Successful entrepreneurs may look all tough and glamorous on the outside, but we’re all human, with a need to address our own mental health and emotions.
Here at Honeycombers, we love entrepreneurs and small business owners – which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a networking platform that encourages connection and business support. As our community grows, it’s becoming more apparent that the entrepreneurship journey isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Some of us deal with pre-existing mental health conditions, while others may develop symptoms when trying to build a business – but how does mental health and entrepreneurship affect each other? We explore the relationship between the two as the incredible female founders of Launchpad (including myself!) share our authentic and vulnerable experiences.
Let’s talk about entrepreneurs’ mental health
Simran Mohinani, Founder of Mohlia
Growing up as an avid daydreamer and creative thinker, I always knew I was a little “different”, but it wasn’t until I was 12 when I got diagnosed with anxiety. On one hand, anxiety has been like fuel to me when it comes to my work at Mohlia; it gives me adrenaline and pushes me to get to the end of the day. On the other hand, the cracks showed at the start of this year, when my inner child was screaming for release. I realised I’d been neglecting myself; I was beginning to burn out, and my anxiety and depression were getting out of hand. It’s like having diabetes, yet thinking you can get away with your insulin levels going all over the place everyday – there will be long-term consequences.
I don’t think mental health defines us, but I do believe it’s important for entrepreneurs to prioritise our mental wellbeing. In my case, I began spending more time with my family and friends. I also loved playing with my dog and went travelling. These activities proved to be very helpful and I’m continuing to incorporate them into my daily life. I feel I’ve become stronger and am performing better at work, as I’m able to dedicate my full, healthy self into my passion and purpose.
Check out how Simran Mohinani gets it done like a boss!
Yinki Wong, Founder of Yin-Ki Wellness & Coaching
One of the biggest lessons I learned in high school (which has since carried over to my business at Yin-Ki Wellness) is to put my own mental health at the forefront. Growing up, I always put my own needs below everything else – grades, my parents’ emotions and expectations, and whatnot. I called this the “Harvard Energy”, but it didn’t allow me to express myself creatively. It took being diagnosed with depression and going through the recovery period to realise nothing is worth sacrificing my mental health for.
These experiences were instrumental in why I started my business. While clinical recovery was helpful, my holistic actions were also beneficial, be it practising movement (specifically yoga or spinning), receiving coaching or sound healing, or meditating. They made me realise that not every modality works for everyone, thus I focused on building a business that could offer people alternatives.
My advice for those who are struggling with mental health, especially those in the entrepreneurial space, is to seek help. I would never discredit or push anyone away from seeking clinical help, including medication and seeing a therapist. As a coach, I also recommend people to try reconnecting with their inner child. Speaking to yourself as if you were 10 increases empathy and helps you identify the areas that need care, love, and support. In addition, I’d suggest finding a good support system – it can be your family, friends, or anyone in your network that you feel close to.
Take a look at how Yinki Wong gets it done like a boss!
Maria Frances Marinay, Co-founder of Beige Social
Growing up, I didn’t have the understanding or the language to describe my emotional experiences. I remember my first panic attack happened in math class, when I couldn’t answer a question and started crying; I couldn’t breathe and the ordeal didn’t stop until I got home. This was the first indication that I had anxiety. It wasn’t until university and moving to the UK did I start to comprehend my situation and begin to manage it.
I started my company, a social media agency called Beige Social, with the aim to support conscious businesses. With entrepreneurship, especially as you’re doing something that you’re passionate about, you’re expected to hustle. Work hours expand from just 9 to 5 to 24/7, so I’ve found it essential to build in boundaries, both with my team and my clients. That’s not quite the norm in Asia yet, where the hustle culture is insane. Still, my favourite quote currently is “no is a full sentence”.
Moreover, I’ve found that entrepreneurship can be quite fluid; it can be freeing or terrifying, depending on your personality. For me, I’ve needed to implement a schedule but also recognise the need for flexibility, and factor it in. Finally, I’ve also had to schedule in self-care, be it yoga, meditation, or journalling. I write three things I’m grateful for everyday, and I find it super helpful to look back at them when I am depressed or anxious.
Sarah Vee, Founder of Women of Hong Kong
It took feeling suicidal for me to finally confront my mental health. While on most days I’m able to manage my imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and PTSD from prior relationships, I can lose grasp of logic and reality, and act impulsively when my emotions are triggered. This has caused me to lose opportunities and people I love. Since then, I started looking for ways to cope with my mental health issues and create a better life – a better version of myself.
During the journey, I’ve developed a love for psychology which helped me identify the reasoning behind my thoughts, develop the right tools to navigate them, and separate myself from my emotions when necessary. This has been imperative in my work as well. With Women of Hong Kong, I’ve not only given myself more space and understanding, it’s also allowed me to be more empathetic towards others. I’ve learned to create a safe space for people I work with, so that they can have the confidence to be honest and vulnerable.
My advice for entrepreneurs struggling with mental health would be to invest in your mind and mental wellbeing, and to truly understand who you are. Work on the areas that hold you back, exercise self-awareness, and don’t live life on autopilot – just because you’re used to something, or was raised to do things a certain way, doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way. Furthermore, recognising that everyone is different and discovering what really works for you can change the course of your success. A successful business requires successful connections and relationships, and you cannot attain them if you don’t have a good relationship with yourself – so start right here.
Kopal Manglik, Content and Community Support Manager of Launchpad
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was a teenager, with my first depressive episode happening when I was 16. Since then, mental health problems have been my constant companions; they have not just influenced my work life, but shaped it. While medication and therapy have been essential in managing my symptoms, there are certain side effects or repercussions that have impacted the way I work.
Most significantly, the illness and medication affect my sleep and energy level. On my worst days, I could wake up after 14 hours of sleep, yet still lack the energy for work or social activities. During depressive episodes, I have absolutely zero motivation; but during manic episodes, I feel on top of the world, with insane amounts of energy to accomplish all my tasks – and though I tend to be super productive during these periods, the depression is always right around the corner.
Because of these ups and downs, I find full-time work difficult to manage, despite having interned at high-intensity environments – when I was chasing status and money. But upon realising that my mental and physical health comes first, I started my freelance writing business, And She Does. The flexibility, which includes me taking a mental health day almost biweekly, has helped me achieve my goals outside of the traditional corporate environment. This shifted mindset of making time for self-care (including movement, hobbies, and social connection) is my ticket to more stable mental health.
Source: Honeycombers
