Tools 7 Successful Women Founders Use to Manage Their Mental Health

In my five-part series on mental health and entrepreneurship, I’m sharing the personal stories of women managing diagnoses like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD while building their businesses. Check out my recent articles, where I’ve explored how entrepreneurship can be a lifeline for those with mental health conditions, as well as the hidden roadblocks people pursuing this path often face.

For years, hustle culture has glorified grinding endlessly, sacrificing our well-being, and treating burnout like a badge of honor. But here’s the truth: that way of working isn’t just unsustainable—it’s harmful, especially for those of us navigating mental health conditions while building businesses.

As as a therapist and executive coach, I’ve seen how this constant pressure to produce can take a serious toll on mental health. But I’ve also seen another way forward: one where mental health isn’t treated as a barrier to success but as a guide for building a more intentional, sustainable, and fulfilling way of working.

In this piece, I’m sharing the stories of seven women entrepreneurs rewriting the rules. From setting boundaries and prioritizing rest to reframing failure, they remind us that building a sustainable business requires implementing tools that foster sustainable mental health.

‘I’ve Learned To Say No’

Living with anxiety and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), Emylee Williams, growth strategist at Creative’s Catalyst, has developed a deep understanding of her triggers—and the courage to honor them.

“My diagnosis has forced me to be someone who is confident in saying no, rescheduling at the last minute, and keeping a lighter schedule,” she says. “It’s made me have to get comfortable with sharing with clients that there may be an unexpected cancellation or rescheduling due to my health.”

Being mindful of her capacity helps Williams keep her body calm and mind healthy, but it’s also had an unexpected benefit: “It’s definitely shaped the type of clients I work with. They need to be understanding, chill, and not have a sense of urgency or demand for a lot of work.”

‘Realistic Expectations Changed Everything’

When she worked in big law, Laura DiFrancesco experienced the toll of the expectation of constant availability. “There was a point where I needed to turn off all notifications because the influx of messages that I was receiving negatively impacted my mental health,” says DiFrancesco, who has been diagnosed with anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD.

When she started her boutique law firm Dean Street Law, she wanted to figure out how to establish healthy boundaries in a way that also respected clients’ needs. While it was initially a challenge, DiFrancesco has now created a work culture that supports her team’s mental health as well as her own.

“We’ve implemented communication protocols to set realistic expectations with clients and provide them with information in advance on how we handle urgent matters,” she says. “Establishing healthy boundaries with technology has helped me navigate the stress of a high-pressure job and industry while maintaining my mental health.”

‘Movement Keeps Me Grounded’

For Ellen Hockley Harrison, founder and CEO of Ellen Hockley Consulting and Evergreen Activewear, physical activity is a lifeline for her mental health. After struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety, movement became her go-to strategy for staying balanced.

“Without movement, I start to crumble,” Hockley Harrison says. “Even just a short walk outside can make a difference.”

She also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the ups and downs of the journey. “Some days are amazing, and some are terrible,” she says. “I remind myself that this is a winding road, and as long as I can keep myself moving, I’ll make it through.”

‘Journaling Helps Me Reconnect’

Allie Mirosevic, journaling and manifestation coach and founder of Bliss’d Co, credits her recovery from postpartum depression to a simple yet powerful tool: journaling. “Alongside therapy and medicine, journaling became a foundational part of my healing journey,” she says. “The practice stuck even after finishing therapy and medicine, helping me navigate life (and business) with more clarity and confidence.”

Mirosevic also prioritizes time alone, carving out quiet moments to reflect and recharge. “It’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of entrepreneurship, but I’ve learned that slowing down and giving myself permission to just be is essential,” she adds. “In those still moments, I can tap into my intuition and stay grounded.”

‘Listening To My Body Is Non-Negotiable’

Charmaine Green-Forde, founder and CEO of organizational and leadership optimization consultancy Chapter tOO, emphasizes the importance of tuning into her body’s signals—even when business demands are pressing.

“Say no, set boundaries, and stick to them, even if it means turning down an opportunity,” she advises. “These practices allow me to show up as my best, whatever that looks like in the moment.”

Green-Forde has also learned not to let societal expectations dictate her approach. “People often extend less grace when they can’t see a disability, but I’ve learned to trust my experience and honor my needs without needing external validation.”

‘Pausing Was My Most Powerful Strategy’

After enduring a season of significant personal losses, Ashley Graham, founder of The Conscious Publicist®, realized she needed time to heal. Taking a step back from her business was one of the hardest but most necessary decisions she’s ever made.

“The real challenge wasn’t maintaining business operations but finding the strength to prioritize healing when everything around me demanded growth,” says Graham, who was diagnosed with anxiety and depression at age 18. “I had to make the conscious choice to take significant time away from my business to honor my grief, the ebbs and flows of what the healing journey brings, and to protect my well-being overall.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, by allowing herself time to process, reset, and gain a new perspective, she also gained powerful insights about her business. “While highly uncomfortable and challenging, this decision revealed a deeper truth: that sustainable success isn’t built on constant output but on pure, raw alignment with our human needs,” Graham says. “By allowing myself this, I’m not just healing myself but laying the groundwork for a more vulnerable and sustainable business model.”

‘I Gamify Failure To Keep Moving Forward’

Katrina Purcell, founder and CEO of Katrina Purcell LLC, a fractional COO and consulting firm, has found that one of her most effective strategies has been using her diagnosis as a tool: She uses her anxiety as both a guide and a motivator. She creates controlled challenges, such as races or speaking engagements, to build resilience and confront her fears.

“I am able to remind myself that the only outcome is by going through the experience and learning that nothing terrible will happen even if it doesn’t go exactly to plan,” she says.

Purcell also reframes failure. “I challenge myself to fail a certain number of times at something so each failure actually becomes an accomplishment. My anxiety has served me well because it also helps me to properly evaluate risks and ensure that I’m making the right, measured choices when dealing with both my business and my clients’ businesses.”

The stories shared here offer a powerful reminder that managing mental health conditions as an entrepreneur isn’t a liability—it’s an opportunity to approach life and work with greater intention. In my next article, I’ll explore how these diagnoses can even offer unexpected silver linings, fueling creativity, resilience, and innovation.