ADHD Entrepreneur: Should I Increase My Prices?
If you’ve been staring at your bank account or your pricing page wondering if you should charge more, you’re not alone. This question comes up constantly with my ADHD entrepreneur clients, especially when they’re caught between wanting to make more money and feeling guilty about raising prices. If you’re feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place with this, you’re in the right place. 😊
I’ll break it down in a way that actually makes sense for your brain and get you thinking about what could be holding you back from increasing your prices. We’ll cover what signs to look for to know it’s time, how to handle the guilt spiral, and the ADHD-friendly steps to take before you bump up your rates. We’ll also get into charging hourly vs a flat fee, and why in most cases I want you to avoid charging hourly.
And if by the end you’re still second-guessing yourself (because hello, ADHD paralysis), this is something I love to help my clients with. When you partner increasing your prices with getting clarity on your business and personal finances, good things happen! When you’re ready to get clarity with your money, you can book a free consultation with me to talk through your challenges, and see how one-on-one financial coaching can help you get unstuck.
Why DOES Raising Prices Feels So Damn Hard When You Have ADHD?
ADHD and money are a complicated mix. Add to it that many of us tie our worth to what we produce or the number of new clients we are brining in, and not the value we provide and you’ve got a recipe for avoidance! That’s why charging more can feel like we’re asking for too much, even when we know logically that our work is worth it.
There’s also the dopamine factor. Keeping prices low often feels “safer” because it reduces the anxiety of rejection. But here’s the truth: staying underpriced keeps you overworked and underpaid, AND limits the result your clients will get (I know it doesn’t make sense, but I’ve seen it happen).
If you’ve ever thought:
“I don’t want to scare off clients.”
“I wouldn’t pay that much myself.”
“Who am I to charge more?”
That’s not logic talking. That’s fear. And fear doesn’t pay the bills. And a key factor to keep in mind is that we are most often NOT our ideal client, so our judgement on pricing can be skewed!
If this sounds familiar, you might like this blog all about Books to Kickstart Your Mindset and Focus
5 Signs It Might Be Time to Raise Your Prices
1. You’re booked solid but still broke
If you’re at over your capacity, but your bank account doesn’t reflect that, because your prices aren’t aligned with your workload. You shouldn’t need to run yourself into burnout just to make ends meet.
Action step: Calculate how many hours you work per week, including admin time, and divide your income by that number. If you wouldn’t accept that hourly rate from a boss, it’s time to raise your prices.
Or, even better, crunch your numbers to see how much you need to pay yourself each month and then keep crunching to understand the business income you need to pay yourself, cover your business expenses, and save for taxes. Then use these numbers to adjust your pricing.
2. You’ve improved your skills or results
If you’ve had your business for 6 + months, there is no way you haven’t levelled up since setting your original prices. Maybe your clients are getting better results, your systems are smoother, or your time management has improved. Your prices should reflect your growth.
Action step: Write a list of wins or transformations your clients have achieved with your help. That’s your value, and your next-level pricing should match it.
3. You feel resentment creeping in
If you start feeling frustrated every time an existing client messages you, that’s your brain’s way of saying your energy output doesn’t match your compensation. Resentment is a pricing problem, not a personality flaw. BUT, if it’s a new client it could be a mismatch of personalities or expectations, which price increases also tend to help you avoid!
Action step: Ask yourself, “What would make this feel fair?” That number is probably your new price point.
4. You’ve been comparing yourself to others
If you find yourself looking at what others charge and thinking, “They’re not even as good as me,” congratulations, your subconscious is already telling you it’s time to raise your rates.
5. You’ve been charging the same for more than a year
Inflation is real, and your expenses have likely gone up. If your prices haven’t changed, your profit has actually decreased. You deserve to keep up with the cost of living just like everyone else.
How to Raise Prices Without Freaking Out
You’re convinced it’s time, so let’s talk ADHD-friendly price increase strategy!
1. Start small
You don’t need to double your prices overnight. Even a 10 to 20 percent increase makes a difference. You can always adjust again later. My recommendation is that the new pricing feels like a bit of a stretch, but no so uncomfortable that you don’t believe in it.
2. Give notice to existing clients
If you’re raising prices for current clients, give them a heads-up. Start with something simple like:
“Starting next on January 1st, my rates will be increasing to better reflect the time and value I provide. I appreciate your support and want you to know how much I value working with you.”
Most clients will stay. And if some don’t? That’s okay. You’ll have more time and energy for the ones who do, and who clearly see your value!
3. Anchor your new price to the results you deliver
Instead of saying, “I’m charging more,” give a little details about the impact you’re having on your clients, and you could also share a little bit about your costs going up as well if it’s relevant.
4. Prepare for your ADHD brain’s panic
You’ll likely second-guess yourself after announcing your new prices. That’s normal. Write down why you raised them in the first place and keep that note visible for a week or two. Your future self will thank you.
5. Get outside support
Sometimes you just need someone to help walk you through the numbers, support you with creating a pricing plan, and keep your mindset in check. If that’s what you need, financial coaching with me may be just what you need. The first steps is to book a free consultation with me. We’ll talk through your goals and figure out what pricing structure actually works for your business and brain.
The ADHD Twist: Why Your Brain Makes Pricing Emotional
Pricing isn’t just math, it’s emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity, and dopamine management all rolled into one.
If your brain jumps between “I should charge more” and “I’ll lose everyone if I do,” that’s emotional dysregulation talking. ADHDers often experience rejection sensitivity dysphoria, which means the fear of disappointing someone can feel physically painful. If you’re feeling it, this podcast episode can help!
Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Should Avoid Charging Hourly
This one could be it’s own blog post (and probably will one day) because there are a lot of factors that go against our ADHD brain that are connected to hourly pricing. I’ll do my best to sum them up here:
Hourly pricing means tracking our hours which we know is a challenge.
Our creative brains can help us be more efficient at things, especially when we’ve been doing something for a while: increase efficiency + hourly rates = pay cut when we get better at something.
Potential clients tend to connect an hourly rate with their hourly rates, this can be especially true for employees who don’t understand the true time and financial commitment of running a business.
When to Reevaluate Your Prices
Once you’ve adjusted your rates, don’t just set them and forget them. Schedule a pricing and money check-in every six months. Ask yourself:
Am I still being compensated fairly for my energy and time?
Has my business grown or changed?
Are my clients getting bigger or faster results?
If the answer is yes, your prices might need another adjustment.
Action step: Add a reminder to your calendar for six months from now to review your pricing. Future you will thank you.
Parting thoughts:
If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to raise your prices, it probably is. Your time, energy, and expertise have value, and you deserve to be compensated in a way that supports your goals, not just your survival.
You can also connect with me on Instagram, or hang out with me on TikTok for more ADHD-friendly money tips.
