When I launched Joy Life Counseling, I was operating with equal parts faith and grit. I didn’t have investors or a big safety net. I had a vision, a deep sense of calling and the funds from selling my late father’s home. That was the only capital I had to start building what is now a thriving group practice.

Today, Joy Life Counseling is home to four incredible therapists. But it didn’t start here. I began alone, fresh out of graduate school, without many examples of people who looked like me opening private practices—especially straight out of school. What I did have were memories of watching my grandmother run her beauty salon. My grandmother, Ann, led with strength, compassion and purpose in everything she did. I have also witnessed my aunt, Lishall, run a successful beauty salon. I’ve learned from her what it means to fully own and operate a successful business. These were my blueprints. Their examples taught me that Black women have always made a way, even when resources were scarce.

The Mental Load of Leadership

Entrepreneurship often looks glamorous on the outside. We scroll through highlight reels on social media filled with business milestones, perfectly curated brands, and images of success. But behind the scenes – it’s a heavy lift. Running a business comes with its own unique stressors, which include late nights, financial uncertainty, decision fatigue and the emotional labor of being “on” all the time. Add to that the responsibility of holding space for others as a therapist and leader, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the work.

For me, therapy has been a lifeline—not just something I offer to others, but something I rely on myself. It’s helped me stay grounded and clear-headed. It’s where I’ve unpacked fears, processed grief and given myself permission to slow down when everything around me said to keep pushing.

The Case for a Mental Health Plan

Every entrepreneur needs a mental health plan. Not a vague idea of self-care, but a structured approach to maintaining emotional, spiritual and psychological well-being. The truth is, your business will only grow as sustainably as you do.

For Black women in particular, the pressure to succeed is often tied up with generational expectations and cultural messages about strength and survival. But as Tricia Hersey reminds us in her book, Rest is Resistance, “You are not a machine, stop acting like one.” Her words have stuck with me. Rest isn’t weakness—it’s our right. It’s also a critical component of leadership.

Likewise, in Black Joy, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts invites us to see joy as something deeply rooted—not performative or shallow, but essential to our healing. Her reflections helped me reclaim joy as a vital part of my wellness plan, not just something I earned once everything was “handled.” Joy is resistance. Joy is rest. And joy is medicine for the entrepreneur’s soul.

What a Mental Health Plan Can Look Like

Every business owner’s mental health plan will look a little different, but here are a few pillars I always recommend:

Therapy:

Working with a trusted therapist allows you to process challenges, get unstuck and grow personally while navigating business demands.

Boundaries: 

Clear boundaries around your time, energy and availability protect your peace and prevent burnout.

Rest and Recovery: 

Intentional rest is not optional. Schedule breaks, unplug regularly and listen to your body.

Community Support:

Surround yourself with people who can hold space for you, whether that’s a mentor, book club, healing circle or prayer circle.

Celebration and Reflection: 

Don’t wait for the “big win.” Reflect on your journey and celebrate how far you’ve come.

We Can Build Without Breaking

As a Black woman entrepreneur and therapist, I’ve learned that we can’t build sustainably if we’re constantly depleted. Yes, we’ve been taught to be strong. But we’re allowed to be soft too. We’re allowed to heal, to rest, to be supported.

Starting Joy Life Counseling taught me the power of betting on myself. Expanding into a group practice reminded me that our dreams grow when we grow. What I know for sure is this: entrepreneurship doesn’t have to come at the cost of our mental health. In fact, it can be the catalyst for our healing if we choose to honor ourselves along the way. So if you’re building something from the ground up, just know this: you deserve care, you deserve joy and you deserve to thrive—not just in business, but in life.

Recommended Reading

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey

Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts