The Startup Struggle: How to Stay Positive ?? and Resilient ????

Being a startup founder is not easy. You have a vision, a passion, and a drive to make a difference in the world and for the life you want to live. But you also face a lot of obstacles and uncertainties along the way. You need runway or investment to get traction and paying customers, but you need traction and paying customers to get your first investment. It's a catch 22 that can be frustrating and demoralizing. ??

And if you are a female or an underrepresented founder, the odds are even more stacked against you. According to PitchBook, only 2.3% of the total venture capital funding in 2020 went to women-led startups, and only 0.64% went to Black and Latinx women founders (*and the numbers are not improving year 2021 - 2024). These numbers are shocking and unacceptable, and they show how much work we still have to do to create a more diverse and inclusive ecosystem for entrepreneurs. ??

So how do you cope with these challenges and keep going? How do you stay positive and resilient in the face of adversity and rejection? How do you attract your perfect team, followers, champions, investors and customers?

Here are some of the things that I do to maintain the right mindset and practice daily, when things seem tough or tight:

·?????? I remind myself of my why. Why did I start this journey in the first place? What is the problem that I am solving, and who am I serving? What is the impact that I want to have in the world? These questions help me reconnect with my purpose and passion, and they motivate me to keep going. ??

·?????? I celebrate my wins, big and small. Every day, I write down at least three things that I am proud of or grateful for. It could be feedback from a team member, a beta tester, a new feature launch, a social media mention, a new meeting or contact, a personal milestone, or anything else that makes me happy. Recently that HealPlay have been accepted on App Store, after the verification process! This helps me to focus on the positive aspects of my journey and recognize the progress that I am making everyday. ??

·?????? I surround myself with supportive and like-minded people. I have a network of mentors and peers (mastermind group) who cheer me on, offer me advice, and lend me a shoulder to cry on. They understand the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and they inspire me to keep learning and growing. ??

·?????? My family have realized, that I am an oddball and that I will continue this journey and that I won’t quit being an entrepreneur, so they are starting to be more and more neutral and even positive, even though they sometimes are scared and worried as well. I try and show them how much I value what I do and how much I love it, both the wins and the challenges. ??

·?????? I also seek out communities and platforms that cater to female and underrepresented founders, that provide me with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and access resources that are tailored to my needs and goals. ??

·?????? I practice self-care and wellness (*gratitude and mindset practice and daily walks). I know that I can't pour from an empty cup, so I make sure to take care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.??♀?

·?????? I also move my body regularly, eat healthy, meditate, sleep well (or take naps when I can), and do things that bring me joy and relaxation (for the nervous system). Something that was a real deal breaker was breathwork. I was recently introduced to breathwork and I was chocked how powerful it was! Thank you Sara Wandberg

·?????? I also set boundaries and say no to things that are not aligned with my priorities and values. I respect my time and energy, and I don't let anyone, or anything drain it. I am responsible for my energy and keeping my vibe high. ?

These are some of the ways that I stay positive and resilient as a startup founder. I hope they can help you too, if you are on a similar journey.

Remember: You are exactly at the right place and time, where you need to be, you are doing great... but also remember you are valuable without any traction or goals met. You are not defined by your startup, but by who you are as a person. You are worthy, capable, and amazing, no matter what.

I am growing and stretching my limits every day, but I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I love being a startup founder, and I am proud of the work that I do. I hope you are too.

Let's keep supporting each other, and let's keep changing the world! ????