The road to entrepreneurship- The importance of rest

Hi! My name is Pavandeep, I am a Research Scientist turned Strategy Consultant, looking to make a difference in the world of healthcare. Join me as I chart my journey into the world of Venture Building at ZINC, a mission driven venture builder that brings together 70 individuals from diverse backgrounds to innovate and build companies in areas of high global need. Cohort seven's mission: the effect of climate change on health.

The Importance of Rest for Founders

For those who follow my updates regularly, you may have noticed I took a break from posting. With the pace of product development and business growth, I realized the importance of switching off to recharge. Startup life often undervalues rest, so I decided to take the plunge and step away for a bit.

I spent my time hiking in the Canadian Rockies, swimming in lakes, reconnecting with loved ones, and indulging in plenty of ice cream! This break has been incredibly restorative, giving me the space to think creatively and return stronger and more focused. Here’s why taking a break is vital and how it’s helped me come back as a better Founder.

Avoid Burnout

Taking a break from building a startup can be essential in preventing or recovering from burnout. The pressures of entrepreneurship—constant decision-making, long hours, and high stakes—can leave founders drained. By stepping away, even briefly, you can restore your energy, gain perspective, and tackle challenges with fresh creativity. Even a short break can help you refocus on the big picture and find clarity. Whether it’s hiking, swimming, or yoga, detaching from work completely is key to restoring your mental and physical well-being.

Inspire New Thoughts

A break can also inspire fresh ideas. When you’re deep in problem-solving mode, it’s easy to become stuck in a cycle of tunnel vision. Stepping away allows new thoughts to emerge. Some of the best insights come when you least expect them—whether during a walk, a chat with a friend, or a moment of silence. For me, morning walks without distractions are when clarity strikes.

Gain Perspective

Distance from the intensity of startup life allows you to reflect on your journey so far. A break helps you reconnect with your “why”—why you started your venture and what your goals are. This sense of self-reflection can foster long-term growth and align you with your deeper purpose, making you more prepared to tackle challenges when you return.

Re-identify Yourself Outside Your Business

As founders, it’s easy to tie your identity to your business. Taking time away helps remind you that you are more than your company. I used my break to reconnect with family and friends, not as a CEO, but as an aunt, friend, and loved one. Rest allows you to separate your personal achievements and well-being from your business, reminding you that your success is not defined solely by your startup.

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: stepping away, even briefly, is vital for renewed energy and fresh perspectives and I encourage all founders to prioritize rest when needed!

The Kuma Health Ask

Would you like to be part of my entrepreneurship journey? I would love your help in the following areas:

1. Introduce us to Pharma companies We are seeking to better understand the therapeutic and clinic landscape in autoimmune conditions. Do you have an interest or understanding you could share?
2. Connect us with Rheumatologists and health systems: We would love to hear from anyone who has experience of working in Rheumatology in the US. Do you know someone you can connect us with?.
3. Help spread the word: Are you part of a network that could help us either reach more users or speak to investors? Reach out and let us know, we would love to explore potential partnerships

Thanks for reading this week! I will be back more regularly from now with updates to share!

As ever, the lovely members of my cohort have been hard at work and are documenting there own experiences. You can access their blogs and newsletters below:

• Donna Egan Zonder
• Veronika Bridgman
• Marjo Palanee
• Oliver Knight SmartShift Energy
• Louise Thomas and William Hicks who have founded Air Aware Labs with its own weekly newsletter

Thank you to:

• Toby Basey-Fisher from Entia for sharing his experience with founder burnout and how it has affected him in the longterm.
• Veronika Bridgman Alexandra Oti and Liza Levy from Unravel Health , and Tom King from ThinkDivergent for keeping me sane these past weeks
• Conor Hanley FIRE1 for candid advice on building a business and being a Founder.
• Mandeep Dhillon for always being an advocate and providing me with the honest and realistic feedback I need to keep me realistic in my journey!
• Simon Bates for his mentorship and continuous check-ins
• Nik Sharma from BioCorteX insights on partnering with pharma companies