I'm Shelby, a coach for freelancers with ADHD.
About Me
I'm on a mission to help neurodivergent minds build thriving freelance businesses that work WITH their brains, not against them—because the traditional workplace wasn't designed for how we think, create, and succeed.
And in this era of remote work and entrepreneurship, there's never been a better time to design a career that celebrates your unique wiring.
As your ADHD freelance coach, I'm here to help you transform those "quirks" that make you feel broken into the superpowers that make you unstoppable.
You should also know that the decade-plus I spent navigating my own ADHD journey—from burnout and self-doubt to building a six-figure freelance career—means that I have a unique perspective on what it really takes to succeed when your brain works differently...
My Approach to Coaching
First, we have to understand and accept who you are. With authenticity being essential for ADHD entrepreneurs, your first priority has to be recognizing that you're not broken—you're just operating in systems that weren't built for you.
Next, we reframe the narrative. I don't believe in the "fix yourself" approach to ADHD—which is to say, I'll never suggest you force yourself into neurotypical molds that drain your energy and crush your spirit.
Instead, we map out your unique ADHD geography by understanding your energy patterns, hyperfocus superpowers, and creative rhythms.
(As someone who's been exactly where you are, this is my superpower!!)
From there, we design a business strategy that actually works for YOUR brain. Once you've embraced your neurodivergence and learned to work with your natural patterns, building a sustainable, profitable freelance business won't just feel natural—you'll wonder why you ever tried to do it any other way!
Frankly, I take this holistic approach whether we're working together on overcoming imposter syndrome, landing your first high-paying client, or scaling to six figures.
Because trying to build a business without understanding your unique wiring? Without honoring your ADHD strengths and challenges?
Well... that's a lot like trying to run a marathon in shoes that don't fit.
That's why, for every client I work with, I see both the forest and the trees. Most importantly, while I'm helping you build the freelance business of your dreams... You get to focus on doing what you love. What lights you up.
At the end of the day, isn't that the beauty of designing a career around your neurodivergent brain?
How I Got Here...
2010
That September, I thought I had everything figured out. As I added risers under my bed (every inch of storage counts in a dorm, after all) and met my new dormmate, I was so excited.
To join my university's art program, I'd had to declare myself as a painting major before I'd even toured the campus. But I was game!
Art was my life, in large part because it allowed me to connect with people on an emotional level. A level I'd struggled to reach in most of my friendships up until then.
I had humble visions of trading paintings and stories in exchange for room and board across the world (to my mother's chagrin).
And a Bachelor's of Fine Arts? Well, it just seemed like an obvious stepping stone to creating the life I'd always imagined.
Everything was going perfectly. Except that it wasn't going perfectly. At all.
I felt lost, miserable, and downright disenfranchised. The structured environment felt suffocating, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was fundamentally different from everyone else.
A few heart-to-hearts with my professors later, I made the choice to drop out of college. I wasn't there for the right reasons... And it's hard to take on $40k in student loan debt when something inside you is screaming that this path isn't meant for you.
But what I wanted hadn't changed. I wanted to celebrate creativity while connecting meaningfully with people and improving their lives.
In retrospect, it's no surprise I wandered into a Paul Mitchell cosmetology school for a tour in the days immediately after I left the university.
I fell in love almost immediately. Getting to connect with my clients while bringing their visions to life was perhaps the most magical thing I'd ever experienced. The hands-on, creative environment felt like coming home. "Be the sponge!" quickly became my motto—and it still is today.
I participated in every additional opportunity we were given, from giving free back-to-school haircuts to testing into the school's prestigious Phase Two Future Professional program. By the time I graduated, I couldn't wait to start my salon career and show the world that I could truly "make it" on my own terms—by showcasing my authenticity and empathy.
2012
I dealt with some unexpected challenges in my first year behind the chair. I was surprised to find that certain salons had absolutely ruthless metrics we were required to hit as stylists.
Can't do a certain amount of haircuts in an hour? You're fired.
The rigid structure and constant pressure to perform at someone else's pace felt impossibly overwhelming.
Don't get me wrong—I rose to meet the challenge... But honestly, I started to wonder if I'd made the exact same mistake I'd made in starting university for the wrong reasons.
At the end of the day, though, I loved helping people. I couldn't just give up. That summer, I started at a new salon—an Aveda salon that cared less about cold metrics and more about genuine connection with clients.
