069 Building a Business That Lets You Rest, with Randi Pullar

What if your business expected your body to have hard days?

For chronically ill and neurodivergent entrepreneurs, conventional business advice can feel impossible to follow. Post constantly. Stay visible. Be consistent. Push through. But when pain, fatigue, brain fog, or a flare up can change the shape of your day without warning, building a business around constant output is rarely sustainable.

In this conversation, April talks with Randi Pullar of Chronically Cozy about creating a business that adapts to your body and brain.

Randi shares how years of unexplained symptoms, job hopping, workplace misunderstandings, and unmet accommodation needs eventually led to self employment. They also talk honestly about the complicated relief of being able to “suffer in peace,” without having to prove an illness or worry that someone else sees you as unreliable.

The conversation moves beyond personal experience into practical business strategy. Randi explains why a website, email list, reusable content, and systems that continue working while you rest may serve chronically ill entrepreneurs better than relying entirely on social media.

This is not a promise that entrepreneurship is easy or that the right mindset will make chronic illness disappear. It is a conversation about accepting the realities of your capacity, releasing timelines that were never designed for your body, and building something meaningful at a pace you can actually sustain.

In This Episode

April and Randi talk about:

• The invisible reasons traditional employment can become unsustainable

• Working from home as an accommodation for chronic illness and neurodivergence

• The grief of losing work options and being perceived as unreliable

• Why chronically ill business owners may need a longer path to profitability

• Building a business that plans for flare ups instead of treating them as failures

• Why websites and email lists offer more stability than social media alone

• Randi’s capsule blog approach to creating reusable content

• What “cozy” means in a practical business system

• Letting go of hustle culture and rigid definitions of consistency

• Creating community without demanding scheduled participation

• Why adaptability is one of the greatest strengths a chronically ill entrepreneur can bring to business

About Randi

Randi Pullar is the creator of Chronically Cozy, where they help chronically ill and neurodivergent entrepreneurs build sustainable content strategies and systems. Randi offers coaching, self paced resources, and the Chronically Cozy Creators Club, a Discord community created for connection, collaboration, and support without the pressure of constant participation.

Connect With Randi

Website: https://chronicallycozylife.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicallycozylife/
The Community: https://bit.ly/3U6duz9
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@chronicallycozylife

Through Randi’s website, listeners can explore content strategy resources, coaching, self paced products, and the Chronically Cozy community.

00:00:00

April Aramanda: Welcome to The Invisible Illness Club podcast. I'm April Aramanda. This is the place for honest conversations about what life actually looks like when you're living with chronic illness, the parts people see and the parts they don't. Some days we talk about faith, some days we talk about survival, and some days we talk about finding joy in the middle of the mess. Wherever you are in your journey, you're not the only one walking this road. Today I am happy to be joined by Randi Pullar from Chronically Cozy. Randi, welcome to The Invisible Illness Club podcast.

00:00:38

Randi Pullar: Thank you for having me. I'm super excited. I love being a guest on other people's podcasts.

00:02:23

April Aramanda: Before we talk about the business you're currently building, can you take us back to what work looked like before you began creating it around your body and your brain?

00:02:40

Randi Pullar: I was a serial job jumper. Only the government could tell you how many jobs I've actually had. I would get into a job, give it my all, and become really invested. Then the dopamine would fade, I would begin noticing the problems, or the workplace would not accommodate needs I did not yet understand. At the time, I did not know I was neurodivergent, and I was also beginning to experience more chronic illness symptoms. Nothing really fit. In my early twenties I went back to school to become a therapist assistant. I was interested in health, but I also noticed a gap. When someone had chronic pain or a condition that could not be cured, ongoing support seemed to disappear. My hypermobility can be managed, but it is not going away. That gap helped me imagine creating something of my own that I could offer virtually.

00:07:56

April Aramanda: What was happening behind the scenes that other people could not see while you were trying to work and realizing something needed to change?

00:08:09

Randi Pullar: There were so many things. I have an ADHD diagnosis, and I believe there is more mixed in, although some of that has been peer reviewed rather than doctor confirmed. I was dealing with overthinking, stress before work, headaches, fatigue, and not knowing how I would feel from one day to the next. I did not understand that these experiences were unusual. I was distracted by everything I had to do: finish school, find a job, pay rent, and keep life moving. Once I had a little more safety and support, I finally had room to notice what was happening and think about what kind of work might fit me. In hindsight, things had been happening throughout my life, but they did not become a clear problem until my early to mid twenties. My hip went out, and I began trying to understand my hypermobility. I have symptoms, chronic pain, and some related conditions, but I have not had the full dislocations or hospital visits people may associate with more severe presentations. That made it difficult to get a diagnosis.

