Entrepreneurship: The Challenges and Rewards

I recently read the Inc.com article The Psychological Price of Entrepreneurship and I was amazed at how much it resonated with me. MtoM is not a multi-million dollar tech start-up but we have experienced incredible growth and expansion over the past year and I know the stress can often feel overwhelming. It was reassuring to know that I am not alone and that there are lessons to be learned to avoid extremes and to not be overwhelmed by depression or anxiety.

When I read biographies about great entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos I feel very turned off by the extreme behavior that seems to dictate that ultimate level of business success. I couldn’t even imagine working to the point of little family interaction and not taking into account the emotional component of my relationships with employees. I don’t want to become an unfeeling and maniacally driven CEO, yet I also feel a drive to work at a compulsive rate that I had to pull back on about a year ago. I know that the business may not grow as quickly, but I also will not miss seeing my children in these young years that I will never get back.

Despite my own regulation of work/life balance, I constantly have a sense of anxiety and stress around the success of MtoM and the day to day operations. Will clients pay on time, will I be able to pay on time, should we invest in this new software, can we afford to attend that conference- how could we afford not to if we want to grow. Those thoughts and many more can consume me to the point of exhaustion. About a year and half into running MtoM I went to see my psychiatrist and told him that I just couldn’t take it another day. I knew I was happier than I had ever been doing the work I was doing, but the anxiety was too much. He and I worked out a plan that has saved me- the anxiety isn’t gone, but it is manageable. My expectations for growth are more realistic and my personal expectations are too.

I often meet entrepreneurs that are amazed by our growth at MtoM and I caution them to take their own business at a pace that works for their mental health. Success can be measured in many ways and it isn’t always in annual revenue. I believe this is also even more important for women entrepreneurs that are balancing a leading role in the home and as mothers as well as leading a company. I am in this position and I have to rely heavily on my business partner and my husband to help me stay mentally in check. I also have to take time away for myself to regroup. This article reminded me that I need to make time for physical exercise and to be sure to eat well also. The good news is that I am up in my happiest place on Earth, Cape Cod, and I am going to be taking some time at the beach to regroup and center myself!