“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.”

I was reminded of this quote towards the end of last year and made the incredibly difficult decision to end this podcast.

Last year was a challenging year for me with lots of collisions between my personal life and entrepreneur life happening behind the scenes. This podcast was an important source of inspiration for me during that time and I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through the year without it.

However, I’ve realized I need to lean into the flexible aspect of my own entrepreneur career and that unfortunately requires taking some things off my plate, including this podcast.

In this final episode I share more about the challenging year I faced in 2023, including secondary infertility and loss, and share some of the lessons I learned along the way thanks to this show.

I’m so grateful to all of my guests who have come on the show in the past year. As well as my listeners for tuning in and supporting the show. If you’re just listening to this podcast for the first time, I encourage you to go back and listen to previous episodes. There are a ton of great gems in each conversation.

Also, a huge thank you to my podcast editor Ineke Camille of Zourit Solutions. I credit her for helping me enter into the world of podcasting and for preserving my mental health along the way. This show wouldn’t have been possible without her!

I’ll continue to take on coaching clients as well so if you’re interested in working together please reach out via my website at http://melissaparks.com

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

In this week’s episode I’m delighted to introduce you to Kelly Redmon Loo, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) specializing in Autism.

We dive into how Kelly developed her passion for working with autistic clients, as well as her journey towards being diagnosed as AuDHD (autism and ADHD). We’ll talk about masking and unmasking, how autism, particularly in women, often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its unique manifestations.

Kelly also shares insights on why neurodivergent individuals may feel 'unemployable', how entrepreneurship can be a liberating path for many and how she overcomes some of the challenges that come with being a neurodivergent entrepreneur.

We’ll also explore the nuances of occupational versus autistic burnout, and how you can take care of yourself if you’re experiencing autistic burnout.

And if you’re wondering if you might be on the spectrum, Kelly offers practical advice on next steps, including seeking a formal diagnosis or finding peace in self-diagnosis

Kelly is the founder and owner of Seven Seas Counseling, an innovative online therapy practice where she focuses on providing support to autistic adults, individuals dealing with chronic pain, and those facing various illnesses.

Her expertise extends to assessments and late diagnoses of autism, where she assists clients in navigating the complexities of a late diagnosis and collaborates with them to create personalized lives that cater to their unique needs. Kelly is dedicated to helping individuals unmask, discover their authentic paths, and fulfill their potential.

In addition to her clinical work, Kelly plays a vital role in the professional development of therapists. She offers training and clinical supervision to those eager to expand their knowledge in working with autistic adults, contributing to the growth of the therapeutic community.

She also  runs an online autistic women's+ support group and is in the process of developing a group curriculum centered around autistic burnout.

Currently residing in Arlington, Va, Kelly enjoys a fulfilling personal life in the company of her husband, Siberian cat- Iquitos, and four rescue guinea pigs. She is an active member and advocate of online chronic illness/pain communities and raises awareness of several rare chronic conditions that often overlap with autism. Her interests beyond her work include traveling, being near the ocean whenever she can, and fostering animals.

She is Audhd herself (autism + ADHD) and her current special interests include sewing, memoir writing, and going new places with her husband and their cat.

Whether you're neurodivergent, wondering if you’re neurodivergent,  know someone who is, or are simply here to learn, this episode is packed with eye-opening perspectives and valuable takeaways.

Be sure to check out the episode webpage for an extensive list of resources from this episode!

Find Kelly online:

Website: https://www.sevenseascounseling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seven_seas_counseling/

Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

If you’d like additional su

In this episode I’m delighted to introduce to you an inspiring founder who is working to revolutionize the freelance industry and improve the working conditions and ultimately help prevent burnout amongst freelancers around the globe.

Karl Swanepoel is the CEO & Founder of Revolancer Beta, a platform that aims to help independent professionals and freelancers exchange their skills to build their service businesses. Karl's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age when he encountered the challenges faced by freelancers.

With this problem in mind, he created Revolancer in his last year in Aberystwyth and won the startup competition he was in, securing funding from a VC capital a few months after.

Today, Karll spearheads a passionate and dynamic team at Revolancer, driven by a shared mission to revolutionise the freelance industry and empower freelancers worldwide with renewed autonomy and opportunities.

In this episode we talk about why Karl is so passionate about the Revolancer mission, what helps him to be the best leader he can be for his time, and how he prioritizes his mental health to avoid burnout that so many founders fall victim to.

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Find Karl online:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlswa/
• Revolancer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revolancer
• Karl’s Website: https://karlswanepoel.com/about/
• Revolancer’s Website: https://beta.revolancer.com/

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

In this episode I’m excited to introduce you to Aaron Chatterly, an exited serial founder who, having sold his beauty retailer to Sephora in 2021, is living the dream so many founders aspire to when they start their companies. However,  in this episode we’re going to be talking not only about the highs, but also some of the lows he’s experienced along the way and what’s helped him stay optimistic and resilient through it all.

