This week on the show we’re mixing things up and instead of interviewing someone else I’ll be speaking on one of my favorite topics to talk about - imposter syndrome.It’s one I’m very familiar with after helping many clients to overcome it, and having dealt with it myself which I share more about in this episode.Imposter syndrome is a deep feeling of self-doubt, very often in spite of having an impressive resume. When you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, it doesn’t matter how much you’ve accomplished, or how positively others see you, you have a voice inside that tells you you’re a fraud and it can feel like the ultimate truth.I really dislike the term imposter syndrome. Especially the syndrome part. It makes it sound like it’s a diagnosable condition, which it isn’t,  and it also makes it sound like something is wrong with you.Nothing could be further from the truth though!First of all, if you’re struggling with it - you’re in good company. It’s estimated that 70% of people will struggle with imposter syndrome at some time or another.If you’re a high achiever, an entrepreneur, or part of a marginalized group you’re even more likely to experience it. Be sure to check out the full episode to learn why this is as well as some tools to help you make sure that imposter syndrome doesn’t hold you back.Resources from this episode:Free guide to help you connect with your inner compassionate coach: https://melissaparks.com/self-compassion-entrepreneurs/HBR articles on imposter syndrome: https://hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome and https://hbr.org/2021/07/end-imposter-syndrome-in-your-workplaceConnect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to discuss how her coaching can help you to deal with your own imposter syndrome: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Too often we think about therapy as something to seek out as a last resort, when we’re in crisis and have exhausted all our other options.Even if you suspect that it might help you to pursue therapy proactively, too many of us view it as something optional. Especially when you’re a founder who is acutely aware of how you’re spending your time and money.My guest this week is here to talk about why he believes therapy is essential for founders, why it’s so helpful to seek out a therapist before you have a problem, and all of the ways his own experience in therapy has made him a better founder, as well as a co-founder.Ryan Schwartz is the founder of Mental Health Match, a free platform that makes it easy to find a therapist. He's also the co-founder of TherapistsDAO, a community of therapists that shares ownership and governance of the infrastructure needed to advance mental health care across the globe. Ryan and his husband are nomadic, traveling around North America in pursuit of the calmest nature backdrops to their lives as startup founders.Tune in to this episode to learn more about some of the ways founders might benefit from going to therapy, including uncovering blind spots and overcoming imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and avoidance, as well as the tips Ryan shares for how to know if a therapist is the right fit for you.Find Ryan online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mentalhealthmatch/https://mentalhealthmatch.comhttps://www.therapistsdao.comConnect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

In this week’s episode I’m introducing you to Andrew Douglas, a firefighter turned mental health app co-founder.This episode is an intense one and I want to warn you that there is mention of suicide as well as a traumatic event that contributed to Andrew’s PTSD while working as a firefighter. However, all this serves to highlight the importance of his company’s mission and I hope you’ll feel as inspired as I did about the work he’s doing to share with the world the mental health app that he wishes he would have had at his darkest moments.Andrew dedicated several years of his life to serving his community as a firefighter/paramedic and union leader before he personally struggled with PTSD. This experience showed him the importance of mental health support which led him to co-found Siento, a stigma-free mobile application platform designed to help first responders and professionals in high-stress industries. (note: “Siento” means “to feel” in Spanish).Siento’s mission is to provide a safe and anonymous space for people to share their feelings, connect with others who understand their challenges, and access the mental health assistance they need. They believe that by fostering an environment of understanding and compassion, they can make a positive impact on the lives of those who serve our communities and work under immense pressure.In this interview, I learned about research showing that more firefighters die by suicide each year than in the line of duty. I hope this episode helps to raise awareness about this important cause and the work Andrew and his team are doing to change these disturbing statistics.If you, or anyone you know, is suicidal, don’t hesitate to call 988 (in the United States) or visit this website for a list of crisis lines around the globe: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/Find Andrew online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-douglas-b358b4226/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.douglas.334Siento website: https://siento.ioSiento Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090208429001Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

