Insights from Entrepreneurs

Nurturing Mental Wellbeing: Insights from Entrepreneurs

Nurturing Mental Wellbeing: Insights from Entrepreneurs


We have the privilege of hearing from entrepreneurs who have grappled with the challenges of maintaining their mental health amidst the demands of their ventures. These firsthand accounts will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for coping with the unique pressures entrepreneurs face.

Hearing from Entrepreneurs: Shared Experiences in Mental Wellbeing


Nurturing Mental Wellness: Insights from Entrepreneur Constanza

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.


Nurturing Mental Wellness: Insights from Entrepreneur Claudine

Nurturing Mental Wellness: Insights from Entrepreneur Claudine

In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, maintaining good mental well-being is crucial. We often find ourselves caught up in the demands of work and life, leaving little time for self-care. However, entrepreneur Claudine shares some valuable insights on how to prioritize mental wellness and find balance amidst the challenges.

One of Claudine’s key pieces of advice is to incorporate exercise into our routines. While it may seem difficult to find the time, even a regular exercise routine can have a profound impact on our overall well-being. Physical activity not only helps to relax the body but also clears the mind, allowing us to recharge and refocus. So, whenever possible, make it a point to engage in exercise and experience the positive effects it can have on your mood and energy levels.

Another important aspect of nurturing mental wellness, according to Claudine, is to connect and laugh with friends and family. Taking time to socialize and share moments of joy can be a great way to escape from work-related stress. Laughter has a remarkable ability to alleviate tension and boost our mood. By surrounding ourselves with loved ones and engaging in lighthearted activities, we can process our emotions, recharge our batteries, and feel supported.

Claudine also emphasizes the importance of taking breaks from technology. In today’s digital age, we are constantly bombarded with notifications and the pressure to be constantly connected. However, Claudine suggests taking a day off and disconnecting from phones and social media platforms. This intentional break allows our minds and bodies to relax, providing much-needed respite from the demands of work and technology overload.

Navigating through challenging times is an inevitable part of life, and Claudine acknowledges this reality. To overcome these hardships, she advises setting priorities and seeking help and support from work partners. By effectively managing tasks and delegating responsibilities, we can alleviate some of the burdens and create a more balanced work-life dynamic.

Claudine also shares her personal experience with anxiety, a common challenge faced by entrepreneurs. The constant concern about business performance, competition, and innovation can take a toll on mental well-being. However, Claudine encourages entrepreneurs to embrace self-reflection and find ways to channel their anxiety into motivation for growth and improvement.

Nurturing mental wellness is essential for overall well-being, especially in the entrepreneurial world. Claudine’s insights remind us of the importance of incorporating exercise, connecting with loved ones, taking breaks from technology, and seeking support when needed. By prioritizing mental wellness, we can navigate the challenges of work and life with greater resilience and find a sense of balance and fulfillment.


Mental Wellbeing

Nurturing Mental Wellbeing: Why it is Critical for Entrepreneurs.

Nurturing Mental Wellbeing: Why it is Critical for Entrepreneurs.

The pursuit of success in the world of entrepreneurship often comes at a significant cost to mental wellbeing. The relentless demands, high-pressure situations, and inherent uncertainties can create a breeding ground for stress, anxiety, and burnout. Yet, the mental wellbeing of entrepreneurs is a subject that is often overlooked but, in reality, deserves utmost attention. Since October is a Mental Health Awarenes month, we will explore why safeguarding mental wellbeing is crucial for entrepreneurs and set the stage for valuable insights from fellow entrepreneurs who have navigated the complex terrain of mental wellness.

For starters, here is why mental wellbeing is crucial for entrepreneurs:

  • Sustained Performance: Mental health directly impacts cognitive functioning, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Entrepreneurs need these faculties in peak condition to innovate, adapt, and make critical decisions consistently.
  • Resilience: Entrepreneurial journeys are marred by setbacks and failures. A robust mental health foundation equips individuals with the resilience needed to bounce back from disappointments, setbacks, and rejection.
  • Relationships: Healthy relationships with co-founders, employees, investors, and customers are pivotal for business success. A stable mental state allows entrepreneurs to nurture these relationships effectively.
  • Work-Life Balance: Entrepreneurs often blur the lines between work and personal life. A healthy mental state facilitates better work-life balance, reducing the risk of burnout and exhaustion.
  • Longevity: Mental health concerns, when unaddressed, can escalate and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of an entrepreneurial venture. Taking proactive steps to prioritize mental wellness can contribute to the longevity of your business.

As entrepreneurs, it’s essential to recognize that our mental wellbeing is not a secondary concern but a foundational one. The pursuit of success need not come at the expense of your mental health. By understanding the importance of mental wellness and learning from the experiences of fellow entrepreneurs, we can foster a more resilient, creative, and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Learn from fellow entrepreneurs as they share insights from their personal experiences on mental wellbeing.


The SME Response Clinic is pleased to announce Building Back Healthier, a series on wellbeing for entrepreneurs.

The SME Response Clinic is pleased to announce Building Back Healthier, a series on wellbeing for entrepreneurs.

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all faced challenges in our day to day lives. For entrepreneurs, the impacts have been two-fold, affecting businesses as well as personal lives. At the SME Response Clinic, we understand that while Rwanda has allowed businesses to reopen at full capacity and the country has been rolling out vaccines, circumstances are still far from “business as usual.”

The SME Response Clinic acknowledges your resilience in managing your business in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic, and we would like to support you as you build back better. With that in mind, we’re pleased to introduce the Building Back Healthier Series, a series of radio shows, webinars, interviews, and articles to help you as a business owner and as an individual.

The series will launch with a radio show featuring the topic Building Back Healthier: Supporting Entrepreneurs’ Wellbeing during COVID-19 on 18th October 2021 at 7 pm on KT Radio’s Ubyumva Ute program. It will feature expert psychologists in conversation with entrepreneurs who have faced many of the challenges you have faced. The radio show will be followed by two webinars and interviews with entrepreneurs and experts focused on wellbeing from across different segments, including youth, women, start-ups, and established businesses, so that there is something for everyone.

Evidence shows that positive wellbeing contributes to better decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation, all of which impact a business owner’s bottom line. So, join us as we launch this exciting initiative to support wellbeing for entrepreneurs!