Meet Jobany Aguilar, the passionate Founder of Kidduz. Embarking on a journey to provide solutions, Jobany’s experiences offer a deep insight into the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. His dedication to personal development, resilience in the face of setbacks, and commitment to self-care are testament to his character and drive.
What inspired you to become a founder?
The purpose of Kidduz.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed in your journey as a founder?
Yes, a couple of times. I’ve gotten overwhelmed with life overall, working 70hrs weekly to survive in a new city, plus learning skillsets & applying it to build Kidduz.
How do you recognize when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed?
I feel a loss of purpose inside, and everything becomes a chore.
How has your mental well-being impacted your business or decision-making?
Yes, I once got overwhelmed with executing multiple marketing strategies for Kidduz and building another business on the side for funding. I navigated that by realigning with my purpose and giving me some time for myself. Usually, nature, reading, thinking, and creating new goals help overcome all depression. Keeping my eyes forward and re-establishing purpose to my actions helped.
What are the main challenges or stressors you face as a founder?
Yes. Fundraising took a lot out of me. After I got neglected by hundreds of incubators, VCs, and Angels, I decided to start 6 businesses for self-funding; they all failed. This stalled my motivation for a few weeks, but I delved deeper into Personal Development and have been progressing fairly well mentally and performance-wise.
Who supports you during challenging times?
I don’t have anyone genuinely supporting me. I live alone, away from all family. I tend to just fall back on myself. I play soccer for a social life & did Uber, but that’s about it, and it’s recent that soccer began.
Have you considered or undergone professional mental health support?
Yes. I hired people from Betterhelp, but I didn’t find it much helpful and switched therapists about four times. They often repeated what I mentioned and told me it was okay not to say anything. Plus, there were things I didn’t want to disclose much.
What self-care strategies have you adopted?
I constantly re-analyze my goals and get in tuned with my purpose. I practice positive self-talk, forget about mistakes quickly, and strive to maintain a good amount of water, healthy food, and constant movement.
How do you balance your professional and personal life?
Yes. I lost balance massively for the last 3 years. Only this year I’ve regained some of it back, and my mental health increased. I simply set time aside in my day where it makes it easy for me to go exercise. Exercising is the one thing I’ve never let go of, even during COVID.
What advice would you give to others regarding managing stress and mental well-being?
If you’re stressed, you’re probably focused on the micro aspect of things. Regain focus on the bigger picture, ask what your outcome is, and how you can achieve it, then recreate the plan. Ensure to drink lots of water and eat as healthy as possible. Strive to believe that everything happens for you, not to you, and that there is a higher purpose to it all.
Any feedback or additional suggestions for us?
Being a founder is a lonely journey most often, especially if you have no connection or even during COVID. Mastering yourself mentally and creating a solid vision plus a schedule that is well sequenced to your day and rhythm is essential to progress and sustaining grit. Always strive for excellence no matter what, especially in performance.
What would you like to understand better or explore further?
Are you a funded startup or not? If not, how does having a day job and startup affect you, and how many hours are you able to invest in your startup weekly?
Ending Remarks
Jobany’s narrative underscores the importance of mental well-being, self-reflection, and support structures (or lack thereof) in the entrepreneurial realm. His journey is a poignant reminder that while the path of a founder can be isolating and fraught with challenges, it is also one of growth, learning, and self-discovery. His words serve as both an inspiration and a guide for those navigating similar terrains, emphasizing the need for balance, self-awareness, and an unwavering focus on the bigger picture.
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