In this week’s episode, I’m introducing you to Neha Gunnoo, a former tech startup co-founder who stepped away from her startup after realizing how much it was harming her mental health.Neha is now the founder & senior content strategist of Luova Digital Ltd specializing in digital content strategy and marketing with clients and partners globally including the US, Europe and Mauritius. Neha was previously the co-founder and CMO of LeFinTech Ltd – a startup in Mauritius specializing in chatbots for small businesses in Mauritius. She was responsible for the business and marketing strategy and for maintaining the relationships with different stakeholders. She was among the finalists of the Turbine Test Drive 2019 and the startup was incubated at Turbine.Neha has worked in various companies such as Accenture Technology and Barclays Mauritius. She is a regular Speaker at local and international events, Host & Owner of the Bold Enough Podcast, Mentor at the AMFCE and AfriTech and Content Marketing Trainer at Chelvan Training. She was awarded the title “Rising Star of the Year 2022” by the Women in Tech Africa and has been featured in multiple magazines for her entrepreneurship journeyIn this interview we talk about her decision to leave startup life behind, the fears she had to face to make this choice, and why looking back she has zero regrets. She also shares what she’s doing differently as a soloepreneur to prioritize her mental health and ensure that her business is not her life.If you’re looking for support to help you be a successful founder without sacrificing your mental well-being or relationships, schedule a free discovery call with Melissa to see if 1:1 coaching with her would be a good fit. Schedule your call here - https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/Find Neha online:Neha’s podcast, Bold Enough: https://linktr.ee/boldenoughLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehagunnoo/Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.For more about this episode and the transcript, visit http://melissaparks.com/15-tech-startup-founder-turned-solopreneur-neha-gunnoo 

In this week’s interview I’m introducing you to Melani Gordon, a founder who realized at the height of her company’s success that she was experiencing burnout.Melani is a highly respected serial entrepreneur and business coach, with a decade-long track record of mentoring and coaching over 200 startup founders via Techstars and Founders First Capital. Melani offers a range of services to ambitious founders, leaders and their teams, including CEO coaching, co-founder alignment, team off-sites, peer groups, and sales training programs. She is well known for her SaaS Sales Academy.Melani has a wealth of experience in the tech industry. She was the CEO of TapHunter, where she grew the company into a leading player in management and marketing software for bars, restaurants, and other local businesses. TapHunter was acquired in late 2022.Aside from her business accomplishments, Melani is a limited partner at Interlock Capital, a founding member of San Diego Startup Week, and a board member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She is also a volunteer adaptive snowboard instructor at Achieve Tahoe. In her free time, Melani enjoys being in the backcountry mountain biking and snowboarding in the Sierra Nevadas.In this interview, we discuss Melani’s journey through burnout and road towards recovery, and the lessons she learned along the way about the importance of mental health. She also shares some of her words of wisdom for founders who want to avoid burnout themselves and why she thinks all founders should budget for a therapist, business coach, and peer support group.TW: I do want to let you know that there is a mention of death by suicide in this episode.Find Melani online:Melani is currently scheduling her next batch of peer groups for CEO's and founders. Schedule a call with her - https://calendly.com/melanigordon/30minLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanigordon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/melgordonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanigordon/Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Sign up for my weekly newsletter to be notified of new episodes and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at recording of the podcast:https://melissaparks.com/podcast/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

