Founders' Fears & Failures

“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.”I was reminded of this quote towards the end of last year and made the incredibly difficult decision to end this podcast.Last year was a challenging year for me with lots of collisions between my personal life and entrepreneur life happening behind the scenes. This podcast was an important source of inspiration for me during that time and I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through the year without it.However, I’ve realized I need to lean into the flexible aspect of my own entrepreneur career and that unfortunately requires taking some things off my plate, including this podcast.In this final episode I share more about the challenging year I faced in 2023, including secondary infertility and loss, and share some of the lessons I learned along the way thanks to this show.I’m so grateful to all of my guests who have come on the show in the past year. As well as my listeners for tuning in and supporting the show. If you’re just listening to this podcast for the first time, I encourage you to go back and listen to previous episodes. There are a ton of great gems in each conversation.Also, a huge thank you to my podcast editor Ineke Camille of Zourit Solutions. I credit her for helping me enter into the world of podcasting and for preserving my mental health along the way. This show wouldn’t have been possible without her!I’ll continue to take on coaching clients as well so if you’re interested in working together please reach out via my website at http://melissaparks.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 executive 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 delighted to introduce you to Kelly Redmon Loo, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) specializing in Autism.We dive into how Kelly developed her passion for working with autistic clients, as well as her journey towards being diagnosed as AuDHD (autism and ADHD). We’ll talk about masking and unmasking, how autism, particularly in women, often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its unique manifestations.Kelly also shares insights on why neurodivergent individuals may feel 'unemployable', how entrepreneurship can be a liberating path for many and how she overcomes some of the challenges that come with being a neurodivergent entrepreneur.We’ll also explore the nuances of occupational versus autistic burnout, and how you can take care of yourself if you’re experiencing autistic burnout.And if you’re wondering if you might be on the spectrum, Kelly offers practical advice on next steps, including seeking a formal diagnosis or finding peace in self-diagnosisKelly is the founder and owner of Seven Seas Counseling, an innovative online therapy practice where she focuses on providing support to autistic adults, individuals dealing with chronic pain, and those facing various illnesses.Her expertise extends to assessments and late diagnoses of autism, where she assists clients in navigating the complexities of a late diagnosis and collaborates with them to create personalized lives that cater to their unique needs. Kelly is dedicated to helping individuals unmask, discover their authentic paths, and fulfill their potential.In addition to her clinical work, Kelly plays a vital role in the professional development of therapists. She offers training and clinical supervision to those eager to expand their knowledge in working with autistic adults, contributing to the growth of the therapeutic community.She also  runs an online autistic women's+ support group and is in the process of developing a group curriculum centered around autistic burnout.Currently residing in Arlington, Va, Kelly enjoys a fulfilling personal life in the company of her husband, Siberian cat- Iquitos, and four rescue guinea pigs. She is an active member and advocate of online chronic illness/pain communities and raises awareness of several rare chronic conditions that often overlap with autism. Her interests beyond her work include traveling, being near the ocean whenever she can, and fostering animals.She is Audhd herself (autism + ADHD) and her current special interests include sewing, memoir writing, and going new places with her husband and their cat.Whether you're neurodivergent, wondering if you’re neurodivergent,  know someone who is, or are simply here to learn, this episode is packed with eye-opening perspectives and valuable takeaways.Be sure to check out the episode webpage for an extensive list of resources from this episode!Find Kelly online:Website: https://www.sevenseascounseling.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seven_seas_counseling/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/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 su

