Ditching the tech bros: why I only employ neurodivergent women

+ promote your business here ✨

Dear fellow neurodiverse entrepreneur,

Around a decade ago, I was dating a handsome businessman who worked in the city. It wasn't going particularly well (huge clash of values!), but I had very low self-esteem and didn't really understand who I was (before neurodiverse discovery).

He invited me to his house for lunch one summer afternoon, and I had the opportunity to peruse his home. I was impressed by his extensive bookshelves, but then I noticed he didn't have any books by women.

I asked him, Don't you read books by women? He said, ‘I'd like to, but there just aren't many decent women authors.

I was speechless.

His comments made me reflect. How could somebody think that? But then I realised that the last few books I’d read were all written by men. I decided that from then on, I would only read books by women.

Not only to support women authors, but also because I was tired of hearing about the supposed brave but decidedly privileged heroic adventures of men, and I'm far more interested in the real-life, raw experiences of women anyway.

I now employ a similar approach in my business. After employing various ‘tech bros’ for my website or graphic design and experiencing less than satisfactory services, I employed a female web designer.

She was the first person who actually listened to what I wanted, didn't patronise me and tell me I ‘should’ be doing something another way, and did the job in the time I requested, at the price agreed. Wow.

From then on, I've only ever employed women for everything in my business. Yes, to support another woman, but also because I find it’s a more pleasurable experience, and I get better results.

As I discussed in this video interview with

Andrea Anderson

of Neurokin, neurodiverse women bring a level and depth of genius to our work that I don’t see in neurotypical spaces.

With our attention to detail, pattern recognition, loyalty, integrity, and intense focus on special interests and subsequent depth of knowledge, we bring a level of excellence to our work that is unrivalled in mainstream spaces.

So it makes sense that we should make a point to try and employ other neurodiverse women where we can.

Firstly, we’re more or less guaranteed they’ll do a phenomenal job for us.

Secondly, it’s a way to support our community. We struggle with self-employment, so if we can employ a neurodiverse woman and offer her some work, I am all for it.

Additionally, we can unmask.

For example, I had a new client this week who asked if she should book a free discovery call before her business audit. While perhaps controversial, I don't do free calls anymore.

This is why I offer the low-cost audit. New clients get to know me during this process and can make an informed decision if they wish to work with me further, and I with them.

They also get a ton of valuable, actionable information. So, even if they don’t think we’re a good fit, they haven’t wasted an hour of their time. My audit is priced significantly lower than my regular coaching, so it’s low-risk for the client, but I’m still being remunerated somewhat for my work.

Perhaps more importantly, this approach prevents people from coming through who aren't a good match for my program right now. Those who are not quite in a position to take action with their business or invest.

I recommend this small fee (or there are other similar approaches) to anyone who has fluctuating energy levels. I’ve been there and got the chronic fatigue T-shirt with floods of discovery calls, which never amounted to anything because there are people who just want someone to talk to, or want to pick your brains (for free). This more sustainable approach is an integral part of my staying healthy and avoiding burnout.

Anyway, I was very happy to explain some of this to my new client, because I know she’s neurodiverse and therefore a ‘safe’ person who understands my limited capacity. And of course, she completely understood.

And clients can unmask with me. If I get a last-minute email before a scheduled session saying something like: Hey Hannah, I’m so sorry my energy has plummeted and I won’t be able to give my best to the session, so can we re-arrange?

It doesn’t bother me in the least, and I don’t charge for the session. Because I get it, and I’m pleased that you’re prioritising your needs. I want my clients to rest and be well. Our wellness always has to be our priority, over and above everything else.

So, we can unmask with each other. This is *so* liberating.

So with all of this in mind, I'd love to start promoting the work of other neurodiverse women so that I can potentially employ you one day, or one of my audience members can.

There could be someone on my email list looking for your services right now, or maybe in the future. I am only able to run my business successfully with help from others.

If we support each other in this way, it helps reduce the gender/disabled pay gap and strengthens our self-esteem and our community.

Getting the word out there to other neurodiverse women about your business also offers opportunities for potential collaborations ✨

As I was saying in our live ND meetup last week (You can find the next one here), I find neurotypical spaces utterly tedious and draining. I'm moving further and further away from these environments and interactions, including in my business.

From now on, I’ll only be employing other neurodiverse women.

“I can promise you that women working together – linked, informed and educated – can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet.”
Isabelle Allende

Let's support each other!

I invite you to please share the wonderful work you do (and your website) in the comments.

In faith and solidarity,

Hannah xoxo