What’s the secret to a business that feels good and gets results? A flexible workflow. If traditional productivity hacks and color-coded systems make your brain scream “absolutely not,” this episode is for you. We’re talking about creating systems that actually work with your creative brain—not against it. I’ll walk you through how I built a business that adapts to my energy, honors my workflow, and still delivers a luxury client experience
Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host and resident weirdo. Welcome back to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that actually work for their brains.
In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to create systems that flex with your energy instead of forcing you into a “one-size-fits-none” framework. Spoiler alert: you’re not bad at business—you’ve just been trying to use systems that were never designed for you.
We’ll break down my own flexible process, why it works for neurodivergent creatives, and how you can adapt it to support your workflow and capacity.
Why rigid systems and step-by-step frameworks fail creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs
The real reason you’ve abandoned every planner, template, and productivity hack (spoiler: it’s not a discipline issue)
How to create structure that flexes with your energy, brain, and workflow
Simple strategies to reduce overwhelm—like buffer days, batching, and mixing analog with digital tools
How to stop fighting your natural work rhythm and start designing processes you’ll actually use
✨ Inside Ink to Income, we design luxury-level client experiences for creatives who crave flexibility, not hustle. You’ll learn how to create workflows that serve your clients and support your energy. Join the movement: themainstage.ca/inktoincome
What’s one rule in your business that needs to bend (or break)?
DM me on IG @themainstage.ca or find me in the chaos on Threads.
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