ADHD fundamentally impacts executive function—the mental skills for planning, prioritizing, delegating, and following through. So, when an entrepreneur hires a VA and is expected to onboard, direct, and give detailed instructions, they’re faced with a mismatch: the very skills they struggle with are those they now must use to instruct their assistant.

Traditional VAs, trained to “do what they’re told,” end up sitting idle, waiting for direction, while the entrepreneur is paralyzed by indecision and shame. The result? Money is wasted, little is accomplished, and increased frustration, making it even harder to try again.

What if support could be different? What if, instead of looking for a “unicorn” VA who can do everything, ADHD entrepreneurs sought out “distant assistants”—human lifelines who specialize in executive functioning, regulated communication, and operationalized thinking?Today’s guest is Avigail (Avy) Schondorf, fellow ADHD entrepreneur, podcaster, and owner of the Alisto agency that trains and outsources distant assistants who understand what neurodivergent business owners really need.

This conversation is full of insights, humor, cringeworthy moments, and a new paradigm for shame-free support.

Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone considering hiring support:

A “bad” solution is not worse than no solution. Many ADHD entrepreneurs avoid help out of fear that it won’t work, but that only fuels more shame and wasted energy.
Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment or system. The real tipping point isn’t having more work—it’s being ready to ask for what you need, without shame.
Stop looking for unicorns—lean into teams. Expecting one assistant to do everything sets everyone up for failure. Specialized support means you (and your VA) can play to your strengths.

If “doing it all myself” isn’t scalable OR sustainable, maybe it’s time to delegate differently—and embrace asking for help as a sign of strength.

About today’s guest, Avigail (Avy) Schondorf:

Avigail (Avy) Schondorf is a social worker turned entrepreneur who built two companies around the way her brain actually works.

She's the founder of Alisto Virtual Workforce, a team of Distant Assistants who specialize in supporting neurodivergent entrepreneurs — and AvyHD, her strategy and thought leadership brand where she gets real about ADHD, delegation, and building a business without burning out.

When she's not running her team or hosting the AvyHD Podcast, she's lifting weights, reading, or wrangling two very energetic daughters.

Connect with Avy:

Mentioned during this episode:

Avigail’s Octopus prompt

Jamie from Bottleneck Distant Assistant

My interview on Avi’s podcast, “Consistency, the Other C Word for ADHD Entrepreneurs”

Your ADHD-ish™ host, Diann Wingert

Diann Wingert brings decades of experience as a psychotherapist and serial business owner and is now a sought-after coach to entrepreneurs with ADHD traits. Her style is direct, strategic, and always honest—peppered with the insight of someone who lives and breathes the neurodivergent experience.

Diann is a fierce advocate for self-acceptance and meaningful growth at the intersection of neurodivergence and entrepreneurship. She is the creator of the ADHD-ish Method and host of the top-rated ADHD-ish podcast.

Links:

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Ready to work with an ADHD-informed business strategist and coach? Visit my website.