Somebody Stole My Sh*t!" : Copycats, Counterfeiters, and How to Protect What You've Built
From her unexpected rise as an ADHD comic creator to pouring over 3,000 hours into designing The Anti-Planner, a "productivity spell book," Dani Donovan shares her unfiltered journey: building a tool for people tired of feeling like failures, dealing with the emotional roller coaster of intellectual property theft, and navigating impostors selling shoddy knockoffs of her labor of love.
We discuss what goes into protecting your intellectual property as an entrepreneur, why valuing your own creative work is vital, and what Dani wishes she’d known before dealing with copycat chaos and the steep cost of defending her business. Her story underscores why trademark protection and legal safeguards aren't luxuries—they're essential armor for small business ownership.
If you’ve ever obsessed over planners you never use, struggled with perfectionism and procrastination, or wondered what it really takes to launch and protect something one-of-a-kind—this episode will resonate.
Get ready for hard truths, laughter, and transparency about the messy realities of ADHD entrepreneurship.
Key takeaways for fellow creators and founders:
Protect Your IP Early - Dani Donovan’s story underscores the importance of copyrighting your content and considering trademarks before you reach mass awareness—even an overseas copyright or trademark if necessary.
Counterfeiting Can Happen to You - Whether you’re just starting out or have a viral hit, don’t assume your business is “too small” to be targeted. Copycats watch for what’s trending, and success makes you a target.
Community & Transparency Matter - Sharing the messy, challenging parts (like publicly addressing counterfeiting) can activate support from customers and fellow entrepreneurs—and may even lead to further growth and visibility.
Fun Fact From The Episode
When the first shipment of the Anti-Planner arrived, people (including myself) literally hugged it to their chest—and it wasn’t by accident! Dani intentionally made it “therapy pillow-sized” based on how she wanted users to feel about it. When have you ever felt like hugging another productivity tool? Yeah, it’s my first time, too!
About today’s guest, Dani Donovan:
Dani Donovan is an award-winning designer and creator of the viral hit product, "The Anti-Planner: How to Get Sh*t Done When You Don't Feel Like It." Known for her relatable ADHD comics, tweets, and TikToks, she's been helping shape the online neurodiversity community since 2018. Dani was the closing keynote speaker at the 2021 International ADHD Conference, and her work has helped thousands of people seek an ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
Mentioned during the episode:
MarqVision Brand Protection Agency
About the Anti-Planner:
Tapping into her own frustrations and the lived experiences of ADHD peers, Dani Donovan spent over 3,000 hours creating The Anti-Planner, a “productivity spellbook”—a lovingly designed, non-linear, highly personalized compendium of over 100 strategies for overcoming procrastination and building emotional resistance.
Dani obsessed over every detail: the comforting size, playful illustrations, durable faux-leather binding, gold foil, thick paper, pen loop, and rounded corners. It is gorgeous, practical, and nothing like all the planners you’ve bought and abandoned two weeks later.
Buy your copy of the Original Anti-Planner here. (Dani also has a Clean version if you are not so sweary…)
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 and strategic, with a dash of humor, and filled with the insights 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.
Should I have Dani back again?
Want Dani Donovan to return to ADHD-ish™ to talk about what actually happens when your business scales way faster than you expected? Let us know by leaving a voice message here or sending an email here. Thanks!
© 2026 ADHD-ish™ Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.
