Biz Her Way Series: Meet Danielle Ralston the Original ADHD Coach
By Sacha Walton, Business Strategist and CEO of SWI Management Group
It’s Women’s Business Month, and I’m excited to take the opportunity to celebrate stories of everyday businesswomen making an impact in their communities.
According to the Small Business Association (SBA), “over 13 million women own businesses in the US.” Women are taking their place in society and scaling businesses with ideas, talents, passions, and skillsets while staying focused on legacy building. As a part of my efforts to honor this year’s Women’s Business, I’m celebrating by dedicating this month to elevating the voices and stories of inspiring women entrepreneurs.
Let’s lift up and applaud all the amazing, talented, and diverse women around the world who are making their voices heard.
Recently, I had a wonderful interview with the business owner, Danielle Ralston, The Real ADHD Coach
Thank you for having this interview with me. I’m excited about sharing your story in our Biz Her Way Series for Women’s Business Month. Our readers would love to learn more about you. Please tell us who you are and a little something about yourself.
Hi there! My name is Danielle Ralston and I have been an ADHD coach for 25 years and counting. I have worked with over 1500 ADHD, ASD, and Divergent brains between the ages of 10–70. I am an ADHD-CCSP, ADHD Master Life, CBT, REBT, FBT, PolyVagle Theory, Hipponoono, Clarity and Goal Setting, Career, Entrepreneurship, and Sales Coach.
I have been married for almost 30 years to an amazing ASD man with a 26-year AUDHD son and daughter-in-law.
Everyone has a story behind the beginning of their business. Why did you start your business, write your book, be a creative, or speaker?
I started my entrepreneurship journey because I HATED the corporate world. But it took me five years to really start on my current journey and passion. I was running an IT agency and lost a MASSIVE client, my personal was a mess, my house was a mess, and it felt impossible.
I started trying to learn everything about my own brain and WHY I did things the way I did. Now almost 25 years later I have over 30 certifications and a master’s degree helping me help ADHD adults THRIVE with ADHD instead of living in shame, frustration, and being overwhelmed.
Which quotes or affirmations inspire you?
You can’t change who you are, and you shouldn’t have to fit someone else’s perception of HOW you do things. Do them in your unique way and when you embrace who you are and find your way; you have found success. — Danielle Ralston
How are you making an impact with your business or project?
When I start with my clients, I teach them WHY they do things the way they do. How to accept their uniqueness and how to thrive in their lives.
If you saw a woman struggling in business, what advice would you share with them?
I would want to know WHY they do what they do and bring them back to their why. Also come back to your goals and your why to find the path over, under, and through your current roadblock.
We celebrate Women’s Business Month every year. How could you make a difference in the lives of other women entrepreneurs?
I show overwhelmed, burnt-out overachievers and ADHD/Neurodiverse women how to find the joy and freedom in owning a business without burnout and feeling overwhelmed.
Provide words of wisdom in 2 -5 sentences for another woman.
Understand and embrace your unique strengths. Even in the chaos, persistence fuels success. No matter how small they are celebrate the small victories.
What’s next for you?
I am actually starting something new for ADHD/AUDHD women with a brand-new program to support them in ways that can’t be found anywhere else. 24/7 body doubling, an interactive slack community that supports them often throughout the day and ADHD coaching touch points 4 days a week.
Follow Danielle Ralston: Facebook, Instagram, ADHD Upgraded, and ADHD Upgrade Academy
Sacha Walton, business strategist and owner of SWI Management Group helps entrepreneurs level up their businesses with strategic planning, marketing, and branding, which drive business growth and visibility. Biz Her Way is an annual series for Women’s Business Month and if you would like to be featured this month, email us at info@swimgtgroup.com