In this episode I’m delighted to introduce to you an inspiring founder who is working to revolutionize the freelance industry and improve the working conditions and ultimately help prevent burnout amongst freelancers around the globe.Karl Swanepoel is the CEO & Founder of Revolancer Beta, a platform that aims to help independent professionals and freelancers exchange their skills to build their service businesses. Karl's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age when he encountered the challenges faced by freelancers.With this problem in mind, he created Revolancer in his last year in Aberystwyth and won the startup competition he was in, securing funding from a VC capital a few months after.Today, Karll spearheads a passionate and dynamic team at Revolancer, driven by a shared mission to revolutionise the freelance industry and empower freelancers worldwide with renewed autonomy and opportunities.In this episode we talk about why Karl is so passionate about the Revolancer mission, what helps him to be the best leader he can be for his time, and how he prioritizes his mental health to avoid burnout that so many founders fall victim to.‌Find Karl online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlswa/Revolancer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revolancerKarl’s Website: https://karlswanepoel.com/about/Revolancer’s Website: https://beta.revolancer.com/‌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/Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive 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 episode I’m excited to introduce you to Aaron Chatterly, an exited serial founder who, having sold his beauty retailer to Sephora in 2021, is living the dream so many founders aspire to when they start their companies. However,  in this episode we’re going to be talking not only about the highs, but also some of the lows he’s experienced along the way and what’s helped him stay optimistic and resilient through it all.Aaron co-Founded beauty retailer feelunique in 2005. feelunique was Europe's leading premium online beauty retailer with 80,000 health and beauty products from over 900 major brands such as Chanel, Estee Lauder, bareMinerals, Dior, Clinique, Decléor, Benefit, YSL and Lancôme.He led a partial sale of the business to Private Equity in 2012, and in September 2021 sold the company to LVMH/Sephora. Aaron has recently launched a new teen beauty brand called indu. He is also an independent Director of Nasdaq listed beauty acquisition company Waldencast, a non-Executive Director of Digital Jersey and an Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust Women Supporting Women. He was voted one of the 50 most powerful people in Online Retail for 2014 by Retail Week, IoD Director of the Year for a Large Organisation 2013 and finalist in the UK Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012.We cover a wide range of topics in this interview including how Aaron and his business partner broke into the competitive beauty industry, how he stays optimistic and resilient despite the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship, and his experience of selling his company and the lessons he learned along the way.We also explore some of the mental health challenges he’s faced, how he juggles family life alongside the demands of entrepreneurship, and how being a parent to twin teen girls inspired his next business venture.Find Aaron online:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronchatterley/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaronchatterleyYou can learn more about Indu, Aaron’s recently launched teen beauty brand - http://www.indu.meConnect 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 executive 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.

Founders Taboo is a UK-based startup working to increase awareness, access, and affordability of support for startup founder mental health and well-being. They aim to solve the problem of founder well-being at scale in order to disrupt the entire startup ecosystem’s view on this topic. They’re building the world’s largest online community and resource hub offering psychoeducation, online support, and connections to providers specialized in offering treatment and crisis support specifically for founders. In addition to online offerings they also offer regular retreats for founders. All of this is available to founders at any stage, anywhere in the world, and you’ll find a link to join below.With a track record in building world-class accelerators and applied academic research, Janos Barberis has seen first-hand how prioritising the health of the founder is critical to the performance, success and continuity of one’s venture. Janos has turned lived experience into pioneering a movement to build a healthier, more fruitful startup ecosystem with founder wellbeing, mental health and performance at the core.With a background rooted in psychology, Annabelle works at the intersection of psychology, entrepreneurship and performance, and the relationships between these. Through the Founders Taboo movement, she is working to improve the provision of and access to wellbeing support for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. Collaborating with experts, researchers, and key ecosystem stakeholders, Annabelle and Founders Taboo are driving for a healthier, more sustainable startup ecosystem.As you’ll hear Janos say in this interview “the world needs more entrepreneurship, not less.” However, we also need to ensure that founders are able to grow their businesses without harming their mental health and relationships, which is exactly what Founders Taboo is aiming to do.In our conversation you’ll learn about Janos lived experience that inspired him to start Founders Taboo, Annabelle’s observations on the challenges faced by the founders supported by Founders Taboo, and the ambitious and inspiring ways in which Founders Taboo is working to support founders and shift the global conversation around founder mental health amongst all key players in the startup ecosystem.Any founder can sign up to Founders Taboo, the free online community and resource-hub tailored to entrepreneur wellbeing. Registration form: https://airtable.com/shrg17RA65wjUBi5iFind Annabelle, Janos, and Founders Taboo online:Founders Taboo website: https://www.founderstaboo.comFounders Taboo on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/founders-tabooJanos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janosbarberis/Annabelle on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/annabelle-cameronConnect 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 executive 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-be

In this episode, I’m introducing you to an inspiring femtech founder, Olivia Ochowski. In a previous chapter, Olivia worked as personal trainer, women's health coach, and doula. Today, as the founder and CEO of Femtek, Olivia introduces the first Basal Body Ring designed for women's menstrual health; all while they sleep.I absolutely loved Olivia’s story because it’s not the typical startup founder story, and it’s certainly not the typical story of a tech founder. Olivia’s entrepreneur story started as a personal trainer and owner of a gym which introduced her to a gap in the women’s health market, particularly in relation to cycle and body literacy.In this episode we talk about the challenges Olivia has faced as a non-technical tech founder and how she’s overcome then, as well as how her years of working 1:1 with women gives her a competitive advantage. We also discussed the mistakes she’s made along the way, what she’d do differently if she could go back in time (and why she’s grateful this isn’t an option).The podcast is shifting from weekly to biweekly episodes. You can expect new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month!Find Olivia online:‌Femtek website: www.femtek.coOlivia’s website: http://www.oliviaorchowski.comOlivia’s instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theliftingdoulaFemtek instagram: http://www.instagram.com/fem.tekOlivia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-orchowski/‌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/Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

Your host, Melissa Parks, shares her reflections on the first 24 episodes of the Founders' Fears & Failures podcast. She shares some common themes guests have spoken about, lessons she’s learned as the host of this podcast, and a sneak peak at some of the guests to look forward to in future episodes.The Founders' Fears & Failures podcast will be taking a short break in August 2023, but will be back on September 5, 2023 with more weekly episodes.If you’re an ambitious entrepreneur who wants to take proactive action to care for your mental well-being, Melissa is accepting new 1:1 coaching clients starting in August 2023. She helps her clients to be successful and make an impact without burning out or damaging their relationships along the way. Her approach is unique to each client, and uses evidence based techniques to help improve their psychological flexibility so they can make better decisions, lead with greater emotional intelligence, and improve their ability to manage stressful situations.Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit to work on improving your mental fitness and building emotional resilience: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/‌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/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.

