’d once more reach for anything that would help me crack the elusive code of a balanced life filled with abundance—like I saw other coaches in my field experiencing.

I bought expensive coaching and numerous courses, hoping to learn from ‘experts’ who’d already achieved what I wanted.

But it didn’t seem to matter how much money I spent or how hard I worked; the results didn't arrive.

I didn’t know why. I thought it was a personal failure. Now I know differently.

Neurotypical business advice doesn’t work for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. It only leads to overwhelm (task paralysis), burnout, not enough money in the bank, and a lifetime of not feeling worthy.

I’ve since learned a lot via:

1. My unrelenting obsession with entrepreneurship.

2. My commitment to experimenting with alternative strategies regularly.

3. My surgical approach to dissecting what works and why (and what does not work and why)

4. My role as a business coach to neurodivergent women.

My practice is focused solely on helping women earn decent money without compromising their values or nervous system. This is what I do every day.

When clients come to me, I see the same story—often a mirror image of mine—a business based on neurotypical advice, which isn’t getting them the results they desire, not realising there’s another way.

I’m not saying running a successful business is easy, not at all. I still come up against challenges, but I’ve developed a new lens to view any problems with—focusing solely on peace and profit—and this has been the key to my success.

Running a business is a big responsibility, but it doesn’t have to be mentally, emotionally, or physically draining or leave you financially depleted.

I want you to be able to move forward in a way that feels aligned with your values, is kind on your nervous system, and brings you financial abundance.

Your business has a chance of immense success, even if you think you’ve tried everything you can and even if you don’t know where to go from here.

When you understand the truth—that a neurotypical approach is unlikely to work for you—you can start to view your business in a whole new way.

You can figure out—using your beautiful neurodivergent mind and intuition—how to turn your business into a venture that gives you more freedom, joy, and abundance than anything you've experienced before.

In warmth and solidarity,

Hannah

Some other posts you'll like:

1. Why Proactive Rest is a Great Strategy for Neurodiverse Women

2. The Gift Of Hyperfocus: It's an Outstanding Business Strength

3. Why We Need To Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome

4. I Wouldn't Be Successful Without Help From Others