Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bree Mills. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bree, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
Ah, my very first client—talk about a full-circle moment! I had just made the transition to begin offering business mentorship services and began talking about it on Instagram, where I do almost all of my marketing. I was posting my usual mix of entertainment, education, and relatable content and began mixing in some content that was more specifically focused toward entrepreneurs with ADHD who were struggling with content marketing on Instagram. One day, I get a DM. This amazing ADHD coach who was struggling with content strategy and planning and wanted to kick her business into a growth phase She said she’d been watching my Reels and reading my posts for a few weeks and connected with my story and saw a lot of herself in my personality and felt like she knew me. She loved how I wasn’t just parroting generic business advice and strategies but was talking directly to ADHD entrepreneurs like her, focusing strongly on Radical Authenticity in entrepreneurship and combining it with strategies that were accessible to people whose brains work a little different than the neurotypical crowd.
She told me she’d tried so many strategies that didn’t work because they were built for neurotypical brains and those strategies just aren’t designed for people who work like we do. It became overwhelming after day one and impossible to stick with a plan that forced her to work against her brain instead of with it. What really drew her in was the fact that I talked openly about being neurodivergent myself and how I’d built frameworks and strategies myself that allowed flexibility and emphasized a strength-based approach to planning and executing a content strategy. She was exhausted with other coaches and mentors who tried to mold her into something she wasn’t, and told her she “HAD TO DO IT THIS WAY, OR ELSE IT WOULDN’T WORK.” That’s far too rigid of a mindset for a neurodivergent brain that craves novelty and flexibility and creativity.
After a couple of DMs back and forth, we hopped on a call, where I broke down some of my ADHD-friendly strategies that fit her work style, and before the end of the call she goes “Okay, so how do I pay and get started??”. I think for her, finding someone who was laid black, flexible, and who genuinely understood HOW her brain worked, but also had tools that actually worked to help her reach her goals was a game-changer.
It was a huge win for both of us—and a reminder of just how important it is to show up as your true self online. That’s the beauty of Instagram content marketing when it’s done right: you don’t just attract clients; you attract your dream clients who hire you because you bring something unique to the space that no one else can- because no one else is YOU.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Bree, a wild and squirrelly ADHD business mentor.I help neurodivergent entrepreneurs and influencers build a radically authentic personal brand that’s unapologetically THEM. I like to say my business is all about helping neurodivergent entrepreneurs ditch the masks, lean into their quirks, and thrive in a world that wasn’t exactly built for brains like ours.
Like many ADHDers, I’ve dabbled in a little bit of everything. Before coaching, I was a self-employed photographer for over a decade (still dabble in that), I was a marketing director, I was an advocate and director of family services for a tribal government, I was an executive assistant to founders at a Mark Cuban startup, just to name a few.
I found myself dreaming of something bigger, more flexible, and that gave me control over my time and income. I had just moved across the country from Alaska to Virginia and found myself in an extreme state of burnout, which ultimately required me to seek medical help and that led to my ADHD diagnosis at 37 years old. My doctor told me I was “off the charts” for ADHD and couldn’t believe it was missed my entire life.
Suddenly the struggles I’d faced my whole life and my unique way or working and thinking made sense. I had to make a choice between going back to a lifestyle and a career path that had left me burnt out and hiding so many things about myself, or to create my own path. Thank goodness that neurodivergent hyperfixation kicked in and I became obsessed with creating a business that allowed me to blend my creative flair with strategies that actually worked for people like me—people who aren’t about the “hustle harder” culture, who tend to get overwhelmed easily, but still have BIG dreams and are capable of brilliant things. After spending years trying to fit into traditional molds, I realized I could create a business that catered to ADHD and neurodivergent brains instead of fighting against them. And that’s how I jumped into this world of mentorship and content marketing!
So, what do I do exactly? I help ADHD entrepreneurs and visionaries build businesses and personal brands that stand out online, especially on social media. My big focus is Instagram content strategy—how to plan and create content that stops the scroll and gets you noticed without burning yourself out posting every 5 minutes and praying to the algorithm to show your content to your target audience. I offer everything from one-on-one mentorship, to group mentorship, to Instagram audits and content strategy sessions. I run an online platform where my curriculum, resources, and tools are available to my students and group members 24/7 on demand so they can access what they need, WHEN their brain is ready to do it. If they have questions when I’m asleep or signed off, they can ask in our group chats on platform so they don’t have to risk forgetting to connect at a later time or so they’re not responsible for waiting on me, then booking and remembering another appointment.
Another huge element of my work is helping clients overcome imposter syndrome, unmask in their business content to find their most authentic brand voice, embrace their uniquely wired brains with all it’s strengths and challenges, and build a business that feels insanely fulfilling to run. I love that my work allows me to address both the technical pieces of marketing and business building, AND the mindset/emotional piece of the complex business puzzle.
I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to try all the mainstream marketing strategies only to hit a wall because they weren’t designed for people like us. My clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed by trying to run a business (usually alone) and they’re trying to learn dozens of skills on the fly while still battling with their own A(u)DHD symptoms. I come in and guide them down the path of prioritizing and creating sustainable, authentic strategies that attract their dream clients without losing their minds in the process.
