Strategy Hour | Online Marketing for Business Growth

Episode 943: How to Build ADHD-Friendly Systems that Support How Your Brain Works with Latrice Prater
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Host: Abagail Pumphrey, CEO of Boss Project
Guest: Latrice Prater, Neurodivergent CEO and Founder of the Digital Solutions Team

Introduction

In Episode 943 of Strategy Hour, host Abagail Pumphrey welcomes Latrice Prater, a neurodivergent CEO who has successfully scaled her agency by tailoring business systems to support her ADHD. This episode delves into creating ADHD-friendly systems, leveraging neurodivergence as a strength, and fostering an inclusive team environment.

Guest Background and Realization of System Needs (00:02:26 - 04:31)

Latrice Prater shares her journey of discovering that traditional business systems weren’t aligning with her ADHD:

• Starting Out: Began as a virtual assistant in 2020, transitioning from an executive assistant role to home-based entrepreneurship.

• ADHD Diagnosis: Received her diagnosis after starting her business, which clarified her struggles with mundane tasks and procrastination.

• Love for Systems: Initially struggled with administration but developed a passion for creating and automating systems to reduce mental load and enhance productivity.

Latrice Prater [00:04:31]:
“I love systems… how systems can make everything so much easier because manually doing everything sucks and I forget a lot of things.”

Creating Personalized Systems (04:31 - 09:50)

Abagail emphasizes the importance of customizing business systems to individual needs, especially for neurodivergent entrepreneurs:

• Rejecting One-Size-Fits-All: Advocates against rigid routines and mainstream productivity hacks that may not suit everyone.

• Flexible Scheduling: Prefers working hours that align with personal productivity peaks, such as late starts and avoiding early morning routines.

• Social Media Strategies: Successfully manages business growth without adhering to constant social media presence, demonstrating alternative pathways to success.

Abagail Pumphrey [00:08:00]:
“I can grow a business without being on social media 24/7. I’ve done it.”

Implementing ADHD-Friendly Structures (09:50 - 16:20)

Latrice discusses how she structures her business to accommodate her ADHD:

• Automations and Workflows: Utilizes tools like Zapier to automate reminders for client anniversaries and birthdays, reducing the need for manual tracking.

• Slow Starts: Begins her day with activities that follow her dopamine levels, such as casual browsing or creative tasks, before transitioning into client work.

• Team Management: Assigns roles within her team to maintain structure without relying solely on herself, promoting autonomy and consistency.

Latrice Prater [00:16:20]:
“I have so many different automations set up right now… my day starts out extremely slow.”

Essential Tools and Platforms (16:20 - 22:51)

Latrice highlights her favorite tools that help manage her business efficiently:

• ClickUp: Central hub for all business operations, managing everything from credit cards to hiring processes through visual reminders and automated workflows.

• Additional Tools: Utilizes G Suite for organization, Slack for communication, FG Funnels for marketing, and LastPass for password management.

Latrice Prater [00:16:20]:
“Everything lives in ClickUp for me. It’s my CEO corner that’s just accessible to me.”

Managing an ADHD-Friendly Team (22:51 - 35:06)

Latrice shares strategies for leading a diverse and neurodivergent team:

• Delegation: Emphasizes the importance of delegating tasks to maintain focus and productivity, relying on her intuition to assess team dynamics.

• Personal Connections: Fosters a supportive environment by connecting with team members beyond business tasks, understanding their personal and professional needs.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Encourages collaborative efforts to address challenges, ensuring that team members can work in ways that suit their strengths.

Latrice Prater [00:29:06]:
“I am really big on just kind of developing people… making it about all of us and not just me.”

Redefining Productivity and Success (35:06 - 39:49)

Latrice redefines what success means for her, moving away from traditional metrics:

• Impact Over Income: Values making a meaningful impact and providing valuable services over chasing revenue milestones.

• Daily Accomplishments: Measures success by daily achievements and avoiding regrets, prioritizing personal satisfaction and progress.

• Flexible Goals: Adapts goals based on what feels right, ensuring that success aligns with personal values and mental well-being.

Latrice Prater [00:35:50]:
“Success for me actually doesn’t matter because honestly, what I also realize is I’m not money motivated. I care more about am I making an impact?”

Leveraging ADHD as a Superpower (39:49 - 40:14)

Latrice discusses how her ADHD serves as a strength in her business endeavors:

• Creative Problem-Solving: Possesses the ability to think outside the box and develop unique solutions.

• Relentless Innovation: Continuously generates new ideas and strategies, driving the business forward with creativity.

• Intuitive Processing: Processes information in a dynamic way, allowing for spontaneous insights and effective decision-making.

Latrice Prater [00:38:25]:
“I am a creative problem solver. I am relentless. I tend to see things that most people don't see.”

Building an Inclusive Business Environment (40:14 - 44:31)

Abagail emphasizes the importance of creating a business culture that accommodates diverse working styles:

• Empathy and Understanding: Encourages leaders to recognize and support the unique needs of team members without requiring them to conform.

• Adaptability: Promotes flexible systems that can evolve with changing personal and professional circumstances.

• Transparency: Advocates for open communication about individual working styles to foster a supportive and inclusive team dynamic.

Abagail Pumphrey [00:43:48]:
“You don’t have to change yourself, change your brain. To succeed in business, you can build systems that work with you.”

Conclusion and Takeaways

Strategy Hour Episode 943 offers valuable insights into building ADHD-friendly business systems. Latrice Prater illustrates how embracing neurodivergence can lead to innovative solutions and a more fulfilling entrepreneurial journey. Key takeaways include:

• Personalization is Key: Tailor business systems to fit individual needs rather than adhering to conventional methods.

• Leverage Technology: Utilize automation tools to reduce mental load and enhance productivity.

• Foster an Inclusive Team: Support team members by understanding their unique working styles and providing the necessary autonomy.

• Redefine Success: Focus on impact and personal satisfaction over traditional financial metrics.

• Embrace Neurodivergence as a Strength: Use ADHD-driven creativity and problem-solving abilities to propel business growth.

Abagail Pumphrey [00:44:31]:
“Yeah. You creating an environment that works for you, that you will succeed in, that’s the most important part.”

Connect with Latrice Prater

• LinkedIn & Facebook: Search for Latrice Prater
• Website: dstagency.com
• Podcast: Unconventional CEOs available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

For more strategies and insights on growing your online business, visit bossproject.com/podcast to access free resources and show notes.

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