Nurturing Mental Wellness: Insights from Entrepreneur Constanza

Being an entrepreneur is an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities, challenges, and the pursuit of success. However, amidst the excitement, it is crucial to prioritize mental wellness. In this article, we dive into the experiences and advice of Constanza, an entrepreneur who has successfully navigated the business world while maintaining her mental well-being.

Originally from Italy, Constanza Casullo has managed her day job as an office worker and established a remote business called Devkenya. Devkenya aims to connect Kenyan web developers with clients across the African continent, focusing on Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. Their services range from company websites and e-commerce platforms to mobile apps, SEO, and website redesign.

When asked about the rewards and challenges of running her own business, Constanza acknowledges the positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, she finds immense satisfaction in witnessing a website come to life and observing how it benefits businesses. However, she also highlights the constant time constraints, expressing a desire for more than 24 hours daily. This limitation can be frustrating, but Constanza remains determined to overcome it.

A vision of the future drives Constanza’s entrepreneurial journey. She envisions a world where the efforts she puts into her business will be worthwhile. She believes East Africa will significantly shape this new world with its burgeoning tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Drawing from her experiences, Constanza offers valuable advice to fellow entrepreneurs, particularly in managing their mental well-being. Here are two key insights she shares:

Managing Communication Overload: Constanza advises entrepreneurs not to let the constant influx of WhatsApp messages overwhelm them. In her experience, people in Rwanda tend to rely heavily on WhatsApp for business communication. She emphasizes that entrepreneurs are not obligated to respond immediately. Taking a few hours to reply will not determine a business’s long-term success or failure. Constanza suggests having a separate phone number dedicated solely to business matters or even deactivating notifications to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Embrace Clarity in Communication: To avoid living in a state of uncertainty, Constanza emphasizes the importance of clear communication with clients. For instance, when a client mentions calling in the afternoon, she advises asking for a specific time. Similarly, if a client promises to send the required materials, she recommends setting a deadline. By proactively seeking clarity, entrepreneurs can avoid unnecessary ambiguity and maintain a sense of control over their work.

Entrepreneurship is a rewarding yet demanding journey that requires careful attention to mental wellness. Constanza’s experiences and advice shed light on the importance of managing communication overload and embracing clarity in business interactions. By prioritizing mental well-being, entrepreneurs can navigate the challenges of running a business while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.