This week on the show I’m introducing you to Mike Buonaiuto, exited founder and author of the recently released book, Founder Therapy.Mike is a philanthropic business leader and performance coach, who founded, scaled and exited Shape History, the award-winning social impact agency. ​ He's currently a senior advisor; helping companies nurture their people, navigate growth and negotiate pivotal moments of transformation.His book Founder Therapy was published June 2023 and explores why founders are more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and burnout. His TEDx talk, ‘No wonder people are quitting - business must do better’ was selected and featured by TED’s Editor picks. Mike supports Virgin Startup as their ‘Entrepreneur In Residence’ and NatWest’s Business Accelerator as their ‘Business Startup Coach.​’In this conversation we explore Mike’s own journey as an entrepreneur, including an experience with burnout that almost cost him his life. We also discuss the inspiration behind writing his book, why its essential for founders to care about their own mental health, and that of their team, and how founders and leaders can innovate without burning out along the way.TW: In this episode there’s a mention of suicidal ideation so please decide if this is the right episode for you or not.FOUNDER THERAPY: 50 Lessons To Start, Scale & Sell Without Wounding Our Wellbeing. In partnership with NatWest, Unrest and Founders Taboo, Founder Therapy pulls together research from neuroscience, with experience from top-performing entrepreneurs, to present 50 lessons to start, scale, sell without wounding our wellbeing.The book also presents the case for a proven link between effective stress-management and commercial success. It's specific, due to my background, in comms and marketing business, particularly scaling and selling an agency. The project is in response to research from UCSF, linking higher rates of mental health issues to success-driven entrepreneurship.Learn more about Mike’s book here: https://www.mikebuonaiuto.com/founder-therapyGet your copy of Mike’s book, “Founder Therapy” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1781337985/Learn more about Founders Taboo:https://www.founderstaboo.com/Find Mike online:‌Website: https://www.mikebuonaiuto.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/mike_shapes/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-buonaiuto/‌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/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.

Nearly 40% of entrepreneurs have one or more diagnosable mental health condition, 3% of entrepreneurs had made suicide attempts and 1.7% had a history of psychiatric hospitalization. It’s essential that we continue to destigmatize entrepreneur mental health vulnerabilities so that entrepreneurs feel less alone and that treatment options continue to grow.This week on the show I’m honored to share with you my conversation with a leading researcher on the topic of entrepreneur mental health. Michael A. Freeman, M.D. is a psychiatrist, serial entrepreneur, entrepreneur mental health researcher, and founder of Econa. Econa is an entrepreneur mental health center of excellence that builds scalable mental health and wellbeing solutions for founders.In this episode you’ll also learn that the very differences that make entrepreneurs more vulnerable to mental health challenges can also be part of their strengths, or according to Dr. Freeman, their “superpowers.” Caring for any mental health vulnerabilities is essential in order to ensure you can leverage these strengths and continue on in the marathon that is entrepreneur life.In this conversation we cover a wide range of topics related to entrepreneur mental health including what makes the entrepreneur brain unique, for better or for worse, why having empirical research on entrepreneur mental health is so important for shifting the conversation in the larger startup ecosystem and allowing for the advancement of treatment options, and Dr. Freeman’s two step approach for entrepreneurs who want to make sure they’re prioritizing their own mental health and well-being.‌Find Dr. Freeman online:‌Econa website: http://www.econa.netLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfreemanmd/‌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/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.

Successfully navigating cofounder conflict is an important, yet often overlooked, topic which directly impacts the success and sustainability of startups. When conflicts arise between cofounders, it can disrupt the entire organization's functioning and hinder progress. Startups are already operating in high-pressure environments, with limited resources and tight timelines. In such circumstances, the presence of unresolved conflicts among cofounders can exacerbate stress levels, create a toxic work environment, and impede effective decision-making.Understanding and addressing cofounder conflict allows entrepreneurs to proactively mitigate the risks associated with internal tensions, foster healthy relationships, and optimize their chances of achieving their business objectives.This week on the show I’m introducing you to an expert on the topic of navigating cofounder conflict. Dr. Matthew Jones is a startup executive psychologist and coach to entrepreneurs. He’s worked with founders backed by many of the big-name VCs like Y Combinator, Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, and more. He specializes in helping cofounding teams improve their communication, teamwork, and decision-making.In this episode, we explore what Matt has found drives much of the conflict amongst cofounding teams, how he helps his clients to navigate these challenges, and more.Be sure to download Matt’s free e-book, “Stop Cofounder Conflict” - Stop Cofounder ConflictFind Matt online:Free eBook, “Stop Cofounder Conflict”: https://stopcofounderconflict.comWebsite: https://cofounderclarity.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/Dr_MatthewJonesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-matthew-jones-7a832a37‌Connect 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.

