I was watching this documentary about the drug trade on Netflix and I was genuinely impressed by how organized these operations are
Everyone knows exactly what they're supposed to be doing at any point in time; The delivery of product is airtight. The backup plans have backup plans. AND the person running the whole thing doesn't have to lift a finger because they've delegated everything
And I'm sitting there like… why do cartel operations run smoother than most solopreneur businesses? 😭
So naturally, my brain did what it does — I turned it into a framework
the cartel framework for neurodivergent business systems
What if you could take a page (or 5) out of the cartel's book — without the illegal stuff — as a neurodivergent or chronically ill entrepreneur?
Here's what every part of a cartel operation can teach you about building business systems that run smoothly and sustainably
the boss = your energy + values
Without these, your entire operation is directionless. Your energy evaporates and the whole thing collapses
And I know this sounds like some "put your oxygen mask on first" type advice but I mean it literally. Before you set up a single tool or workflow, sit with what your energy actually looks like on a daily basis
Not your ideal day — your real day. The one where you woke up tired and your brain is already overwhelmed by 10am
If you skip this part, every system you build will eventually fail — because it wasn't built for the person actually using it
the lieutenants = your clear priorities
These are the priorities you lean on whether you have 1 spoon or 85, so you're not juggling 100 "urgent" things everyday
I'm talking about the 2-3 things that actually move your business forward regardless of what kind of day you're having. Not your entire to-do list. Not the 52 things you saved on Instagram
The things that if you did ONLY those today, you'd still be okay
distribution network = your low-effort, high-impact routines
These are the routines that keep stuff moving without decision fatigue
You know how business coaches talk about doing stuff that "moves the needle"? Yeah, this is that — but built for a brain that can't always show up at 100% (or even 50% sometimes)
Like batching your content on a day when your brain is ON, having a weekly check-in with yourself, or a simple end-of-day shutdown ritual so your brain can actually stop working
Small, repeatable stuff that doesn't require you to make a bunch of decisions every single time you sit down to work
stash house = your externalized memory
This is where you literally stash stuff to access later. Your Notion workspace, your project management tool, your sticky notes and paper planners — whatever works for your brain!
You know that thing where you KNOW you had a great idea but you can't remember where you put it? Or you spent 20 minutes looking for a link you saved somewhere? Your stash house fixes that
Get it out of your head and into somewhere you can actually find it later. Your executive function will thank you on the bad days
money laundering = your templates, automations, and batching systems
These are the systems that help your distribution network do its thing
Templates so you're not starting from scratch every time. Automations that handle the repetitive stuff. Batching so you can knock things out when you have the energy instead of spreading yourself thin all week
They don't need to be fancy – I promise you a simple email template or a reusable checklist counts. The bar is literally just "does this mean I have to make fewer decisions today?" If yes, it's money laundering
Congrats, you're in the cartel now 😂
drug runners = your support system
These are the people and tools that support the whole operation — business besties, your IRL support system, reminders, time blocking, accountability partners
Cos the reality is that you can have the best systems in the world and still have a terrible week
That’s not because your systems have failed – you’re just a consciousness with a body that has opinions
Your drug runners are the safety net that catches you so your business doesn't take a nosedive every time you need a day (or 5) off
counter-surveillance = your grace periods and buffers
These are built-in buffers so that life can happen and your clients still get taken care of without you burning out
Longer deadlines than you technically need. Buffer time between client calls. Contingency plans for flare-up days
This is the part most people skip because it feels like "wasted" time. But it's the part that saves your entire operation when life decides to life. And it WILL life
Ask me how I know 🙃
every part of the system exists to protect the boss
And the boss is YOU. Your energy
Every cog in this machine exists to prevent burnout, keep things moving, and make sure you can keep making money without sacrificing your health or (more of) your sanity
It works for the cartels because every role has a purpose and every person knows their job. Your business systems should work the same way — every tool, every routine, every support system has a specific role in protecting your capacity
what's missing from your operation?
Take a look at the framework above and ask yourself: which parts of your business are you missing, and why?
Maybe you've got the stash house (your Notion space is immaculate!) but no distribution network (you're making every decision from scratch every day)
Maybe you've got the drug runners (great support system!) but no counter-surveillance (zero buffers, so one bad week throws everything off)
Most neurodivergent and chronically ill entrepreneurs aren't missing everything — they're missing the connective tissue between the parts they already have
If you're not sure where the gaps are, book an Ask the Oracle session and we can map it out together. Or if you already know your systems need a full strategic overhaul, check out fCGO — my 6-month strategic partnership where we build this stuff together over time 🫶🏾
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