Can playing to your strengths rather than focusing on your challenges help you feel more comfortable with self-promotion?

Sasha Louise Smith, a life coach supporting dog professionals, says embracing what makes you unique can help your business thrive, on your own terms.

Sasha has worked in the dog industry since 2015, as a walker, trainer and dog boarder.

She decided to train as a coach after experiencing burnout and benefiting from a mentor herself, Christina Cass from Epic Dog.

Now an accredited coach, Sasha specialises in supporting neurodivergent clients, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, to help them navigate the challenges they face.

From managing hyperfocus and loss of interest to dealing with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, Sasha shares practical strategies to play to your strengths.

Whether you have an ADHD diagnosis or simply find yourself constantly starting new projects only to abandon them, this chat will help you see your differences can be your superpowers.

Sasha's approach is all about embracing your individuality, creating systems and processes that work for you, and tapping into the support you need to thrive.

In this episode, you'll gain lots of great advice about making life easier and being kinder to yourself as a business owner.

Listen in on the player link below and connect with Sasha on social media on the links at the bottom of this post and let her know your thoughts on this chat.

Key topics and timings in this episode:

1:53 - Sasha's background as a life coach and small business mentor in the dog industry since 2020.

2:31 - Why Sasha set up her own pet business in 2015 and how her rescue work, especially with border collies, developed her practical skills.

4:59 - How finding a mentor in 2018 after a breakdown impacted her business and led her to step away from the training aspect of her dog business.

5:57 - Why Sasha decided to focus on coaching and community support and joined Epic Dog as their community manager.

6:44 - Supporting trainers in the 2020 lockdown and how this shaped her decision to expand her skills and qualifications to help business owners.

11:23 - How Sasha's ADHD diagnosis in 2021 shaped her training experience and inspired her to seek out the right qualifications for her coaching and mentoring.

14:56 - Sasha's advice on how to go about finding the right coach or mentor.

10:25 - Sasha's personal experience of mental health challenges and how she went about gaining a formal ADHD diagnosis.

24:12 - The three different types of ADHD and Sasha's approach to working with neurodivergent clients.

29:57 - Common challenges Sasha's clients face, like starting and losing interest in projects, experiencing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, and feeling overwhelmed.

34:36 - Sasha's perspective on the diverse qualities her clients bring to their businesses and why a neurodivergent diagnosis can be empowering.

37:05 - Sasha's advice on finding the right ways to take care of yourself and your emotional wellbeing, and why it's okay to ask for support, whether through coaching or therapy.

39:24 - Why you don't need a diagnosis to access educational resources if you're relatiing with some of the topics Sasha talks about.

43:06 - Why it's okay to not be firing on all cylinders all the time and how your mental health can impact your capacity.

44:35 - How to connect with Sasha on social media if you'd like to learn more.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Find Sasha on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Coachingbysashalouisesmith

Sign up for Sasha’s newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/coachingbysashalouisesmith/stay-in-touch 

And learn more about her services here: 

https://store.adhduk.co.uk/product/coaching-by-sasha-life-coach-and-mentor

Further listening

Why I trained as an accredited coach and what that means for your pet business

What’s your pet business culture?

Jane Ardern on putting you first in your pet business