The rates of mental illness amongst founders are incredibly high. Research out of UC Berkeley found that 72% of entrepreneurs are affected by mental illness.This same study found that entrepreneurs are:2x more likely to suffer from depression6x more likely to suffer from ADHD3x more likely to suffer from substance abuse10x more likely to suffer from bipolar disorderMany of these entrepreneurs are likely suffering in silence, or feeling like they’re the only one. It’s essential that we have key players in the startup world who are sharing about their own struggles with mental illness so we can reduce the stigma, and inspire others to get vulnerable and seek treatment.My guest this week is Micah Baldwin, a serial founder, angel investor, and leadership coach. Micah started his first business when he was 9 years and sold his last company in 2014. Over the years he has started or been early at 5 companies that raised a total of $350 million. He has also spent time at Amazon and Microsoft and in venture.In this interview Micah shares his story of grappling with addiction and getting sober, and receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. He shares about some of the challenges he’s faced along this journey, and the types of support that have been integral to his recovery. Micah currently coaches founders so he also shares his insights into some of the struggles he sees founders facing on the entrepreneur rollercoaster and some of his words of wisdom for how to take care of yourself and ultimately, go further faster.‌Find Micah online:Twitter: https://twitter.com/micahInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artndog/Website: http://Micahbaldwin.com‌Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/‌If you’d like additional support for your mental health and well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

What if you realize that the day-to-day of bringing the vision of your startup to life requires you to ignore parts of yourself that are incredibly important?What if you’re still passionate about the mission behind your company, but realize that life as a startup founder/operator is not the way you want to bring it to life?Today I’m introducing you to a former co-founder who struggled with these same questions. Kat Brendel, was the co-founder of Cowomen, a coworking space and community club for women in Berlin, one of Germany’s first coworking spaces for women.Kat’s love of stories led her to study journalism and build a career in media. Through getting a boatload of marketing experience in South America, the US, and Europe, she learned not just how to tell good stories, but how they can drive businesses forward. In 2017, she launched her first podcast and was immediately hooked.Since then, she’s not only become a serial podcaster, but has also helped dozens of people & organizations launch and grow theirs. As a podcasting & storytelling strategist, her jam is helping bold business owners become the orca of their industry's ocean (aka the biggest, baddest, most big-hearted thing around).In this episode we explore how Kat found herself in a co-founder role, the moment she realized it wasn’t the right fit, and what helped her to make the difficult decision to step away, and how she overcame this so-called “failure.”Find Kat online:Website: https://tellonpurpose.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tellonpurpose/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katbrendelListen to Kat’s podcast (and sign up for her “Inside Story” emails: http://creatinginthemargins.comConnect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: Melissa Parks, PhD - Mindset Coaching for EntrepreneursInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: Home - Mindset Coach for Entrepreneurs - Melissa Parks, PhDSet up your free discovery call with Melissa:Melissa Parks PhD, LLCIf you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with an investor who has been a founder or co-founder himself multiple times for a candid conversation about the importance of not going it alone as a founder.We also discuss the traits that he as an investor is often looking for in the founders of startups he’s considering investing in, how he makes space for his mental health and family life despite his demanding job, and the personal story that fuels his passion for supporting innovations in healthcare.Erik Halvorsen, PhD, is a Partner at pHpartners healthcare investment bank leading up the therapeutics vertical. He has 20 years of experience in the Healthcare & Life Sciences sectors. With a background in neuropharmacology and regenerative medicine, he is passionate about translating cutting edge innovations into new companies & products that help people.As an entrepreneur, Erik has founded or co-founded several companies including therapeutics, clinical genomics, robotics, diagnostics and AI focused digital health. He also launched and ran early-stage life science investment funds in Boston and Houston.Prior to pH Partners, Erik was the founding director of the Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute. In four years, Erik grew the TMCx healthcare accelerator to national recognition and launched the TMC Venture Fund.In addition to his successful career, Erik enjoys traveling with his family, specifically to tropical destinations. He spends lots of time scuba diving on these trips, as well as relaxing on the beach with a good book.This is a must listen for any founder, or aspiring founder. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I didi!Find Erik online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhalvorsen1/Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Looking for 1:1 coaching as a founder to help you improve your mental fitness and emotional resilience? Set up your free discovery call with Melissa - https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

