Testimonial: Sue Westwood, BGH Mentor

I was in my 40’s before I found out I had ADHD, it wasn’t spotted earlier as I didn’t have the typical ‘hyperactive’ traits. Many girls, like myself, have inattentive or combined ADHD and sadly go undiagnosed and often underperform at school and in the workplace as a result. 

I had bags of energy as a child, I struggled to sit still or concentrate for any length of time. I had a vivid imagination and was highly creative but I had an incredibly low boredom threshold, I struggled to focus and I was distracted easily, which isn’t ideal in a school or work environment.

Since finishing university I have been a business owner and I have frequently battled the temptation of the ‘shiny new object’ syndrome, or the ’shiny new business idea’ as I like to call it, which has reared its head regularly throughout my business life, with both positive and negative consequences. Starting new projects has always been exciting to me but having the focus to see them through to the end was always a battle, and this is a classic problem for others with ADHD.

I have had varied business experience from construction to franchising, photography to fitness and through that, I have gained lots of valuable experience. I have developed my passion for starting new projects and businesses to helping others and recognised that accountability is key to progress and success, particularly for the neurodiverse community. I have been a business mentor for many years and I mentor for several organisations including the Business Growth Hub. Several years ago I sustained a life-changing brain injury that intensified my ADHD traits and I was unable to read for many years which forced me to change business direction. During my rehabilitation, I learned that neurodiversity could be acquired through brain injuries and I also discovered how creative, resilient, innovative and adaptable the neurodiverse community are. This inspired me to provide support and accountability to neurodiverse business owners through my coaching business.

I have to thank Andy Hall and his team at The Business Growth Hub who provide an amazing opportunity for local business owners to work with experienced and knowledgable mentors and for championing neurodiversity in business. Mentoring and accountability are invaluable and I certainly wish I had been fortunate to experience those opportunities early on in my business journey.