Sharon Collon is the owner and founder of The Functional Family, who provides life changing support and strategies for ADHD. Sharon uses her 14 years of research, lived experience and formal training as an ADHD coach to support people with ADHD.
When did you start your business?
2016
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
When Sharon’s first son was diagnosed with ADHD she felt incredibly alone. There was information about how to help the child, but there was nothing on how to support the parents or the family as a whole. The journey of raising her beautiful boys with ADHD was isolating and exhausting. The stress severely affected her health. Sharon’s husband had so many trauma filled stories of growing up misunderstood with ADHD and she was desperate to change the storyline for her little boys. She began researching ADHD and developing systems to work with the ADHD brain. She realised that she could change the environment around her children and husband to work with their strengths. She loves anything that makes life with ADHD easier! Sharon’s company, The Functional Family, has assisted over 35,000 families and individuals with ADHD. She has created online support groups where parents can ask questions, connect and support each other. She offers one on one coaching, parent mentoring, a regular blog, podcast, a membership and an incredible 6 week online program, ADHD and Families. She wants to help those with ADHD get back their time and energy, but most importantly create space for the good stuff!
What are you most excited about in your business?
There is so much to be excited about in this business. I absolutely adore the wonderful people that I am lucky enough to support. A tidal wave of compassion, change and understanding is happening right now in relation to ADHD! The thing I get the most excited about is when we help a client truly understand their incredible brains and how to advocate for themselves. There is so much power in knowing what you need to succeed in this world and I love helping my clients work out what that looks like for them.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
The most challenging part of starting a business was balancing my family and health requirements. I had to work out a way of assisting other families – but not at the cost of my own. Having 3 son’s with extra needs and my own health issues has caused me to be a task triaging ninja. I prioritise work that has the most impact for my clients. This took a lot of practice as I worked out how I can establish and sustain it.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Just start. You don’t have to have all the answers before you start. Just start. What we do and how we do it, changes. We grow with out businesses.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
I absolutely love the inclusive supportive environment that Ausmumpreneur has created. People are free to be themselves and I love that.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
The connections I made. It was so wonderful to be in a room of incredible women doing wonderful things.
What surprised you most about the awards?
How many incredible business there are! I have never followed so many socials on one night. It was wonderful to hear others stories.
How did the awards help you in your business?
It creates community. It is lovely to have connections with other business owners. We can do things alone, but it isn’t as fun as doing it with a community!
What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?
You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
Building a business by design that works for me and my family.
What’s happening next in your business?
Hire more team! We need to grow to support more people.
What are your big plans for the future?
I would like to hire other ADHD coaches to be able to serve more clients. I dream is for every person with ADHD to feel truly supported on their journey.