TW: mention of suicide in this episodeIn this week’s episode we’re going deep. My guest, Janice Fraser, is a Silicon Valley veteran with decades of experience in the startup world. She’s also no stranger to mental health struggles, and in this interview she candidly shares about her own experience managing anxiety, depression, and complex PTSD, including the types of treatment and support that have most helped her along her journey towards healing and becoming a more effective in all of her professional, and personal, roles.Fraser is an investor, sought-after speaker, and thought leader in emerging management practices to support innovation at scale. A Silicon Valley veteran with extensive knowledge of what works at a company’s ground level, Fraser is particularly committed to championing and extending access to the entrepreneurs who are typically underrepresented in the world of venture- backed startups.Fraser serves as a Partner for Seneca VC, which connects pre-seed teams with a diverse community of investors and experienced founders, provides operational support, and teaches them how to build long-term value using the Lean Startup methodology.As part of her work for Seneca, she serves as an equity advisor to the CEO of Venus Aerospace, a hypersonic spaceplane startup. For Productable, an innovation management SAAS platform for large organizations, Fraser serves as the equity advisor to the CEO, and the Head of Portfolio, designing the company's innovation portfolio management methodology.She is also the equity advisor to the co-founder and CEO of the woman’s community organization, The Coven. Since 2016, Fraser has been a Strategic Advisor to Proctor & Gamble, supporting the company's innovation transformation, including GrowthWorks.Fraser has held a number of other roles in her extensive career including Chief Product Officer, Director, Founder, Advisor, and entrepreneur in residence. She was one of 187 women CEOs in the U.S. to raise venture capital between 2011 and 2013.In April 2023, Janice and her husband Jason are launching their first book, Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead.In our interview Janice gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book (grab your copy!). Along with her own mental health founder journey we also discuss why she thinks founders need to care for their mental health in the same way elite athletes train, and the type of skills training she thinks should be in every founder's mental health toolbox. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!‌Find Janice Online:Website: www.janicefraser.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicefraser/Order your copy of her book, “Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead"  Amazon, Indigo or BenBella‌‌Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Set up your free discovery call with Melissa:  https://melissaparksphd.as.me/30minconsult‌If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founde

In this episode, we do speak about alcohol consumption as it relates to the company founded by this week’s guest. This could be triggering for anyone who struggles with alcohol use so please choose wisely if this is the right episode for you.In this episode, I’m introducing you to Adam Higginbotham, one of three co-founders of Liber & Co. Essential Cocktail Syrups based in Austin, TX. Liber & Co. is a leading manufacturer of premium quality cocktail syrups for professional beverage programs and home bartenders alike.Adam is also a husband and father and in this episode, we speak about the important role his family plays in his entrepreneurial journey and what helps him to juggle the demands of work life and family life.Adam's origin story is inspiring. In this episode we dive into how he and two college friends, one of whom is his identical twin brother, turned a hobby into a successful business, the challenges he’s faced in transitioning from a founder-operator to a more executive role as the company has grown, how he finds the balance between being a confident leader, while still modeling humility and a growth mindset, and more.Tune in to the full episode to hear Adam’s story and learn from the challenges he’s overcome on his entrepreneurial journey.Find Adam online:Liber & Co:  https://www.liberandcompany.com/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@liberandcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberandcoConnect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Set up your free discovery call with Melissa:  https://melissaparksphd.as.me/30minconsultIf you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

