Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Adriana Richardson of Charleston, SC

We recently had the chance to connect with Adriana Richardson and have shared our conversation below.

Adriana, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like to wake up before everyone in my household to do a quick morning routine —brush my teeth, throw on clothes, etc. — toss my husband’s and my breakfast in the oven, and then do a 15-25 minute workout and/or stretch. Then I make my tea and start preparing the household for my husband and kids to wake.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Adriana Richardson, founder of The Lazy Millennial, an operations consulting and technical writing company that helps business owners, corporate leaders, and nonprofits build systems that actually support their lifestyles.

My work centers around documenting and streamlining processes so leaders can scale, delegate, or even step away without their operations falling apart. What makes my approach unique is how I combine succession planning, knowledge transfer, and inclusive documentation, things most businesses don’t think about until it’s too late.

I started this work after closing my own agency and realizing that sustainability in business is about building processes that create freedom. Today, I lead clients through my signature frameworks like The 5 Levels of Business Growth to help them scale sustainably and secure their legacy.

Right now, I’m expanding my community efforts through the Lowcountry Operations Network, which brings together local professionals for discussions around leadership, operations, and growth, as well as the Lazy Systems Club, a resource hub and community for leaders who want to simplify and systemize the smart way.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that wanted to stay hidden has served its purpose. As an entrepreneur, I used to show up just enough to be seen but not enough to stand out. I was blending in just enough. I took actions that looked visible from the outside but weren’t always aligned with who I really am or how I lead. I’ve always liked to evolve and experiment, but I held back out of fear of making others uncomfortable or disrupting the norm. Now, I recognize that business growth requires visibility, honesty, and a willingness to be different. I’m learning to lead in full view—authentically, unapologetically, and without shrinking to fit in.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life has been learning to navigate my ADHD diagnosis, which I received in late 2022, right around the time my business started to unravel. In early 2023, I lost two major contracts back-to-back, and everything I thought I was doing “right” in business stopped working. I was overspending because I believed every new investment would fix something, reacting instead of reflecting.

I also struggled with rejection sensitivity and took feedback as personal attacks, not realizing I was overdelivering and doing more than what was needed. This led to procrastination, which was really about not being able to find a starting point that worked for how my brain processes information. Over time, that led to self-doubt and feeling like I wasn’t capable, even though I was doing so much.

Healing came from slowing down and rebuilding intentionally. I started addressing both my ADHD and hormone health, getting regular bloodwork, changing my eating habits, and bringing back movement and hobbies into my routine. Most importantly, I learned how to work with my brain, not against it. That shift gave me the clarity and balance I needed to rebuild not just my business, but my confidence as a leader.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I differentiate between fads and foundational shifts by sticking to the processes I already have in place. If something truly changes how we live and work, like AI, I’ll find a way to integrate it into what I’m already doing. But I don’t chase trends just because they’re popular. My focus is always on sustainability and long-term impact. If a new tool or idea doesn’t align with my existing systems or values, it’s not worth the distraction.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I’m investing in things that build long-term stability, not just short-term wins. That means putting money into the stock market when I can, paying down debt to create more financial freedom, and taking better care of my health so I have the energy and focus to sustain the work I do.

As a business owner, I see these as part of my foundation because if I’m not stable personally, it’s hard to lead or plan for the future. These are choices that may not show an immediate return, but they’re positioning me to build a business and life that last well beyond the next few years.

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