00:11:55

Randi Pullar: What still amazes me is that I trained alongside physiotherapists and no one recognized it. During one practice, they were trying to mobilize my shoulder blade and could not find it because of where it sat. They brought me to the instructor, who said, 'Oh, that's weird.' Looking back, that probably should have been a sign.

00:12:13

April Aramanda: What diagnoses have you received, and what conditions are still uncertain?

00:12:35

Randi Pullar: My condition is labeled generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder. I deal with chronic joint pain and subluxations, which are partial movements of a joint rather than full dislocations. I have trouble with my ribs, hips, and shoulders. I was assessed for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and told I did not meet the criteria. My primary doctor also believes I have fibromyalgia. I have ADHD, and I am very likely autistic. I also experience symptoms that resemble POTS and MCAS, but I do not meet the diagnostic thresholds. It is frustrating to be considered not sick enough for a diagnosis while the symptoms still create real problems.

00:16:40

April Aramanda: How did chronic pain, hypermobility, and neurodivergence affect your working life?

00:16:49

Randi Pullar: I had more pain and fatigue than people expected from someone my age. Whenever I said I could not do something, I heard, 'But you're so young.' When symptoms continued, people sometimes saw me as flaky, unreliable, or as if I were trying to avoid work. Communication was difficult too. I would say the honest thing and could not understand why someone interpreted it in a completely different way. Work always felt hard. I could not understand how other people went every day, complained about it afterward, and then simply returned. Eventually I realized they were not dealing with as many layers as I was.

00:19:21

April Aramanda: Was there a moment when you realized the answer was not becoming better at pushing through, but changing the way you worked?

00:19:33

Randi Pullar: It happened when I started my own business and stepped away from a traditional workplace. I hated having to look busy when there was nothing useful to do. When I began building a business, I had plenty to learn, but I was excited by it and able to focus. I was working from my couch in a quiet space, without coworkers coming at me, and I could choose what needed to happen that day. If my body hurt but my mind was clear, I could work from bed. It was still difficult to be a chronically ill, neurodivergent entrepreneur, but the work could finally adjust to me.

00:22:59

Randi Pullar: I describe it as being able to suffer in peace. I know I will still be in pain, uncomfortable, and extra tired, but I can experience those things without someone else's expectations hanging over me. I am not letting down a manager or coworkers. For many of us, the hardest part is not only the symptoms. It is being viewed as flaky, needing help, losing independence, and losing the options we once had. I used to be able to see a job and think, 'That looks fun. Maybe I'll try it.' Now, even if I need more money, I cannot casually take a part time position and risk being unable to meet its demands.

00:27:14

Randi Pullar: Even with an incredibly understanding spouse, I can hold myself to a harsher standard. When my husband says something can wait, I sometimes feel worse because I think it should already be done. We have to remember that the usual business timeline was not built around chronic illness. People often say a business takes six to twelve months to become profitable. If you are chronically ill and neurodivergent, add more time. You may be building it part time and experiencing interruptions from flare ups. That is not failure. It is the reality of the pace available to you.

00:28:14

April Aramanda: Your work helps people build businesses that continue functioning while they rest. How did your business evolve in that direction?

00:28:27

Randi Pullar: I began as a personal trainer and built a business that did fairly well, but I could not physically keep up with it. Marketing was the biggest struggle for me and for many people I met, so I focused on finding approaches that worked better. I moved toward content writing, then realized many business owners did not know what content they needed. I would suggest blogging, and they would tell me they did not even have a website. That led me into copywriting, content strategy, and helping people build several platforms that work together behind the scenes. Blogging, search optimization, and email marketing are still valuable. Social media, on the other hand, often demands constant attention and constant output. Most of us cannot sustain that.

00:33:50

April Aramanda: You do not own a social platform or the relationship it has with your audience.

00:34:03

Randi Pullar: Exactly. My content strategy tries to move people away from putting all their energy into spaces they do not own. The more you post on Instagram, the more money you help make for Meta. If your business is not benefiting at the same time, you are back to working for someone else. Your website and email list give you a more stable connection with your own audience.

00:35:16

Randi Pullar: My systems can sound like a lot, but I may spend two or three hours creating one strong blog post. That includes the idea, research, outline, and draft. The same method can begin with a podcast or video. I teach a capsule blog approach using twelve to fifteen foundational posts that can be reused. You do not have to write a new blog or email every week. One piece can be repurposed throughout the month. It is a slower and less flashy approach, but it is far more sustainable than constantly asking what you should post today.

00:36:58

April Aramanda: You use the word 'cozy' to describe the kind of business you help people create. What does cozy mean beyond warm visuals and gentle language?

