Laura Valentine has a vision for the future of entrepreneurial mental health

Like most entrepreneurship and small business opportunities, coworking is an exciting and rewarding endeavors. But operating a coworking business, whether as owner or community manager, can also present unique mental health challenges. 

Laura Valentine is a licensed clinician and the founder of Lavni, an app aiming to increase mental health accessibility in underserved communities. (And the name Lavni, is not, in fact, a play on her name. It means ‘future’ in Haitian Creole.) 

As Mental Health Awareness Month wrapped up, Valentine shed light on these challenges and the importance of seeking professional help when needed.

“The hustle culture of entrepreneurship often leaves little room for balance,” she said. “Founders, engrossed in building their dream, often neglect their mental wellbeing.”

Valentine was particularly struck by a statistic in a previous post on mental health, where a reported 72% of entrepreneurs admitted to facing some mental health issue. “I think the actual figure is likely higher,” she told us. 

As a coworking space owner, operator, or community manager, it is vital not only to recognize these mental health challenges in your life but also to understand the struggles that your community might be facing. But we’re all under pressure. We all have rough days. So how do we distinguish between a bad day and a potential mental health concern that warrants professional help? 

Valentine recommends looking out for signs such as:

1. You have difficulty regulating your emotions.
2. You have an increasing desire for isolation.
3. You experience changes in eating and sleeping habits.
4. You have a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
5. You’re using more unhealthy coping habits, such as food, alcohol, substances, or retail.
6. You feel burdened by your support system — the family and friends who once were comforting.
7. You don’t feel improvement from self-help techniques like meditation, affirmations, exercise, or journaling.

Crucially, burnout is common in the early stages of building a business, and recognizing it is key. 

“When the things that give you comfort — hobbies, friends, loved ones — get sidelined, and rest seems like a luxury you haven't earned, you might be burning out. But the pressure to achieve is real. I like to remind people — and myself — that the only person who will remember you working long hours 20 years from now is someone who loves you, like your child.”

Despite this, the stigma surrounding mental health often acts as a barrier to seeking help, especially in the startup world. This is where apps like Lavni come into the picture, breaking down these barriers and making therapy accessible to all, including the often-overlooked caretakers like teachers, EMS personnel, and nurses.

“Certain communities are underserved in mental health due to a multitude of factors, such as cultural biases against therapy, mistrust of institutional organizations, and historical misdiagnoses due to a lack of cultural understanding. Add to that the logistic and financial burdens—a working parent may struggle to find the time for therapy, and many see it as a luxury they can't afford.”

Fortunately, the pandemic has catalyzed change in the right direction. Valentine notes, "The only good thing about the pandemic was that it showed us that our mental health is important." With virtual therapy becoming the norm, location and mobility no longer pose barriers to access.

Lavni's mission is clear: Make mental health services accessible and affordable, particularly for BIPOC and other underserved communities. 

As the modern world increasingly recognizes mental health as a critical part of overall well being, founders and small business managers should also heed this call. “To be at your best,” she said, “and thus help your coworking business thrive, it's important to prioritize your mental health and encourage your member community to do the same.”