TW: In this episode, we briefly discuss a hate crime on the AAPI community that happened around the time of this interview.Entrepreneur life is full of mental and emotional challenges, but when you’re female, especially a minority female founder, like today’s guest, you’ll have additional obstacles to overcome.In today’s episode, I’m introducing you to Jiaming Ju, the founder of Kun Health, a wellness startup that combines Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with modern data science to optimize longevity through better movement health, using her family's cherished herbal medicine formula.Prior to diving into the world of entrepreneurship, Jiaming worked for a decade in the economics think tank industries. After a masters in Columbia university’s school of international and public affairs, she ran Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz’s think tank, the Initiative for Policy Dialogue in New York. She was responsible for programming, fundraising and her work took her from India to Jordan. She then moved to Singapore to run the world’s largest longitudinal data collection for older adults.We cover a lot in this interview including the unique challenges that Jiaming has faced as a minority female founder and what has helped her to overcome these obstacles, as well as how she juggles all of the different roles she has, and prioritizes her mental health.Find Jiaming online:Kun Health website: https://www.kun.health/Work with Jiaming: https://Kunhealth.as.me/Kun Health on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kunhealth/Jiaming on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiaming-ju%E9%9E%A0%E4%BD%B3%E6%98%8E-5a85a021/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kunhealth/Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Free guide for tapping in to your inner compassionate business coach:https://melissaparks.com/self-compassion-entrepreneurs/ If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

When you’re in the thick of things as a founder you often start questioning whether or not it’s still worth it. Our guest in this week’s episode is an exited founder who isn’t shy about her experience with this but actually puts a positive spin on her frequent desire to throw in the towel. She credits the mantra she and her husband, her co-founder, shared - “We’ll Just Work Until the End of the Day” - for helping them to survive some of the more challenging days on their entrepreneurial journey.Kate Berski is a British Entrepreneur and Writer. After 15 years in Advertising and Brand Consulting, she co-founded Curlsmith, a high-performance gourmet haircare line, in 2018. It became one of the fastest growing textured hair brands and now retails at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Target, feel unique and more. Kate exited the business in 2022, when it was acquired by consumer goods giant Helen of Troy.Kate shares with us her story from the very beginning of her startup through the phase of exiting the company, and what’s next for her. She gives us a candid look at some of the fears and self-doubt she faced during her time as a co-founder and what helped her to keep putting one foot in front of the other. We also dive into the pros and cons of co-founding a company with your husband, how she juggled her role as a co-founder with becoming a mother, her experience becoming an exited founder, and what she’ll do differently next time around.‌Find Kate online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-evansKate is currently researching for a book - “Help! I'm 30-ish” - a light-hearted self-help guide to surviving the most transformative of decades, your 30s. Follow her journey on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/help_im_30ish/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@help_im_30ish‌Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/Free guide for tapping in to your inner compassionate business coach: Self-Compassion - Melissa Parks, PhD‌If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

‌No matter how far you get in your career, how visible your role is, or how many career wins you have under your belt, none of us are immune from experiencing fear, self-doubt, or anxiety.However, because so many leaders don’t share this more vulnerable part of their story, there remains a pervasive myth that successful leaders are exempt from experiencing these feelings.This is why I’m so grateful that this week’s guest on the show is helping to bust this myth by sharing some of the mental and emotional challenges he’s faced throughout his career and what’s helped him overcome them.Ian Massingham is a leader in the tech startup ecosystem who has helped hundreds of thousands of startups around the globe. He is VP, Developer Relations & Community at Aiven, a series-D open source data infrastructure startup headquartered in Helsinki Finland. Prior to Aiven, Ian held a similar role at MongoDB, and before that he spent almost 8 years at Amazon Web Services. His final role at AWS was Global Director, Worldwide Solutions Architecture for Startups. Before the pandemic, Ian was a very frequent traveler and public speaker in his roles at AWS, traveling and speaking on behalf of AWS at customer and developer events across the globe.In this episode you’ll get a glimpse at Ian’s career successes, but not without a look at some of the challenges that he’s faced along the way. He’s also sharing some of his tips for creating boundaries between work and personal life, overcoming fears and self-doubt, and making the most of receiving critical feedback. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!Find Ian Online:Ian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imassingham/Ian’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IanMmmmCheck out Aiven at Aiven.io - they’re hiring!