We recently connected with Tara Pratt and have shared our conversation below.
Tara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have spent most of my life having fun. I have always been self-employed and had very little responsibility on my shoulders before I had my son. But becoming the mother was a huge change for me. I struggled a lot more than I expected. Although I loved him with all my heart, I couldn’t work out why I was struggling so much. Parenthood is hard work for everyone but it seemed to be hitting me harder. I pushed forward, trying to spin all the plates and failing until 3 years ago, I stumbled upon an article about adult ADHD in women and it struck a chord immediately. I didn’t even know it was a thing! I had no awareness around the topic and thought it was just a behavioural problem in naughty little boys. My mind was blown with the lack of public awareness of such a life altering disorder.
I applied for assessment and was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD age 34. I was offered medication OR therapy but not both (on the NHS in the UK). I opted for medication as I figured I could probably sort therapy myself but I was shocked at how little support or education I was offered on what Adhd actually is and how it could be affecting my life!
I decided to do my own research. At that time there were very few reliable resources on ADHD behaviours and symptoms in adult women and the few I did find were not very Adhd friendly. They were very boring, wordy and needlessly complicated in their explanations.
I turned to the internet to get my information along with a few good books (my favourite Sari Solden: A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD) As I learned more and more, I decided to share my findings, both researched and lived experience, and become the source of information I needed in those early stages of realisation.
I wanted to create a positive, inspirational but real example of what Adhd looks like and the struggles that can come with along with sharing my journey. I try out different strategies, adapt neurotypical self help techniques to suit the ADHD brain and I try to make it as entertaining and simple as possible. Isn’t that the best way to learn?!
Tara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I worked in entertainment for the majority of my life as an actress, dancer and singer. It was a lot of fun but definitely not as glamorous as everyone imagines.
After discovering my own undiagnosed ADHD and subsequently doing lots of research, I created ADHDFest, to raise awareness and support other women realising they may have symptoms.
I didn’t plan for this to become my career, I could never have predicted it but I am so ecstatically glad now! I get to work from home and have time to be hands on in my children’s lives all whilst creating podcast and social media content. I also run a Membership community using one of the most effective techniques for ADHD Paralysis and Executing Dysfunction issues “The Body Doubling Club” so I can really help people in a practical way.
I love what I do and the feedback from listeners and members lights me up. The feeling is hard to describe, it really is like no other when you hear “I’ve been struggling and your recent episode helped me so much”.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
For sure, the ADHDFest Podcast.
It’s such a great way to speak direct to your audience without all the distractions and hustle and bustle of social media. On Instagram/TikTok your posts are drowning in the newsfeed sea, you’re praying for the algorithm Gods to work in your favour.
When you put out a Podcast, your listeners have searched specifically for the content you are sharing. They’re ready to give it their full attention and it’s a unique way to introduce yourself and build trust on that more personal level. No algorithm, no restrictions, just you sharing exactly what you have to say. I don’t always directly sell during the podcast but I ALWAYS give value, something the listener can use or relate to, in order to make their day or life better. Sometimes that’s just telling a vulnerable story so they know I “get it”. I do however always include links to my membership and products in the episode description and I make sure to tell them towards the end of the episode, to check out the links below.
This has been a great way to build an engaged audience, email list and customer base in a relatively short period.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
As I mostly sell digital files or live webinars, I use my own Shopify website. I have used Etsy in the past but find I prefer a more hands on experience. I find it really user friendly and great at tracking analytics etc.
For The Body Doubling Club Membership I sell through Apple Podcasts and Patreon. Of the two, Patreon is much more business user friendly with more access to customer insights in real time etc but Apple Podcasts has a higher sign up rate due to customers ability to join at 1 click of a button from the platform they are already using. Apple analytics from the business side is not great, I have no access to real time numbers or customer insights. It’s something I would consider changing in the future if I can still keep the experience simple for the customer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adhdfest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdfest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDfest/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@adhdfest1542
- Other: ADHDFest Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/adhdfest/id1654722522 The Body Doubling Membership: https://www.patreon.com/adhdfest Linktr.ee/adhdfest
Image Credits
Malika Jane Photography