What sets me apart is the fact that I’m not just teaching cookie-cutter business tactics—I’m teaching you how to build a business as your unmasked, authentic self. I’m a strategist, yes, but I’m also deeply invested in your growth as a human. I’ve built my entire business on the idea that you don’t have to change who you are to be successful. In fact, your quirks, your ADHD, your neurodivergence—those can absolutely be leveraged as strengths. And I’m here to help you wield those strengths in a way that grows your business and makes your life more fulfilling.
I’m most proud of the community I’ve built. I’ve created a space where neurodivergent entrepreneurs can feel seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are. Watching my clients shed their fears of “not being enough” and lean into their authenticity is probably the most rewarding part of this whole journey. Seeing them land their first clients, hit their first 10k followers, craft their first viral Reel, or hit a major milestone because they finally embraced their true selves? That’s what makes me excited to log in everyday.
I want every one of my clients to know it’s a beautiful thing to show up as yourself—unmasked, unstoppable, and ready to take on the world in a way that feels aligned and true to YOU.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
For a long time, I thought I had to fit into this neat, polished box to be taken seriously in online business. You know the drill—projecting that “perfect” image, always appearing hyper-professional, never letting anyone see the messy side of stumbling over my words, or losing my train of thought mid-sentence. I was convinced that vulnerability, showing my real struggles, or embracing my goofy, (sometimes dark or inappropriate) humor would scare people away. I thought clients wanted the perfectly put-together version of me, it’s what I’d always known and had already lost so many years of my life trying to do that in the corporate world. I once had a boss tell me “I’d never get anywhere in life with a personality like mine.” Yikes, right?
Not only was that exhausting, it wasn’t me and I was tired of masking myself to convey to the world I had my act together. In trying so hard to fit into this traditional idea of “professional,” I was hiding the very parts of myself that made me unique, relatable, and—ultimately—successful. When I started showing up as my true self—wild, inappropriate ADHD brain and all—people started showing up. The more I let people see the raw, unfiltered version of me, the more I attracted clients who resonated with me as a person, not some overly curated version of who I thought I should be.
I started to unlearn the belief that vulnerability was a weakness. In fact, it’s the opposite. Clients connect with me because I’m real about the challenges of entrepreneurship and neurodivergence. I’m open about the days when my brain feels like a pinball machine and my to-do list feels overwhelming. I’m not afraid to let people see me cry- it’s real, it’s normal, and it’s all part of the journey. That honesty and humanity has been my greatest strength. It’s what sets me apart. My clients don’t come to me because I fit some ideal of “professionalism.” They come to me because I don’t.
What I’ve learned is that being yourself—unfiltered, unapologetic, and imperfect—isn’t just refreshing; it’s powerful. Every client who works with me does so because they see something in me that resonates with their own experience. And I truly believe that’s the key for anyone: your individuality is what makes you stand out. You’re not meant to be liked or embraced by everyone, and that’s the point. The people who do connect with you are the ones who will become your most loyal clients and followers, because they’re drawn to the real you, not some version you’ve edited for the world.
Once I embraced this, my entire business transformed. I stopped trying to appeal to everyone, and I started speaking directly to my people—the ones who value authenticity and appreciate that I don’t hide my struggles. The ones who don’t like it can move along. You don’t have to change yourself to be successful; in fact, the more you lean into who you are, the more success will follow.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
For me, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has 100% been Instagram, specifically through a well-thought-out content strategy that includes a heavy focus on Reels. Instagram is where I’ve built my entire community, and it’s also where my clients have found me. What’s been key is not just posting for the sake of posting, but crafting content that speaks directly to my ideal audience—neurodivergent entrepreneurs looking for authenticity and real strategies that work for them.
Reels, in particular, have been a game-changer. When used strategically, they’re an incredibly powerful tool to increase both exposure and engagement quickly. The way Instagram pushes Reels to a wider audience means that with the right content—whether it’s educational, entertaining, or a mix of both—you can reach people far beyond your immediate followers. It’s allowed me to consistently grow my audience, but more importantly, it’s attracted the right people. Those who resonate with my personality and my message.
The trick isn’t just going viral; it’s about building trust through consistency and authenticity. I create Reels that not only showcase my personality but also provide real value—whether it’s ADHD-friendly business tips or sharing my own experiences as a neurodivergent entrepreneur. And because I’m speaking directly to my ideal clients’ pain points, it draws in people who need exactly what I offer.
Instagram has this unique ability to give people a front-row seat to who you are and what you do. And when you use that to your advantage—especially with the power of Reels—you’re able to grow your audience in an organic way while also building trust and authority in your niche. That’s been the core of my strategy, and it’s been the most effective way for me to consistently find clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://readysetsquirrel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readysetsquirrel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readysetsquirrel/
- Other: My online platform that anyone can join for Free on Mighty Networks: https://hub.readysetsquirrel.com/
Image Credits
none they’re all mine =)