{"id":192228,"date":"2022-10-15T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2022-10-15T00:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/?p=192228"},"modified":"2022-10-17T16:26:21","modified_gmt":"2022-10-17T08:26:21","slug":"entrepreneurs-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/entrepreneurs-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"We aren’t all Iron Men and Iron Ladies! Entrepeneurs discuss their mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here at Honeycombers, we love entrepreneurs and small business owners \u2013 which is why we\u2019ve created\u00a0Launchpad<\/a>, a networking<\/a> platform that encourages connection and business support. As our community<\/a> grows, it’s becoming more apparent that the entrepreneurship journey isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Some of us deal with pre-existing mental health conditions, while others may develop symptoms when trying to build a business \u2013 but how does mental health and entrepreneurship affect each other? We explore the relationship between the two as the incredible female founders of Launchpad (including myself!) share our authentic and vulnerable experiences.<\/p>\n

Let’s talk about entrepreneurs’ mental health<\/h2>\n

Simran Mohinani, Founder of Mohlia<\/h3>\n
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Find out how Simran Mohinani of Mohlia gets it done (Photography: Kate Bolgarova)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Growing up as an avid daydreamer and creative thinker, I always knew I was a little “different”, but it wasn’t until I was 12 when I got diagnosed with anxiety. On one hand, anxiety has been like fuel to me when it comes to my work at Mohlia; it gives me adrenaline and pushes me to get to the end of the day. On the other hand, the cracks showed at the start of this year, when my inner child was screaming for release. I realised I’d been neglecting myself; I was beginning to burn out, and my anxiety and depression were getting out of hand. It\u2019s like having diabetes, yet thinking you can get away with your insulin levels going all over the place everyday \u2013 there will be long-term consequences.<\/p>\n

I don’t think mental health defines us, but I do believe it’s important for entrepreneurs to prioritise our mental wellbeing. In my case, I began spending more time with my family and friends. I also loved playing with my dog and went travelling. These activities proved to be very helpful and I’m continuing to incorporate them into my daily life. I feel I’ve become stronger and am performing better at work, as I’m able to dedicate my full, healthy self into my passion and purpose.<\/p>\n

Check out how Simran Mohinani gets it done like a boss<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Find out more about Mohlia<\/a> and get in touch with Simran Mohinani on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yinki Wong, Founder of Yin-Ki Wellness & Coaching<\/h3>\n
\"How
Launchpad member Yin-ki Wong shares her journey as an entrepreneur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the biggest lessons I learned in high school (which has since carried over to my business at Yin-Ki Wellness) is to put my own mental health at the forefront. Growing up, I always put my own needs below everything else \u2013 grades, my parents’ emotions and expectations, and whatnot. I called this the “Harvard Energy”, but it didn\u2019t allow me to express myself creatively. It took being diagnosed with depression and going through the recovery period to realise nothing is worth sacrificing my mental health for.<\/p>\n

These experiences were instrumental in why I started my business. While clinical recovery was helpful, my holistic actions were also beneficial, be it practising movement (specifically yoga or spinning), receiving coaching or sound healing, or meditating. They made me realise that not every modality works for everyone, thus I focused on building a business that could offer people alternatives.<\/p>\n

My advice for those who are struggling with mental health, especially those in the entrepreneurial space, is to seek help<\/a>. I would never discredit or push anyone away from seeking clinical help, including medication and seeing a therapist. As a coach, I also recommend people to try reconnecting with their inner child. Speaking to yourself as if you were 10 increases empathy and helps you identify the areas that need care, love, and support. In addition, I’d suggest finding a good support system \u2013 it can be your family, friends, or anyone in your network that you feel close to.<\/p>\n

Take a look at how Yinki Wong gets it done like a boss<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Find out more about Yin-Ki Wellness & Coaching<\/a> and get in touch with Yinki Wong on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Maria Frances Marinay, Co-founder of Beige Social<\/h3>\n
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It’s important for entrepreneurs to prioritise their mental health (Photography: Maria Frances Marinay)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Growing up, I didn\u2019t have the understanding or the language to describe my emotional experiences. I remember my first panic attack happened in math class, when I couldn\u2019t answer a question and started crying; I couldn\u2019t breathe and the ordeal didn\u2019t stop until I got home. This was the first indication that I had anxiety. It wasn’t until university and moving to the UK did I start to comprehend my situation and begin to manage it.<\/p>\n

I started my company, a social media agency called Beige Social, with the aim to support conscious businesses. With entrepreneurship, especially as you\u2019re doing something that you\u2019re passionate about, you\u2019re expected to hustle. Work hours expand from just 9 to 5 to 24\/7, so I\u2019ve found it essential to build in boundaries, both with my team and my clients. That’s not quite the norm in Asia yet, where the hustle culture is insane. Still, my favourite quote currently is \u201cno is a full sentence\u201d.<\/p>\n

Moreover, I’ve found that entrepreneurship can be quite fluid; it can be freeing or terrifying, depending on your personality. For me, I\u2019ve needed to implement a schedule but also recognise the need for flexibility, and factor it in. Finally, I’ve also had to schedule in self-care, be it yoga, meditation, or journalling. I write three things I’m grateful for everyday, and I find it super helpful to look back at them when I am depressed or anxious.<\/p>\n

Read how Maria Frances Marinay gets it done like a boss<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Find out more about Beige Social<\/a> and get in touch with Maria Frances Marinay on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sarah Vee, Founder of Women of Hong Kong<\/h3>\n
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Photography: Sarah Vee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It took feeling suicidal for me to finally confront my mental health. While on most days I’m able to manage my imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and PTSD from prior relationships, I can lose grasp of logic and reality, and act impulsively when my emotions are triggered. This has caused me to lose opportunities and people I love. Since then,\u00a0I started looking for ways to cope with my mental health issues and create a better life \u2013 a better version of myself.<\/p>\n

During the journey, I\u2019ve developed a love for psychology which helped me identify the reasoning behind my thoughts, develop the right tools to navigate them, and separate myself from my emotions when necessary. This has been imperative in my work as well. With Women of Hong Kong, I’ve not only given myself more space and understanding, it’s also allowed me to be more empathetic towards others. I’ve learned to create a safe space for people I work with, so that they can have the confidence to be honest and vulnerable.<\/p>\n

My advice for entrepreneurs struggling with mental health would be to invest in your mind and mental wellbeing, and to truly understand who you are. Work on the areas that hold you back, exercise self-awareness, and don\u2019t live life on autopilot \u2013 just because you’re used to something, or was raised to do things a certain way, doesn\u2019t mean there isn\u2019t a better way. Furthermore, recognising that everyone is different and discovering what really<\/em> works for you can change the course of your success. A successful business requires successful connections and relationships, and you cannot attain them if you don\u2019t have a good relationship with yourself \u2013 so start right here.<\/p>\n

Find out more about Women of Hong Kong<\/a> and get in touch with Sarah Vee on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kopal Manglik, Content and Community Support Manager of Launchpad<\/h3>\n
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A post shared by Kopal Manglik (@andshedoes)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n