Nikki Butler | About
Let's embark on this journey together.
Meet Nikki Butler, an ex-Management team leader in the legal world, turned award-winning entrepreneur, on a mission to enable other autistic & ADHD females & entrepreneurs to create a life, without apology – one that empowers, rather than disempowers and energises rather than destroys them.Â
Nikki, who has been driven by her life experiences, and her reflections after a late diagnosis, is determined to eradicate outdated stereotypes of what autism & ADHD ‘look’ like for females, to stop others from feeling as alone and desperate as she did.
She is on a mission to inspire and enable other autistic & ADHD female entrepreneurs to redefine success on their terms, where they can proudly and boldly stand out, and let go of the desire to fit into a world that wasn’t designed for them. Nikki believes that your extraordinary talents and skills, as a neurodiverse woman, deserve to be shared with the world! You are different, not less.Â
Early Life and Personal Journey
Nikki’s early life was marked by a sense of not quite fitting in, a narrative that persisted in her adulthood. A successful medical tattoo artist and scar specialist, she served her clients with exceptional dedication, earning her multiple customer service and industry awards, and an outwardly successful business, by societal definitions of success.
However, beneath her professional accomplishments hid a constant battle with anxiety and feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and loneliness. She was crippled with the belief that she wasn’t good enough and that she was “rubbish at adulting”. She lived in constant fear that others would see her failings and became a prolific people pleaser and perfectionist, to try and fit in and to protect herself from her perceived shortcomings being discovered. She spent her life feeling ashamed, exhausted, and overwhelmed.Â
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Her life took a dramatic turn with the onset of the pandemic. Isolation, business closure, and financial uncertainty plunged Nikki into despair. It was a period of introspection, struggle, and eventually, growth. The book “The Obstacle is The Way” by Ryan Holiday, appearing almost serendipitously, became a beacon of hope, inspiring Nikki to use the pandemic as a catalyst for change. She creatively reinvented her business, making scars and skin her primary focus, and stepping into the world of high-end anti-ageing treatments. It was incredible what she accomplished when she didn’t have access to business coaches and mentors, telling her what she ‘should’ be doing. For the first time, Nikki was able to tap into her intuition and incredible creative brain.Â
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Reinventing herself wasn’t the only major shift in her life; Nikki also faced a significant health challenge. She underwent a major spinal surgery, which, while successful, resulted in permanent nerve damage. It required her to cut down her long clinic hours, further pushing her to reassess her priorities. With her newfound knowledge from the pandemic, she knew that she could pivot and adapt again.Â
The Diagnosis and Transformation
In the midst of these personal and professional upheavals, Nikki received her diagnosis of autism and ADHD. This revelation was initially daunting, but it also provided an explanation for her life-long struggles. Several years of being immersed in corporate hierarchy, rules, politics and judgement eventually brought on insomnia and panic attacks which turned to suicidal thoughts, which she recognised as needing her to take action. Two months later, she resigned and what followed was what she now realises was an autistic burnout, at the age of 36.Â
I could barely function. I felt low, lost and broken. Everyone kept telling me to get back to work and find another job, but I could barely make it through a day without crying.
It became an opportunity for self-understanding and acceptance. After her diagnosis, Nikki embarked on a path of personal transformation. She recognised the emotional toll of absorbing her clients’ stories and learned the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. She turned once more to the solace of books, finding wisdom in “The Firestarter Sessions” by Danielle La Porte, and “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, helping her to deeply connect with her values and dreams.
The Autistic Joyologist
Today, Nikki is The Autistic Joyologist, a mentor and advocate who uses her life experiences and wisdom to guide high-achieving neurodivergent women on their journey, to create lives where they can thrive in all areas, and redefine success on their terms. Drawing on her experience of living on the edge of society, Nikki is determined to break stereotypes and dispel the notion of conformity. She helps her clients shine as they are, encouraging them to live authentically and unapologetically.Â
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Through her RADIATE model, Nikki inspires and enables radical self-discovery and transformation. She is passionate about enabling her clients to connect to their core values and dreams, teaching them to advocate for themselves and express their true selves. She inspires them to start standing out and stop trying to fit in. To showcase their extraordinary talents and skills. to redefine the narrative around what autism and ADHD ‘look’ like, and to become inspiring role models for this, and future generations of autistic and ADHD females.Â
Nikki's Future Plans
Nikki is fuelled by a desire to redefine the future for autistic and ADHD females and eradicate outdated stereotypes. Nikki is on a mission to inspire and empower, not just the women of this generation, but also to pave the way for the younger ones. She has plans to invest in services directly benefiting autistic and ADHD females and to support educational organisations and schools to ensure a better future for younger generations.
Awards and Qualifications
Nikki holds a Law Degree LLB 2:1, a Certification in Leadership & People Management from the Chartered Management Institute, a Certificate in Listening Skills from Farnborough College, and CUBS Expert Witness qualifications from Cardiff University + Bond Solon.
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Nikki has also accumulated many other qualifications, during her time as a medical tattooist and skin & scar specialist. She has some other fun ones too – like silversmithing and how to run a children’s ceramic painting business! She is a curious learner and has a passion for creative pursuits too. Nikki commented:
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“I have been ridiculed and berated for always being on a course of some kind, and I used to hide the fact I was studying from partners and friends, who would laugh and tell me I was taking another pointless course. But now I proudly embrace my need and desire for continuous learning! Curiosity is one of my core values, and I love that I have a thirst for knowledge and personal development. It’s a strength, not a failing on my part”.
Sometimes, the thing that others have criticised, ignored, or made fun of, can be one of our most valued attributes!
Personal Side
Despite her professional achievements, Nikki remains grounded. She values authenticity, compassion, curiosity, and courage – qualities she’s committed to living by. An avid reader, she often turns to books for comfort and wisdom. Nikki’s journey has taught her the importance of grace, recognition, and self-appreciation. She firmly believes in the lessons learned from life experiences and views them as stepping stones towards growth and self-improvement.
In her free time, Nikki enjoys quiet moments of solitude and reflection, which she believes are essential for her mental well-being. As someone who has walked the challenging path of self-discovery, she is now committed to guiding others on their journeys, hoping to light their paths with her insights and experiences.
In all aspects of her life, Nikki is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and transformation. As “The Autistic Joyologist”, she continues her mission of inspiring neurodivergent women to boldly and unapologetically stand out and not fit in, shaping a more accepting and understanding world for all.