I received multiple opportunities for continuing education, and I fell in love again... this time with Aveda's branding, messaging, and marketing.
Within a few months (and without using slimy sales tactics) I'd achieved the highest product sales of any Aveda stylist in our district.
Talking about the benefits of these amazing products felt more natural than almost anything else I'd ever done! When you find work that aligns with your natural strengths, everything just clicks.
2013
By 2013, I had built an unfalteringly loyal, incredibly diverse clientele... but the salon had changed.
Some shifts in branding and daily operations meant I was facing the same cold, sales-obsessed approach I already knew didn't work for me.
I got the same nagging feeling as before—those warning bells telling me this wasn't the path for me.
So, I put in my notice and started the search for a salon I could call home. Where I could be my authentic self, add value for every single client, and address their needs...
Before even thinking about trying to sell them products or additional services.
To my surprise, I found exactly what I was looking for... At a children's salon that'd been a mainstay of the community for nearly 30 years.
2019
From the moment I started at Brat Pack Salon in 2013, I knew I'd found the place I'd been searching for my entire career.
While we specialized in kids' haircuts, I also worked with moms and dads daily—and I loved connecting with every single one of them. I thrived in the organized chaos, eventually growing into my role as operations manager.
But I was having problems... health problems, specifically. Early signs of carpal tunnel combined with a sudden downturn in my mental health led me to work with a few different doctors in search of an answer.
And then... I was diagnosed with ADHD in the spring of 2019, and suddenly so many things made sense.
The years of feeling "too much" or "not enough."
The way I'd shut down emotionally after any rejection.
The difficulty with traditional structures and schedules.
The hyperfocus that could last hours followed by complete creative paralysis.
The constant feeling that I was somehow broken or lazy, despite clear evidence of my capabilities.
All of it finally had a name—and more importantly, it wasn't a character flaw.
As much as I loved my role, I was completely and utterly burnt out (physically and mentally). I needed time to understand what my diagnosis meant and how I could create a life that worked with my unique brain—rather than against it.
2020
Like many of us, I was forced to sink or swim in 2020. Suddenly, my plans to slowly wind down my salon career and pivot were literally furloughed.
In a lot of ways, this was a huge blessing. I had the time to wrap my head around what I wanted and needed—which included sorting out who I was going to help, and how.
When I realized I could combine my love of writing with my newfound understanding of my ADHD brain, I started learning absolutely everything I could about copywriting.
The flexibility of freelance writing felt perfect for my brain—I could work during my peak focus hours, take breaks when I needed them, and dive deep into topics that genuinely fascinated me.
But the real breakthrough came when I started running a private Facebook group for writers.
I found myself naturally answering questions and recording quick how-to videos when people needed walkthroughs.
I began offering 1:1 sessions, and I was completely upfront with every person I coached: I have ADHD, and my experiences with certain struggles—like emotionally shutting down for the entire day when a potential client said "no thanks"—might be more extreme than their own.
I asked them to please be extremely real with me about their fears and struggles so I wouldn't project my own experiences onto them.
And every single woman I worked with said something like, "I deal with that exact same thing. I've always wondered if I have undiagnosed ADHD, so I would appreciate learning your ADHD-specific strategies!"
EVERY single woman was grappling with self-hatred, feeling "broken" or "lazy" or even "crazy."
That's when it hit me: business coaches don't understand ADHD, and ADHD coaches don't understand business. But I understood both—and I could seriously help people who hadn't yet found the help they needed.
Today...
Today, I work with neurodivergent entrepreneurs all over the globe who are passionate about what they do, but who need someone who truly understands the unique challenges of building a business with an ADHD brain.
Whether you're struggling with getting started each day, dealing with rejection sensitivity, managing time and deadlines, or working through the complex emotions that come with feeling different in a neurotypical world...
I want to support you! Your ideal clients are out there, just waiting to connect with someone exactly like you. I'll help you build the business and life that celebrates your neurodivergence while creating meaningful income and impact.
So, shall we get started?
Looking forward to helping you design your dream career,
Shelby Dennis
Your ADHD Freelance Coach
What Next?
If you're ready to learn more about what support might look like, get in touch with me! From my Skool community for ADHD copywriters to my PDF guides to my how-to videos, I probably have a resource or solution for your biggest hurdles.
Just click here to send me a message.
Free session to get you started.
I never want money to get in the way of achieving your dreams. Book your first session for free!