Former Dragons' Den star Sara Davies has opened up about receiving an ADHD diagnosis on her podcast, Mind Your Business, after undergoing a series of neuropsychological exams. The entrepreneur, who left the BBC series last year, shared the news in a vulnerable Instagram post on 7th July, explaining that she wanted to understand how her brain works and why it matters.
Diagnosis and Neuropsychological Exams
Davies, who founded Crafter's Companion in 2005, revealed that she had noticed people commenting 'that'll be your ADHD' for some time but didn't fully understand the condition. In typical 'Sara style', she didn't just take a simple test but opted for an intensive set of neuropsychological exams to gain a detailed understanding of her brain function.
She shared on Instagram: 'I got my results this week, and was trying my best to explain it to @hels_dco on the POD. The whole fifty ideas running at once, brilliant at starting something, and then structure becomes the thing that nearly finishes you off. And how I think there's a huge connection between this and entrepreneurial brilliance!'
Impact on Business and Leadership
On her podcast, co-hosted with her sister Helen Goddard, Davies described the diagnosis as a 'mic drop moment'. She emphasised that understanding her brain's wiring allows her to put a proper self-care support system in place, benefiting both herself and her business. 'Most of the stuff that you have will have a neurotypical brain, and you need to understand, as a leader in that business, how their brain works differently to yours,' she said.
Davies noted that within hours of the episode going live, half a dozen other entrepreneurs had messaged her saying they were on the same journey, validating her decision to speak openly. She promised to keep her audience updated as she learns what the diagnosis means for running a business and leading people whose brains work differently.
ADHD Symptoms and Context
According to the NHS website, ADHD is a condition where the brain works differently to most people, involving symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Most people with ADHD have symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.
Davies, who invested in Adam Ramsay-Peaty's global swimming brand AP Race in 2025, continues to run Crafter's Companion, a global retail business specialising in craft tools that she started in her university bedroom.