Aaron co-Founded beauty retailer feelunique in 2005. feelunique was Europe's leading premium online beauty retailer with 80,000 health and beauty products from over 900 major brands such as Chanel, Estee Lauder, bareMinerals, Dior, Clinique, Decléor, Benefit, YSL and Lancôme.

He led a partial sale of the business to Private Equity in 2012, and in September 2021 sold the company to LVMH/Sephora. Aaron has recently launched a new teen beauty brand called indu. He is also an independent Director of Nasdaq listed beauty acquisition company Waldencast, a non-Executive Director of Digital Jersey and an Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust Women Supporting Women. He was voted one of the 50 most powerful people in Online Retail for 2014 by Retail Week, IoD Director of the Year for a Large Organisation 2013 and finalist in the UK Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012.

We cover a wide range of topics in this interview including how Aaron and his business partner broke into the competitive beauty industry, how he stays optimistic and resilient despite the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship, and his experience of selling his company and the lessons he learned along the way.

We also explore some of the mental health challenges he’s faced, how he juggles family life alongside the demands of entrepreneurship, and how being a parent to twin teen girls inspired his next business venture.

Find Aaron online:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronchatterley/
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaronchatterley
• You can learn more about Indu, Aaron’s recently launched teen beauty brand - http://www.indu.me

Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Founders Taboo is a UK-based startup working to increase awareness, access, and affordability of support for startup founder mental health and well-being. They aim to solve the problem of founder well-being at scale in order to disrupt the entire startup ecosystem’s view on this topic. They’re building the world’s largest online community and resource hub offering psychoeducation, online support, and connections to providers specialized in offering treatment and crisis support specifically for founders. In addition to online offerings they also offer regular retreats for founders. All of this is available to founders at any stage, anywhere in the world, and you’ll find a link to join below.

With a track record in building world-class accelerators and applied academic research, Janos Barberis has seen first-hand how prioritising the health of the founder is critical to the performance, success and continuity of one’s venture. Janos has turned lived experience into pioneering a movement to build a healthier, more fruitful startup ecosystem with founder wellbeing, mental health and performance at the core.

With a background rooted in psychology, Annabelle works at the intersection of psychology, entrepreneurship and performance, and the relationships between these. Through the Founders Taboo movement, she is working to improve the provision of and access to wellbeing support for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. Collaborating with experts, researchers, and key ecosystem stakeholders, Annabelle and Founders Taboo are driving for a healthier, more sustainable startup ecosystem.

As you’ll hear Janos say in this interview “the world needs more entrepreneurship, not less.” However, we also need to ensure that founders are able to grow their businesses without harming their mental health and relationships, which is exactly what Founders Taboo is aiming to do.

In our conversation you’ll learn about Janos lived experience that inspired him to start Founders Taboo, Annabelle’s observations on the challenges faced by the founders supported by Founders Taboo, and the ambitious and inspiring ways in which Founders Taboo is working to support founders and shift the global conversation around founder mental health amongst all key players in the startup ecosystem.

Any founder can sign up to Founders Taboo, the free online community and resource-hub tailored to entrepreneur wellbeing. Registration form: https://airtable.com/shrg17RA65wjUBi5i

Find Annabelle, Janos, and Founders Taboo online:

• Founders Taboo website: https://www.founderstaboo.com
• Founders Taboo on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/founders-taboo
• Janos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janosbarberis/
• Annabelle on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/annabelle-cameron

Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-be

In this episode, I’m introducing you to an inspiring femtech founder, Olivia Ochowski. In a previous chapter, Olivia worked as personal trainer, women's health coach, and doula. Today, as the founder and CEO of Femtek, Olivia introduces the first Basal Body Ring designed for women's menstrual health; all while they sleep.

I absolutely loved Olivia’s story because it’s not the typical startup founder story, and it’s certainly not the typical story of a tech founder. Olivia’s entrepreneur story started as a personal trainer and owner of a gym which introduced her to a gap in the women’s health market, particularly in relation to cycle and body literacy.

In this episode we talk about the challenges Olivia has faced as a non-technical tech founder and how she’s overcome then, as well as how her years of working 1:1 with women gives her a competitive advantage. We also discussed the mistakes she’s made along the way, what she’d do differently if she could go back in time (and why she’s grateful this isn’t an option).

The podcast is shifting from weekly to biweekly episodes. You can expect new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month!

Find Olivia online:

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• Femtek website: www.femtek.co
• Olivia’s website: http://www.oliviaorchowski.com
• Olivia’s instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theliftingdoula
• Femtek instagram: http://www.instagram.com/fem.tek
• Olivia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-orchowski/

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

Your host, Melissa Parks, shares her reflections on the first 24 episodes of the Founders' Fears & Failures podcast. She shares some common themes guests have spoken about, lessons she’s learned as the host of this podcast, and a sneak peak at some of the guests to look forward to in future episodes.

The Founders' Fears & Failures podcast will be taking a short break in August 2023, but will be back on September 5, 2023 with more weekly episodes.

