You can connect with Sharon via the Mums & Co Member platform, website and LinkedIn. Also on Facebook and Instagram.

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Tell us about you

Sharon is an award-winning, credentialed, families trained ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert and founder of The Functional Family, who specialises in providing life-changing support and strategies for people with ADHD (and those that support them).

Describe your biz in a sentence

Life changing practical strategies and support for families with ADHD.

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Link to your podcast:
The Functional Family Podcast

Tell us how your business came to be:
"Sharon lives in Sydney with her husband and 3 boys, who all have ADHD (throw in some Tourette’s, OCD, SPD, and ODD in there too). Her home runs at such intensity — it needs to be filmed for a documentary series. At a complete loss of how she was supposed to have a ‘Functional Family’ she began researching ADHD to try and learn more about ways to work with the ADHD brain and create a more joyful, streamlined home environment. What followed was a series of spectacular failures, weird experiments, and then formal study of ADHD. Through it all, the Collon family found a way to make their life with ADHD work for them. Now Sharon helps others do the same. The Functional Family has supported over 35,000 families with ADHD. Whether it be through Adult ADHD Coaching, Parent Mentoring, the ADHD Families Membership, the ADHD Family Foundations Program, or the ADHD Families Podcast, she provides a safe place for people with ADHD to learn about their brain and create strategies that work for them."

What has been one of your best business calls/decisions to date?

‍Creating a heart-centered business and also starting a podcast!

If you could re-do/change something about your biz - what would it be?:

I would establish my business with better life/work boundaries from the start and invest more in the right team.

What does your typical day look like?:

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Get the kids off to school and start work, creating new content, coaching, and presenting workshops.

Describe a time when you took a risk - how did it work out for you?

‍I had a crippling fear of public speaking. It snuck in over the years, and it was holding my business back as I turned down opportunities. Last year, I took a risk and booked a 40 min keynote speech. I had 8 months to get past my fear. I practiced and attended public speaking classes every fortnight. I am proud to say the keynote went well, and I can now approach public speaking with a lot less fear.

Your daily motto?:

You never know what someone else is going through, be kind.

What is something about running your business that you wish you had been told sooner?:

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To charge your worth. For years I struggled financially because I believed in what I do and wanted to help everyone, so I undercharged. All this did was burn me out and make my business unsustainable. Over the years, I have learnt that you need to get pricing right because business is a long game, and I can't help anyone if I am closed.

How do you maintain your motivation?:

Motivation for me is easy, my clients are wonderful. I adore all the families I work with. Having said that some of the aspects of running my business like finances and social media are a bit of a push for me. I play to my strengths and outsource what I am not good at as soon as I can.

What's one thing you know that will benefit our audience? Let them know.:

Don't beat yourself up about failing. You win or you learn. I strike out all the time and I have learnt to get back up pretty quickly. Resilience is a great trait to have in business.

What are your favourite business tools and why?:

Kajabi, I run all my business via Kajabi. It keeps everything together and is my number 1 platform.

What is one facet of your field that you would like to see changed?:

We have been fed a lie about multitasking and it is a clear path to exhaustion. Single tasking and outsourcing as soon as possible is my key approach. You can do anything but not everything.

What's your approach on the juggle (work-life balance)? How do you manage it all?:

I think it needs to be filmed for a documentary series. It is very intense, loving, funny and a bit wild.

How would you describe your family life? How do they support or influence your work?:

Tenacity. Raising 3 boys with extra needs isn't easy and everyday I show up. It doesn't always look pretty but we get there. When I first started my business I wanted everything to be perfect, but over the years I have learnt that done is better than perfect (who cares if a blog goes out with a few typos - just write the dam blog!). Just keep going.

How would we find you spending your weekends? What activities do you enjoy outside of work and family responsibilities?:

Walking near Cronulla beach listening to a podcast, green juice or coffee in hand. Talking like a mad woman to every boxer dog I meet on the walk.

What's your approach to dealing with the pressures of running your business? Any tips for managing stress and maintaining mental health?:

Sometimes I get paralysed by pressure. It all gets a bit too much. I have learnt that if I put my headphones in and go for a walk around the block I often get a better perspective, and it brings the intensity down a notch.

What mantra do you live by and why is it meaningful to you? Any quotes or sayings that inspire you daily?:
You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems - James Clear

What's the last book you read that you'd recommend to a friend?:

The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett

‍What's the best part of being part of the Mums Co community?:

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I loved the conference! What a wonderful event!

How has Mums Co helped you?:

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I love the community of wonderful women doing incredible things.

Are there any areas you're seeking help for in your business?:

Supporting ADHD in your family

Who are the mumbitous business owners you would like to shout out to here?:

Kate Christie - loved her book!

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