The Business of Us

The Emotional Labor of Entrepreneurship


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Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s an emotional rollercoaster. The Business of Us dives into the mental health realities of entrepreneurs, exploring how pre-existing conditions can be exacerbated and, in some cases, entirely induced by the high-stakes world of business ownership. With 38% of entrepreneurs facing at least one mental health condition, we examine the personality traits that make founders thrive—and the emotional labor that comes with it. From the isolation and sleepless nights to the drive for achievement, we’ll unpack how business owners can protect their well-being without sacrificing their ambition.

Key takeaways from today's episode:

  • Entrepreneurship demands massive emotional labor—understanding it is the first step to managing it.
  • Mental health struggles aren’t uncommon in entrepreneurship; the highs and lows of the journey can amplify or even create them.
  • Founders benefit from prioritizing mental well-being—sleep, social support, outdoor time, and self-care matter as much as strategy.
  • The “Entrepreneurial Emotional Labor Union” mindset: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry the burden in silence.
  • Be a realist: don’t pretend things are great when they aren’t, and remember to set goals beyond just business success.
  • Entrepreneurship can be addictive—balance ambition with personal well-being.
  • Always love something as much as you love your company.

The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby.

We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at [email protected] to share what’s on your mind.

Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.

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The Business of UsBy Cameron Madill and Jamie Born