If you’re an ambitious entrepreneur who wants to take proactive action to care for your mental well-being, Melissa is accepting new 1:1 coaching clients starting in August 2023. She helps her clients to be successful and make an impact without burning out or damaging their relationships along the way. Her approach is unique to each client, and uses evidence based techniques to help improve their psychological flexibility so they can make better decisions, lead with greater emotional intelligence, and improve their ability to manage stressful situations.

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit to work on improving your mental fitness and building emotional resilience: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/‌

Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

This week on the show I’m introducing you to Mike Buonaiuto, exited founder and author of the recently released book, Founder Therapy.

Mike is a philanthropic business leader and performance coach, who founded, scaled and exited Shape History, the award-winning social impact agency. ​ He's currently a senior advisor; helping companies nurture their people, navigate growth and negotiate pivotal moments of transformation.

His book Founder Therapy was published June 2023 and explores why founders are more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and burnout. His TEDx talk, ‘No wonder people are quitting - business must do better’ was selected and featured by TED’s Editor picks. Mike supports Virgin Startup as their ‘Entrepreneur In Residence’ and NatWest’s Business Accelerator as their ‘Business Startup Coach.​’

In this conversation we explore Mike’s own journey as an entrepreneur, including an experience with burnout that almost cost him his life. We also discuss the inspiration behind writing his book, why its essential for founders to care about their own mental health, and that of their team, and how founders and leaders can innovate without burning out along the way.

TW: In this episode there’s a mention of suicidal ideation so please decide if this is the right episode for you or not.

FOUNDER THERAPY: 50 Lessons To Start, Scale & Sell Without Wounding Our Wellbeing. In partnership with NatWest, Unrest and Founders Taboo, Founder Therapy pulls together research from neuroscience, with experience from top-performing entrepreneurs, to present 50 lessons to start, scale, sell without wounding our wellbeing.

The book also presents the case for a proven link between effective stress-management and commercial success. It's specific, due to my background, in comms and marketing business, particularly scaling and selling an agency. The project is in response to research from UCSF, linking higher rates of mental health issues to success-driven entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Mike’s book here: https://www.mikebuonaiuto.com/founder-therapy

Get your copy of Mike’s book, “Founder Therapy” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1781337985/

Learn more about Founders Taboo:

https://www.founderstaboo.com/

Find Mike online:

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• Website: https://www.mikebuonaiuto.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/mike_shapes/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-buonaiuto/

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Nearly 40% of entrepreneurs have one or more diagnosable mental health condition, 3% of entrepreneurs had made suicide attempts and 1.7% had a history of psychiatric hospitalization. It’s essential that we continue to destigmatize entrepreneur mental health vulnerabilities so that entrepreneurs feel less alone and that treatment options continue to grow.

This week on the show I’m honored to share with you my conversation with a leading researcher on the topic of entrepreneur mental health. Michael A. Freeman, M.D. is a psychiatrist, serial entrepreneur, entrepreneur mental health researcher, and founder of Econa. Econa is an entrepreneur mental health center of excellence that builds scalable mental health and wellbeing solutions for founders.

In this episode you’ll also learn that the very differences that make entrepreneurs more vulnerable to mental health challenges can also be part of their strengths, or according to Dr. Freeman, their “superpowers.” Caring for any mental health vulnerabilities is essential in order to ensure you can leverage these strengths and continue on in the marathon that is entrepreneur life.

In this conversation we cover a wide range of topics related to entrepreneur mental health including what makes the entrepreneur brain unique, for better or for worse, why having empirical research on entrepreneur mental health is so important for shifting the conversation in the larger startup ecosystem and allowing for the advancement of treatment options, and Dr. Freeman’s two step approach for entrepreneurs who want to make sure they’re prioritizing their own mental health and well-being.

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Find Dr. Freeman online:

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• Econa website: http://www.econa.net
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfreemanmd/

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

Successfully navigating cofounder conflict is an important, yet often overlooked, topic which directly impacts the success and sustainability of startups. When conflicts arise between cofounders, it can disrupt the entire organization's functioning and hinder progress. Startups are already operating in high-pressure environments, with limited resources and tight timelines. In such circumstances, the presence of unresolved conflicts among cofounders can exacerbate stress levels, create a toxic work environment, and impede effective decision-making.

Understanding and addressing cofounder conflict allows entrepreneurs to proactively mitigate the risks associated with internal tensions, foster healthy relationships, and optimize their chances of achieving their business objectives.

This week on the show I’m introducing you to an expert on the topic of navigating cofounder conflict. Dr. Matthew Jones is a startup executive psychologist and coach to entrepreneurs. He’s worked with founders backed by many of the big-name VCs like Y Combinator, Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, and more. He specializes in helping cofounding teams improve their communication, teamwork, and decision-making.

In this episode, we explore what Matt has found drives much of the conflict amongst cofounding teams, how he helps his clients to navigate these challenges, and more.

Be sure to download Matt’s free e-book, “Stop Cofounder Conflict” - 

Stop Cofounder Conflict

Find Matt online:

• Free eBook, “Stop Cofounder Conflict”: https://stopcofounderconflict.com
• Website: https://cofounderclarity.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dr_MatthewJones
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-matthew-jones-7a832a37

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.