What role does creativity have in your life as a founder? Do you make sure you find ways to protect and prioritize it?In this week’s episode I’m introducing you to Tova Safra, a solopreneur turned tech startup co-founder. In this episode we dive into the importance of creativity in her life, why she thinks entrepreneurs should embrace shiny object syndrome, and the importance of having a social infrastructure when you’re working alone.Tova is Cofounder & Chief Design Officer (CDO) at Groove, a digital coworking space. Her expertise is in research-backed design, incorporating qualitative feedback and collaborating with people who use the technology she helps create.Tova has two decades of experience designing all sorts of things people like to use, from textiles to apps, and is also a digital artist working with new technologies. Before cofounding Groove, she worked for large corporates, teeny start ups, and then as a solopreneur.She believes the world would be a much friendlier place if we all gave each other just a little bit more space to be creative in it. Originally from NY, she lives in Jerusalem with her family.Currently, you need to apply and get on a waitlist if you want to join Groove’s digital coworking space, but as a listener of the podcast Tova is giving you the chance to go straight in and start co-working right away (and connect with her) through her personal invite link: https://wegroov.in/share/mdZWFind Tova online:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tovasafra/The Groove blog: https://blog.groove.ooo/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/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/

This week’s guest is a trailblazer in the field of entrepreneur mental health. She started working to shift the conversation on this important topic nearly a decade ago, when no one else was talking about, and despite receiving some pushback around it which she shares about in the interview.Kristin Darga, is the CEO and founder of Black Label Coaching and Impact Founder. She’s a keynote speaker, award-winning author, and health, performance, global incident response, crisis, executive and recovery coach. She has worked with over 500 entrepreneurs, executives, and individuals desiring personal growth to unravel their blocks and create successes. As a six-time founder, she also understands firsthand entrepreneurship's highly satisfying yet distressing road.Kristin is revered as an expert in mental health and entrepreneurship. She published Impact Founder Book of photos and short written Stories in 2017. She also co-authored a scoping review with the University of Alberta, "Depression among entrepreneurs: a scoping review".After a decade studying, coaching and intimately interviewing hundreds of founders, she is positioned as an leading expert in founder depression, wellness and burnout.It’s a huge honor to have Kristin on the show with us this week to share her experience as a trailblazer in this field. We talk not only about what she’s observed in her work with entrepreneurs, but also difficult moments she’s faced firsthand as a business owner including long covid, burnout, panic attacks, as well as what’s helped her to take care of herself and recover from these challenging times.I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!Find Kristin online:Website: https://www.impactfounder.com/ and https://www.blacklabelcoaching.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfounder/ and https://www.instagram.com/kristindarga/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristindarga/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/impact-founder/about/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 Melissa’s weekly email to receive podcast updates, behind the scenes glimpses of her own experience on the entrepreneur rollercoaster, as well as self-care tips for you to try: https://melissaparks.com/podcast/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/

Entrepreneur life is full of uncertainty and things that are outside of our control. Being a successful founder requires to you to find ways to thrive amidst this inevitable chaos.In this week’s episode, I’m introducing you to some of the tools that I’ve found incredibly helpful for my clients, and myself, in learning how to cope with this uncertainty - mindfulness and self-compassion.Some people are turned off when they hear about mindfulness or self-compassion, which is understandable, but not a sign that these practices aren’t for you. In this episode I’ll also share with you some of my own reservations when I started to practice these skills, why it’s so normal to have knee-jerk “no” reaction to practicing them, and what I tell my clients to help them stay open minded and give mindfulness and self-compassion a try. I hope you’ll stay open to learning more and deciding if you want to experiment with these skills yourself.In the words of mindfulness teacher, Jon Kabat Zinn, “you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” As a founder you can’t stop those waves, but you can learn tools to make sure they don’t pull you under. In other words, in order to stay in this game for the long run, it’s essential to learn ways to increase your emotional resilience and mental fitness such as mindfulness and self-compassion. I hope you enjoy the introduction to these practices in this week’s episodeA huge thank you to my podcast producer, Ineke Camille of Zourit Solutions, for helping me to get creative with this week’s show!‌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/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.

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.