Key Learnings on Mental Health and Culture from a Founder's Perspective

My heart was pounding at a rapid 160 beats per minute. The tightening sensation in my chest was becoming increasingly unnerving. Hours later, huddled next to my jacuzzi, I found myself dry heaving, desperately taking deep breaths to steel myself for an impending call with a potential acquirer. No, I wasn't battling food poisoning or pushing through a grueling marathon. I was enduring the often unspoken hardships that come with leading a startup during tumultuous times.

As a founder, I've discovered the journey is one of extreme highs and lows. The highs are dopamine-filled celebrations: landing a superb hire, closing a significant funding round, delighting customers, and knowing that you're on a journey to create something beneficial for the world. In the first year, everything seemed to be moving up and to the right.

However, what rises must inevitably descend. When the pandemic hit, our customer base crumbled, and a quarter of our team left. Moments of self-doubt and adversity felt like an internal war, a wrestling match with my own demons.

When shit hits the fan, the sense of responsibility as a founder is indescribable. It becomes a matter of 'we', not 'me', a silent commitment to the families who have joined you on this journey. The more your startup grows, the weightier the burden. Humans are not designed to shoulder such extreme levels of stress and pressure.

I frequently share my experiences with other entrepreneurs, urging them to prioritize their mental health before they find themselves in crisis. Responses typically oscillate between empathy and denial.

"'It won't be me. I'm mentally healthy. I've tried therapy in the past, and I don't think I need it. Things are going well."

In response, I persist, referencing stark data that shows roughly 50% of CEOs and co-founders develop a mental disorder directly from the job. Some take their life, and others end up in the emergency room. Perhaps existing conditions become triggered by the stress of building a company from scratch. Paradoxically, our greatest strengths are often our weaknesses.

So, what have I learned?

As a founder, prioritizing your mental health is one of the best decisions you can make to increase the value of your startup. Culture trickles from the top; if your days and nights are consumed by anxiety, it inevitably seeps into the team. By taking care of our mental health, we can better serve others and tackle challenges with increased resilience and understanding. The tech industry, whether people openly admit it or not, has weathered turbulent times over the past few years. Find a therapist, establish boundaries, take vacations, and eliminate meetings that drain you.

Secondly, cultivating a people-centric culture is critical. Be vulnerable, share your challenges, and foster an environment that encourages open discussions about mental health. I remember the day I confessed my situational depression at an all-hands meeting. I feared people would leave, but instead, they reached out with encouragement and support. They stepped up to lead our M&A discussions and pitched the business to acquirers on days when I could barely get out of bed. We ended up with a very successful exit. Remember, even though it's your company, you're not alone. Allow your team to share the burden.

The journey of building a startup is far from the glamorous portrayal often presented by the media. It's a pathway filled with trials that build resilience and tenacity. Yet, with the right preparation, self-care, and a strong team, it becomes a meaningful journey of growth and self-discovery.