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About us
Healthy Minds for Thriving Business is an initiative between Oxfordshire Business First and a number of partners. The aim is to provide a guide to resources that are available by organisations specialising in well-being.
We know that it's easy to prioritise your business above all else, including your health. We also know that without nurturing a healthy mind and body, this can affect your wellbeing and as a result, the success of your business.
We know that it's easy to prioritise your business above all else, including your health. We also know that without nurturing a healthy mind and body, this can affect your wellbeing and as a result, the success of your business.
This collective has come together to gather a broad variety of resources to suit your needs, and to encourage you to put mentally healthy habits in place while growing a business, so you and your business can thrive. We signpost to credible mental health resources, as well as share stories and case studies of successful business owners who have overcome mental health challenges and adversity, and now approach their wellbeing and their business from a place of balance - we want to help you achieve the same.
This collective has come together to gather a broad variety of resources to suit your needs, and to encourage you to put mentally healthy habits in place while growing a business, so you and your business can thrive. We signpost to credible mental health resources, as well as share stories and case studies of successful business owners who have overcome mental health challenges and adversity, and now approach their wellbeing and their business from a place of balance - we want to help you achieve the same.
Meet the people behind Healthy Minds for Thriving Business
Meet the people behind Healthy Minds for Thriving Business
Paul Essery - Serial Entrepreneur & Sales Expert
Paul Essery - Serial Entrepreneur & Sales Expert
"I got involved with the project because I have seen the toll that entrepreneurship can take on the mental well-being of the people involved. If you’re an employee, the company you work for has a duty of care. But if you're an entrepreneur you often have no one to turn to when things get tough. I joined the working group because I wanted to work with the others involved and try to do something to help."
Wendy Tindsley - Innovation Director at Oxford Innovation
Wendy Tindsley - Innovation Director at Oxford Innovation
"Having supported over 100 companies in 4 Innovation Centres in Oxfordshire, I saw that entrepreneurs were the last in the line to receive support for their mental health. Founders are under tremendous pressure, having to wear many hats and living a lot of their time way outside their comfort zone. They feel they can’t admit weaknesses to their family, their employees, their customers, their board. So, they suffer in silence and, as a result can face burnout, diminishing effectiveness, stress and anxiety. However, there is no recognised support system for them. I got involved with Healthy Minds to help develop a collection of resources that could be of specific help to entrepreneurs."
"Having supported over 100 companies in 4 Innovation Centres in Oxfordshire, I saw that entrepreneurs were the last in the line to receive support for their mental health. Founders are under tremendous pressure, having to wear many hats and living a lot of their time way outside their comfort zone. They feel they can’t admit weaknesses to their family, their employees, their customers, their board. So, they suffer in silence and, as a result can face burnout, diminishing effectiveness, stress and anxiety. However, there is no recognised support system for them. I got involved with Healthy Minds to help develop a collection of resources that could be of specific help to entrepreneurs."
Leah Spasova - Psychologist, Educator & Entrepreneur
Leah Spasova - Psychologist, Educator & Entrepreneur
"I never thought I'd start a business, never mind more than one, too. Being a solopreneur is tough and the support networks that used to be there for you as an employee are nowhere to be seen. You're a lone warrior - facing imposter syndrome, burnout, loneliness and feelings of being lost all the time. So when I was invited to join this project by Oxfordshire Business First, I did because I wish I had found such a resource when I was first starting my entrepreneurial journey."
Tania Diggory - Entrepreneur, Author & Founder of Calmer
Tania Diggory - Entrepreneur, Author & Founder of Calmer
"I've run my own business since 2010, and while I love what I do, it would have made a huge difference to my health and wellbeing to have this kind of support when I was starting out. The reason I launched Calmer was to help entrepreneurs and business teams access to mental health and wellbeing support, and learn how to prevent burnout - something I had to learn the hard way. With endless responsibilities and pressures on your shoulders, there is still a huge need for entrepreneurs and senior leaders to receive mental health support. I felt inspired to join this project and a collective of like-minds to create a platform that's so needed in these times of change and uncertainty."
Colette Norbury - Mental Health Trainer & Consultant
Colette Norbury - Mental Health Trainer & Consultant
"At the time I was approached about this project, I was working as Workplace Wellbeing Training Manager at Oxfordshire Mind mental health charity. Whilst my focus was on supporting workplace mental health through education and training, I was aware that there was a vital group dipping below the radar. So, I leapt at the chance to explore what entrepreneurs and small business owners need, and to plan how, as a professional community, we can support them. Many years ago, I was also an entrepreneur and I recall so clearly how it felt to be ‘on your own’ and working hard to succeed in something that you are passionate about. Feeling able to share the lows as well as the highs and knowing how to look after your health and wellbeing has never been so important."
Jim Gabriel - Entrepreneur in Residence, Oxford Innovation
Jim Gabriel - Entrepreneur in Residence, Oxford Innovation
"I have spent much of my career working in my own or other people's startups. I understand the stresses and strains of early stage startups in general, and high-tech, high-growth ones in particular, where the glass always needs to be so full it's overflowing - failure isn't an option, and the founders pay themselves last in times of need. This contributes to a shockingly and disproportionately high suicide rate in entrepreneurs. Having been diagnosed a few years ago as so depressed I couldn't function any more, which took me by surprise, I embraced therapy and trained as a mental health first aider. I'm passionate about championing looking after one's own mental health and the health of those around you."
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