00:37:05

Randi Pullar: When you are chronically ill and feeling awful, you want to be in a space that feels comfortable and adapts to you. Cozy means comfort, fit, and peace. That is how I want my content system to work. I know blogs are bringing people to my website. I know email sequences are doing what they are supposed to do. I know content is prepared to be repurposed. Even when I am curled up and not feeling well, I can be grateful that something I created earlier is still working. Writing can also be physically accessible. You do not have to get dressed, do your hair, or be on camera. You can write from bed with your laptop, your drink, and your dog nearby. Email can feel cozy too because you are connecting personally with someone in their inbox.

00:39:54

April Aramanda: Systems that protect your energy require energy to build. How can someone begin creating a sustainable business when they are already exhausted?

00:40:01

Randi Pullar: I am sorry to say it, because we all hate this answer, but it starts with mindset. I do not mean positive thinking that pretends everything is fine. I mean breaking the beliefs hustle culture taught us: that we must post every day, follow someone else's timeline, push through, and use one supposedly correct strategy. It is your business. You can work at your own pace, focus on what matters to you, and change your mind. Even my system is meant to be adapted. There is never only one way to build the thing.

00:42:04

Randi Pullar: My approach is realistic. You have to accept that flare ups will happen whether or not you drink enough water, sleep well, or do everything 'right.' Planning for that can sound negative to people accustomed to toxic positivity, but it creates freedom. The same systems are often sold to healthy people as a way to travel or spend more time with family. I am building them for people whose bodies require rest.

00:43:36

April Aramanda: You also created the Chronically Cozy Creators Club. Chronic illness, neurodivergence, and entrepreneurship can each be isolating. Why did you feel this community was needed?

00:44:19

Randi Pullar: I was lonely, and I wanted friends who understood what I was talking about without having to shout into an algorithm. Many chronically ill creators make work for other chronically ill people because we create what we know. I wanted a space where we could share our work, talk honestly, collaborate, and ask for support.

00:45:36

Randi Pullar: The community is on Discord and currently costs seven dollars per month to support the technology and hosting. It is intentionally low pressure. You do not have to attend scheduled events. There is an anytime coworking area, with one channel for quiet work and another for conversation. Members can share blogs, social posts, videos, and podcasts. There is also a collaboration area for finding guests, contributors, and chronically ill service providers such as coaches, virtual assistants, writers, and editors. It is not a place where I manage people. It is a place to connect and participate when you are able.

00:49:23

Randi Pullar: There are about 220 chronically ill and neurodivergent members from around the world. I have spoken with people in Nigeria, France, and the United Kingdom. We all encounter different systems and challenges, but we are creative problem solvers. It is valuable to ask a business question and hear from people who have actually faced similar limitations.

00:50:58

April Aramanda: If someone listening is quietly wondering whether they are too inconsistent, too ill, or too far behind to build something meaningful, what would you want them to hear?

00:51:11

Randi Pullar: First, ask who told you that and whether that person is worth listening to. There is no reason you cannot explore the possibility. Do not spend thousands of dollars immediately. Research, talk with people, and test your idea. Do not underestimate yourself. Chronically ill people live with enormous struggles, and we have had to become adaptable. Business, especially marketing, requires adaptation. Let go of advice that insists there is only one correct way to succeed.

00:54:11

April Aramanda: Before we close, what is your favorite coffee or cozy drink?

00:54:20

Randi Pullar: My morning coffee is the one consistent routine in my life, usually with more creamer than I probably need. If I go out, I love a caramel macchiato.

00:55:17

April Aramanda: What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now?

00:55:24

Randi Pullar: I started the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. It is funny and especially good if you enjoy role playing games or Dungeons and Dragons. I usually listen to audiobooks, but the first book drew me into physically reading again.

00:57:13

April Aramanda: What is one small thing that makes a low energy day feel cozier?

00:57:20

Randi Pullar: My dog, Satchmo. He is nine years old, but he is still my puppy. He is a Border Collie and Australian Shepherd mix, so you would expect him to be very energetic, but he has always adapted to me. When I prepare for a day in bed, he seems excited to curl up beside me. He makes those days better.

00:58:13

April Aramanda: If you received a completely guilt free day with no work or expectations, and you felt well, how would you spend it?

00:58:21

Randi Pullar: I would love to go out and do several ordinary things in one day: run an errand, get coffee, take a walk, and meet a friend later. Being able to do multiple things in one day would feel wonderful.

00:59:18

April Aramanda: Randi, it has been so good having you here. Is there anything else you would like listeners to know?

00:59:27

Randi Pullar: If you are looking for content strategy and content systems, visit chronicallycozylife.com. I offer coaching as well as self paced products, because coaching does not work for everyone and is not always affordable. If you have questions, want to talk, or want to connect with other people who understand, you are also welcome in the community.

01:00:17

April Aramanda: Thank you so much, Randi.

01:00:19

Randi Pullar: Thank you.