Today, we delve into the reflections of an anonymous co-founder from a retail startup. This founder shares candid insights into the emotional roller coaster that entrepreneurship can be, discussing the highs, the lows, and the coping mechanisms adopted along the way. Their journey provides a firsthand look into the internal challenges founders face and the strategies employed to ensure mental well-being.
What inspired you to become a founder?
I couldn’t find any startup in sustainability offering roles that interested me and then came across this problem. I was aiming for a COO role to help a startup become profitable.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed in your journey as a founder?
Yes – finding the correct balance between me and my other co-founder who is part-time. Tough conversations that need to be had. I also fall into the trap of comparing myself to other co-founders.
How do you recognize when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed?
Procrastination, negative work feelings/thoughts spilling into personal life, the desire to be productive across my life going down.
How has your mental well-being impacted your business or decision-making?
I went through depression and panic attacks when we first tried to launch due to personal circumstances. I talk to my co-founder and am lucky enough to be able to step back from the business and seek professional help.
What are the main impacts on your mental well-being as a founder?
The sense of loneliness/solitude, as I work from my flat and only have two other part-time teammates (CMO and co-founder).
Who supports you during challenging times?
Co-founder, friends, other founders, Exec coach. I am not great at opening up unless I have a solution or path out of the challenging times. I.e., I am finding this hard because, but I am going to fix it by XYZ. I have now found a few people (2/3 friends and an exec coach who I force myself to approach sooner).
Have you considered or undergone professional mental health support?
I saw a therapist for personal reasons and then came back to the business. I have now worked on finding a coach to help with tactics and diagnosing how work impacts me. I am also looking for more mentors to get input on my work priorities and fears.
What self-care strategies have you adopted?
Bad days are okay; go do something else during those periods. Talking to other founders, it is clear everyone is stressed/has down days. Compartmentalizing the tasks/conversations/goal that is triggering.
How do you balance your professional and personal life?
I am working on this, but don’t copy other people. Need to find your own habits, rhythm, and plan.
What advice would you give to others regarding managing stress and mental well-being?
Find others to go and have a beer (coffee) with and just let loose telling each other your worries, and you will be amazed at how similar it is. Oh, and define failure. For me, the business not reaching X level was a failure, but then I spent time thinking about what I would do if it does fail, and I saw a lot of positives in what my next job could be. It took a lot of the risk feeling away.
Any feedback or additional insights you’d like to provide?
You might want a scale/insight into how people feel they are in control of their mental health. These things change and fluctuate over time. So I would say I am an expert but have experienced a decent amount personally or through others. I am not sure I am in a position to advise others but happy to share my experience. I feel positive now, but two weeks ago was definitely a low, and in two weeks, I am sure there will be another low, so my answers will change.
Ending Remarks
Our anonymous founder’s story underscores the often under-discussed mental toll entrepreneurship can take. From the solitude of working remotely to the pressures of managing a team and bearing the weight of a company’s success, this founder’s experiences are both relatable and eye-opening. Their approach to self-care, professional help, and the importance of genuine support networks offers valuable lessons for others navigating similar paths. Above all, it’s a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness necessary to thrive in the startup world.
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