Discovering Success and Creativity: Mickie Kennedy’s Journey with ADHD and eReleases

Welcome back to another enriching episode of the ADHD Goals podcast. This time, we had the pleasure of hosting Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, a pioneering company he established over 25 years ago to empower small businesses, startups, and authors through effective media coverage. With a captivating blend of entrepreneurial spirit, personal insight into ADHD, and creative talent, Mickie’s story is both motivating and instructive.

Mickie Kennedy Interview

From Inspiration to eReleases

Mickie Kennedy embarked on his entrepreneurial journey after working at a startup, where he developed an intense interest in press releases. His task of sending out press releases initially met with little success, but instead of feeling defeated, Mickie dedicated himself to mastering the craft. His relentless pursuit led to significant media recognition for his company’s press releases, reaching giants like the Financial Times, The Economist, and The Washington Post.

Recognizing a gap in affordable PR services, Mickie established eReleases to help small businesses navigate the world of press and media. By acting as a cooperative and leveraging bulk purchasing, eReleases offers substantial savings on press release distribution via PR Newswire. This innovative approach allows smaller enterprises to gain the same media exposure as their larger counterparts.

Embracing ADHD as a Superpower

A pivotal aspect of Mickie’s narrative is his experience with ADHD. Diagnosed after suspecting he had the condition for years, Mickie shared insightful anecdotes about how ADHD shaped his professional and personal life. Notably, he mentioned how caffeine—which typically stimulates—had a calming effect on him, confirming part of his ADHD diagnosis.

Mickie’s entrepreneurial journey illustrates the unique strengths individuals with ADHD often bring to the table. He noted that people with ADHD tend to have deeply focused interests and can excel in those areas by delegating less exciting tasks. Learning to hire the right people and trusting them with responsibilities allowed Mickie to hone his core skills and foster business growth.

Overcoming the Challenges of Delegation

Delegation, while critical, posed its own set of challenges for Mickie. With a natural tendency towards micromanagement, Mickie faced high employee turnover. A turning point occurred when a professional assessment revealed that his exacting management style was the culprit. Rather than resist the feedback, Mickie made the radical decision to step away from day-to-day operations, focusing instead on strategy and marketing from a remote location. This move dramatically improved team morale and retention.

Ethical Considerations in Press Releases

Mickie also addressed changes in the PR landscape, such as the rise of paid placements on reputable sites like USA Today and Forbes. He expressed caution about these practices, emphasising the ethical implications and the superiority of earned media through authentic journalistic interest.

eReleases remains committed to genuine media outreach. Mickie advocates for strategic PR campaigns, offering a free masterclass to guide clients through effective press release writing and distribution. By following proven patterns and methodologies, even small businesses can achieve significant media pickup.

Creativity and Fulfilment through Poetry

Outside the business realm, Mickie finds personal fulfilment in poetry. After a long hiatus, he returned to writing, balancing his professional life with creative expression. His disciplined approach to poetry—focused on editing and refining his work—has earned him recognition in esteemed literary circles, including Poetry Magazine.

Through his poetry group, Mickie enjoys the camaraderie of fellow writers and the structured critique environment, which has propelled his creative growth. His personal website, mickiekennedy.com, showcases some of his evocative works.

Conclusion

Mickie Kennedy’s story is a testament to the power of embracing one’s unique strengths and challenges. From founding a successful company to nurturing creative talents, Mickie exemplifies how individuals with ADHD can achieve remarkable success by leveraging their innate abilities and building supportive environments.

For those interested in learning more about press releases or exploring Mickie’s poetry, you can visit eReleases at eReleases.com and his personal site at mickiekennedy.com. You can also benefit from his free video masterclass, available at eReleases.com/plan, to start crafting your own impactful PR campaigns.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the ADHD Goals podcast. Remember to subscribe and share our podcast with others who could benefit from these inspiring stories. If you have any questions or need coaching for ADHD, feel free to reach out at [email protected]. Until next time, take care and stay inspired!

Links

eReleases: https://www.ereleases.com/

Poetry: https://mickiekennedy.com/