Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lyr Weltsman, founder of BreakingTheChalk - Digital Mental Health Care, located in Johannesburg, South Africa.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My company BreakingTheChalk is a digital mental health care company. We provide digital mental health support for kids, teens & families worldwide. BreakingTheChalk provides parental consulting and psychological counseling from the comfort of your home. We are here to create a safe space & make mental health accessible and convenient for everyone. Our aim is to break through traditional boundaries of youth mental health support through our holistic and personalized approach. We reshape conventional therapeutic and educational processes through innovative modalities to equip kids, teens, and parents with the right tools in an increasingly digitized global community.
Our customers are kids, teens, and parents who struggle with their mental health and require therapy and support worldwide.
Tell us about yourself
I started struggling with severe mental health as a teen. I had no understanding or knowledge of mental health. I just knew something was wrong. Due to a lack of support from my school, I left. It took me years to understand my mental health and find the right professional help. My experience as a teen struggling with their mental health and through my work experience and studies, I see the huge lack of support and approach to mental health for the youth, the family, and at schools. Because my business has come from such passion, it is my dedicated life mission and purpose. This is what also motivates me every day, and every day, I get inspired.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have two. One of my biggest accomplishments is to see the growth in my business. The other accomplishment is that I am providing the help I needed as a teen and the results of such.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, the success of the company is all on me. Even though I have a marketing manager, she is so helpful, my company is my life purpose, and that comes with a lot of pressure to succeed, to help as many youths as possible, and all the ins and outs. I suffer from anxiety, so as much as being self-employed helps with that, there are also times when the unknown of it triggers my anxiety.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know when you need support and when someone else can make tasks/admin more effective.
- Know that it takes time, so be patient and don't lose hope! People often show their 'quick' success on social media, but it doesn't work like that.
- Make a plan, know your short, middle, and long-term goals, be flexible with change and always check-in, and learn a healthy balance between personal and work life.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.breakingthechalk.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakingTheChalk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingthechalk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyr-weltsman-education-mentalhealth/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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