Jorie Houlihan, Founder of Jorie Houlihan
Name: Jorie Houlihan
Founder: Jorie Houlihan
In one sentence, what problem do you solve and for who?
I help empower ADHD professional women by helping them understand how their brains work so they can begin to live up to their full potential with confidence.
What's your story?
Most of my life I felt “lazy,” and “incompetent.” I never seemed to make anything stick, especially in my career. I had talked to a doctor about what I now know was ADHD when I was 18 or 19. He dismissed me out of hand as did all the other doctors I tried to bring it up with over the years. I was usually given some version of “you have too much on your plate" - only I didn’t. After the last attempt I gave up. I figured I just didn’t adult well.
Then COVID hit. All my worlds converged and my overwhelm was worse than ever. TikTok became a big thing and I almost immediately ended up in ADHD TikTok. I started to revisit the idea that maybe this was ADHD after all.
In my mastermind group I jokingly said one day, “sorry I think I have ADHD.” One of the women in the group said, “actually I think you do and I think it's why you struggle so much and I think you're always going to flounder until you get this figured out.” The word “flounder” hit me hard. That's what my whole life felt like. I was just floundering from one career to the next. One new hobby to the next, never finishing any of them. It turns out this woman had ADHD as well. I knew I didn't want to self-diagnose from TikTok videos. I finally got assessed. Diagnosis at the age of 49: ADHD - combined presentation.
After my diagnosis I found out quickly my resources were slim to none. Everything was geared towards adolescent boys, not middle-aged women. It was even worse now because it was COVID. I had to piece everything together myself. I knew then what I was going to be doing with my life. Coaching and educating women on ADHD and helping them understand themselves, and their brains, has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. When women say to me, "It's so nice to talk so openly about this and not feel judged" I know I'm doing something good in the world. My hope is to empower as many ADHD women as I can to live up to their full potential with confidence.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
It means being a part of a community who get it. Who understands what it is like to be a middle-aged woman running a business and a family. Who support, encourage and empower each other. I want to be that supportive, encouraging, empowering women to them as well.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
When I hear about a new company I always check to see if it is woman and/or minority owned. If it is and I like their product, service, etc. I try to make them my default go-to. I also recommend women business owners I know in FB mom/community groups. I interview some of them for my membership and will be doing that for my new podcast. I like giving air-time to women who are putting good things out into the world.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
Dear FoundHer, Good Content, Networth & Chill with Your RichBFF
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
Mel Robbins. She has been where I have been - undiagnosed ADHD, debt, depression and has pulled herself out to do amazing things to help others.
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
Gigi Verrey and Nikki Evans. I am in a mastermind with these two women. They knew me before my diagnosis. They have encouraged me every step of the way. I can talk to them about where I am struggling in my business and they help me sort it out. They are also not afraid to dish out tough love when I need it.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I handle all of it. My biggest challenge is consistency. When I am on top of it I put out great content (at least I think so - ha!). It's when I am doing too many things at once that my consistency drops off.
How did you land your first client?
I was at a networking event at my friend's house. Everyone went around the room introducing themselves. When I said what I did a women literally yelped! She then said, "I need you!" We got on a call a couple days later. We talked about her life-long struggles with ADHD, what she wanted from coaching and what she was afraid of. I think it was my "no-shaming" policy that sealed the deal. That was 3 years ago. She is still working with me to this day.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I don't pay attention to the industry standards. I do things the way that work for me and my clients. I know what the standards are per se but I've always done things my way and it's worked for me.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
Join a mastermind with other women business owners.
Be ok with failing. It happens - for some of us more than others - lol
Learn as much as you can from other business owners. If they are willing to share their knowledge take them up on it!
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