‌Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/‌If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Founding a startup is not for the faint of heart, but female founders in particular have the odds stacked against them when they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.Although 40% of companies in the U.S. are owned by women, female founded companies receive only a fraction of venture capital investments - about 2% in the U.S. and Europe. If we look at the rates for minority women we see an even grimmer picture with only 0.27% of black women founders receiving VC funding in 2021. Without that funding it can be incredibly difficult, and even impossible, for female founders to grow their businesses and compete with larger companies.Female founders also face a unique set of challenges that result from unconscious bias, lack of community and mentorship, and many are juggling a caregiving role alongside their professional responsibilities. Not to mention the fact that our cultural conditioning may affect our confidence, or decrease our ability to maintain a sense of internal safety when engaging in the risk taking behaviors that are often required of successful founders.My guest on this week’s episode is on a mission to help female founders overcome these obstacles and defeat the odds. Emmie Faust is a mum of 4, serial exited founder, Dragon’s Den winner and founder of Female Founders Rise. Through her company, Female Founders Rise, she’s helping to empower female founders and provide them with the resources and support needed to secure funding and everything else they need to successfully grow their companies.‌Find Emmie Online:Emmie’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmiefaust/Female Founders Rise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/female-founders-rise/Female Founders Rise website: Female Founders Rise‌Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/‌If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Entrepreneur life can sometimes feel like you’re on a boat out at sea with one storm after another raining down and no life preserver in sight. When you’re in the thick of it, it may feel tempting to call it quits, head for shore, and return to corporate life.But what if you’re a social entrepreneur and your company’s mission is close to your heart? What if throwing in the towel isn’t an option because you know firsthand how much the world needs what your company has to offer?Founding a company designed to solve a problem that your family has been affected by, especially if it’s one that you continue to be affected by today, brings with it its own set of challenges. Even if you decide to walk away from the company, the mission will still be front and center in your life.That being said, as you’ll learn from our guest in today’s episode, there’s nothing like having a big “WHY” driving your company’s mission to help you to weather the storms of entrepreneurial life and recover from the inevitable setbacks. Prepare to get inspired by our guest, Pam Durant, who made the decision to step out of her comfort zone and leave corporate life behind, all for the greater good.Pam is a certified health coach, and social entrepreneur, and founder of Diapoint, a social entrepreneurship startup that supports those touched by diabetes. Driven by the lack of support and information when her son was diagnosed with Type1 Diabetes at just 20 months old in 2009, Pam left a successful 20-year corporate career in 2016 as a healthcare manager and consultant to create Diapoint to support and empower others experiencing diabetes or caretaking for someone with diabetes.We cover a lot of topics in this conversation in addition to weathering the storms as a social entrepreneur. Tune in to hear Pam’s tips for overcoming fears and self-doubt, the unique challenges experienced by female founders, what it means to “show up” for your team, and more. You’re sure to get inspired by her story of resilience and turning adversity into advocacy as a social entrepreneur.Find Pam and Diapoint online:Diapoint WebsiteDiapoint Shop websitePam’s Health Coaching websiteDiapoint InstagramDiapoint Facebook Diapoint TwitterPam’s Health Coaching InstagramPam’s Health Coaching Facebook Pam’s Health Coaching TwitterConnect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Loneliness is prevalent amongst entrepreneurs, especially in the fast paced, high pressure world of startups. You’re often working alone, and even when you have a team you might feel pressure to show up as a polished and perfect leader for your team members.Not to mention the fact that many founders don’t have prior experience as leaders so the new leadership role may compound the feelings of loneliness. As a founder it’s likely you’ll at times find yourself feeling isolated and that no one understands your vision or your struggles.Founding a startup is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do and adding loneliness on top of that makes it more challenging than it needs to be. As our guest in episode 3 shares with us, loneliness is a natural human emotion, but there are steps you can take to combat loneliness as a founder and ensure that it doesn’t affect your mental health.Vassia Sarantopoulou is the Founder, CEO and Head Psychologist of AntiLoneliness, a company offering