Sharon Collon, The Functional Family
We provide practical, life changing strategies and support for parents of children with ADHD.
We offer:
- free tips, blog and podcast
- a free 7 day program
- our flagship 6 week program, ADHD and Families
- a ADHD families membership
- one on one private coaching
- a supportive private online community
We love anything that makes life more fun and functional for families with ADHD.
When did you start your business?
2018 since that time we have helped 18000 families
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
When my first son was diagnosed with ADHD we looked around for support and practical strategies and couldn’t find anything. We felt overwhelmed and unsupported. I listened to my husband’s horrific stories of growing up with severe ADHD (labelled the naughty kid, excluded socially etc) and I wanted to change that storyline for my little boy. Our home life was really chaotic and I felt like everywhere I turned for help we were met with brick walls. I knew something had to change.
I began researching and studying ADHD. I read all the books, tried every therapy and ran experiments on my family to see if I could create systems at home to make life easier for us all. I documented everything. I noticed that when we created systems to work with the ADHD brain (not against it), things became a lot easier.
I collated what I had discovered over 10 years of research and distilled it down into easy to implement steps and began sharing it to the world to help other families just like mine.
I now have 3 little boys with combined type ADHD and we are passionate about helping other families and advocating for those who are travelling along the same journey.
What are you most excited about in your business?
So much! But one of the things I love the most is our regional reach. We are fortunate to interview some of the best experts in the world about ADHD and we connect this knowledge to people in outback Australia and remote NZ. I love this so much – knowledge is power and we are giving parents these tools to help their children.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
My biggest challenge is time and energy. I have had to be ruthless with my time (as I am also looking after 3 children with extra needs). I focus on things that move the needle and have the most impact. I also have a chronic pain / autoimmune disease, so I protect my energy fiercely because I need to make sure I can be there for my own family, if I am going to be able to show up for anyone else’s.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Find your niche and serve it well. To me my business has always been personal. I understand what my client’s are going through and I make sure that I honour their journey, time and effort.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
I crave community. As my business is online, I work alone a lot. I wanted to be in the room with a whole lot of inspirational women doing incredible things. I was not disappointed! I was blown away with the connections I made from the conference and the awards. Everyone was so accepting and encouraging.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
Without a doubt the community.
What surprised you most about the awards?
How emotional I got listening to some of the acceptance speeches. I was in awe of these amazing women and their stories.
How did the awards help you in your business?
Winning the awards has opened publicity doors for me, with press releases, instagram takeovers, newspaper articles. It was a wonderful promotional opportunity and also added to my brand’s credibility. My goal is always to help as many families as possible, we have had so many people reach out with connections and opportunities.
What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?
Do it! It is an incredible opportunity to reflect on all the amazing work you have done. I left the awards feeling inspired to dream big.
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
I have built a business that I believe in. I don’t feel like I am working. I feel like I am making a difference. I have flexibility and have structured it around my family’s needs and my health – for that I will always be grateful.
What’s happening next in your business?
So many exciting projects are happening. We will shortly be launching our membership program, which will be a low cost membership that has a monthly theme. I can’t wait.
What are your big plans for the future?
Ultimately the goal is to help as many families as possible. My big plans are to have other ADHD coaches on staff to ensure that every family knows we have availability to support them.
What is your website and/or social media links (eg. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram)
Website: www.thefunctionalfamily.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefunctionalfamily
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-collon-3670a2174/
