Work-Life Harmony for the Creativity Entrepreneur Who Hustles Too Hard (Try This)

How Creative Entrepreneurs With ADHD Can Stop Hustling for Approval and Start Building a Life That Works

Jess learned that real consistency means taking regular action, even if it flows in spikes and lulls… building pillow forts with her kids or digging through vinyl records at the store are not distractions—they're creative fuel.

Rethinking Productivity and Brand Strategy for Creative Entrepreneurs with ADHD

Rebranding expert Jess Malli Mercier and Diann Wingert explore what it means to work with a busy, creative brain, how collaboration trumps transactions in entrepreneurship, and why authenticity—rather than an official ADHD diagnosis—leads to fulfillment for the creativity entrepreneur.

Rethinking Productivity with a Creative, Wired Brain

In a recent episode of the ADHD-ish podcast, host Diann Wingert and returning guest Jess Malli Mercier open up about the realities—and opportunities—that come with a creative brain. Both women have traversed the winding path of entrepreneurship while managing the unique challenges of ADHD traits: distractibility, periods of hyperfocus, and the seemingly endless pursuit of "what's next." Jess's journey illustrates just how non-linear, and how rewarding, finding consistency and focus on your own terms can be.

Jess shares that her pre-collaboration days were colored by "scrolling my way through life," losing hours to creative side-quests rather than staying on track with priorities—a familiar scene for anyone with an ADHD-ish brain. But instead of fighting her nature, Jess and Diann worked together to find rhythms and routines that honored her need for novelty, exploration, and rest. Rather than squeezing herself into a productivity mold defined by accountants and business books, Jess learned that real consistency means taking regular action, even if it flows in spikes and lulls. For her, building pillow forts with her kids or digging through vinyl records at the store are not distractions—they're creative fuel.

Why Diagnosis is Only Part of the Story

A central theme in this conversation is the role (and limits) of an ADHD diagnosis. Jess describes her own slow awakening to the possibility of ADHD, catalyzed by relatable stories on social media and Diann's podcast. But she's clear-eyed about her path: "No matter if I have the label or not, I'm still living with this brain."

Both Jess and Diann advocate for a pragmatic approach that any ADHD business coach would recognize. For some, a diagnosis is validating and opens doors to services, accommodations, or medication. For others, especially those not interested in pharmaceuticals, pursuing a label might not add much to their daily lives. Instead, both women emphasize understanding yourself deeply and taking action—whether it's building new habits, embracing supplements, or becoming aware of what genuinely brings satisfaction and peace.

This mindset shift—"I'm not broken, I don't need to be fixed"—is a liberating mantra for creative entrepreneurs. It changes the focus from "what's wrong with me?" to "how do I thrive with the brain I have?" The label, Jess says, isn't nearly as important as the daily practices that create more joy and fulfillment.

The Power of Collaborative Creation

A major breakthrough for Jess came from reimagining how she worked with clients through what essentially became her rebrand strategy. As a brand designer, she realized that a transactional approach ("I pay you, you deliver a logo") felt disconnected and creatively stifling. What truly brought her (and her clients) to life was collaboration: co-creating visuals and messaging that reflected the client's soul and story.

She describes her process as more mirror than paintbrush, helping clients explore their "hopes and dreams," pushing them—a little—past their comfort zones to discover real authenticity in their brands. The result? Work that's transformational, not just decorative. Jess ditches small talk for soul talk—insisting that branding is as much about self-understanding and confidence as it is about colors and fonts.

Diann, too, describes this collaborative space as fertile ground for personal and professional evolution. The two women model how trusting the process, and yourself, can create breakthrough moments—for both designer and client.

Navigating Loss, Guilt, and Growth

The episode doesn't shy away from the tough stuff. Jess speaks vulnerably about the compounded loss of both her parents in a single year, a tragedy that threatened to derail all her progress and momentum. She admits to fighting the urge to "push, push, push," and feeling guilt for not bouncing back faster.

But here, too, the lessons hold: "You are exactly where you need to be," Diann reassures. Growth doesn't happen in perfect arcs, and "progress" is often invisible from the inside. By affirming herself—claiming her path as uniquely hers—Jess redefines what it means to show up, both for her work and for her own healing.

Claiming the "Most You-ist You"

The conversation ends on a note of hard-won optimism and freedom. The antidote to burnout and chronic dissatisfaction, both women agree, is self-acceptance and presence. Jess's new mantra? Permit yourself joy, slow down, and don't just chase consistency—chase the "most you-ist you." Whether she's deep in creative hyperfocus or taking a mental health break at the thrift store, she's writing a playbook that works for her.

Jess is now channeling that spirit into her own podcast about brand transformations, showing other creativity entrepreneurs that there's power, and plenty of cake, in defining success on their own terms.

Conclusion

The ADHD-ish journey isn't about fixing what isn't broken. It's about embracing curiosity, collaboration, and authenticity—all while owning the ebb-and-flow rhythm of a creative life. Sometimes, the best business plan is simply learning how to be the best version of your wildly wonderful self.

Feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or send me an email at diann@diannwingertcoaching.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you'd like to hear the full episode on the ADHD-ish Podcast, you can do that here.