mental health services in The Netherlands and also worldwide. She is also a Mental Health Educator, promoting Inner Peace, Mental Strength and Healthy Relationships with others and with our Self.Through AntiLoneliness and her team of psychologists, she offers individual, couples or groups sessions to those who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, burnout, loneliness, relationship issues, transition/change, expat life.Connect with Vassia online:AntiLoneliness websiteLinkedIn - Vassia's profileLinkedIn- AntiLoneliness pageInstagramYouTubeFacebookConnect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Founding a startup is not for the faint of heart. You’re surrounded by stressors - a fast paced environment, financial pressure, competition, and not to mention a high risk that your company will ultimately fail. Around 90% of startups fail, with 10% failing within the first year. However, no one starts a company with this in mind, and dealing with the stress of startup life coupled with a failing company, is likely to affect a founder’s mental health. Many founders struggle to take on the role of a founder again after experiencing startup failure and burnout.In this week's episode of the Founders' Fears & Failures podcast, we welcome Josu Garcia de Albizu, a second time founder who's no stranger to the challenges of entrepreneurship. Josu shares his story of experiencing startup failure and burnout. Join us as we dive into the story of how he bounced back from a failed company, the lessons he learned and the strategies he’s using to maintain his mental and emotional well-being as a second time founder.Josu is a seasoned product leader, originally from Spain, with more than 12 years of international experience in product management and software development. He has worked in companies such as Telefonica, Applause, and Deutsche Bahn, creating innovative products with a social impact and building cross-functional teams from scratch.His current role is as the Chief Product Officer and co-Founder of Likeminded, a Berlin-based digital health startup that provides employees with fast, easy, and secure access to various, high-quality mental health care formats.Josu’s first experience as a co-founder was at Wiffinity, a mobile platform that provided free WiFi to tourists, which he co-founded in 2013. His time as co-founder could be described as an “emotional rollercoaster ride” that lasted until the European Union announced the end of roaming charges in 2016, making Wi-Fi businesses less interesting for investors.Whether or not you’ve experienced startup failure and burnout yourself, Josu’s story is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the journey of entrepreneurship with resilience and determination.Find Josu online:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josugarcia/Website: garciadealbizu.com.LikeMinded website: https://www.likeminded.care/enConnect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Episode 1 of the Founders’ Fears & Failures podcast introduces you to your host, Dr. Melissa Parks as she shares more about herself, her passion for the world of entrepreneurship, and what inspired her to start this podcast. You’ll also hear more about what you can look forward to in upcoming episodes. You can find the full transcript of the show at melissparks.com/01-founders-mental-healthBe sure to subscribe so you’re notified of all new episodes and share on social media with anyone who you think might be interested.‌Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.‌

Being the founder of a startup can feel like being on an emotional rollercoaster suspended between two skyscrapers. The highs can make you feel on top of the world, but the lows can be devastating.These ups and downs of entrepreneur life are hard enough as it is, but they can become overwhelming, and for some unbearable, when you think you’re the only one struggling, or when you start wondering if something is wrong with you for feeling the way you do.Founders’ Fears & Failures, is a weekly podcast aimed at normalizing mental health struggles and redefining failure in the startup ecosystem. Join me, Dr. Melissa Parks, an entrepreneur, former therapist, and mindset coach for ambitious professionals, as I interview founders, investors, mentors, and experts around the globe. Learn from their personal experiences, and the valuable insights and strategies they share for how to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.This show will cover all sorts of issues related to the behind-the-scenes of entrepreneur life: dealing with stress, burnout and mental health struggles, juggling the competing demands of personal and professional life, coping with the inevitable setbacks and failures that are part of the entrepreneurial journey, and more.Whether you’re a founder, an investor, someone connected to the startup world, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this podcast is for you. Tune in for a new episode each Tuesday as we shine a light on the fears and failures that come with starting, and growing, a business, and learn how to turn them into opportunities for growth and success.Want to get in touch? Find me on:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/Website: https://melissaparks.com/