EP14: Balancing Act: Kristin Darga on Entrepreneurship, Self-Discovery, and Well-Being

Every entrepreneur faces challenges, but what happens when those challenges become overwhelming? In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, host Alex Raymond dives deep into the world of entrepreneurship and mental health with guest Kristen Darga, Founder of Impact Founder. Kristen's journey from a simple photography exhibit to a beacon for entrepreneurs struggling with mental health issues is both inspiring and eye-opening. Through their conversation, they explore the surprises and challenges Kristen faced, the profound impact of her work, and how it has evolved in response to the pandemic. They discuss the importance of reshaping the narrative around entrepreneurship and mental health, and the need for open conversations and support systems. As a conscious entrepreneur, Kristen emphasizes the value of building connections, having a support network, and taking care of mind, body, and soul. She shares her personal experiences with imposter syndrome, panic attacks, and long COVID, and how she navigated through them with self-reflection, therapy, and a focus on overall well-being. This episode is a powerful reminder that being a conscious entrepreneur means prioritizing personal well-being while building a successful business. If you're an entrepreneur looking for tools and resources to thrive and succeed, this conversation will resonate with you. Key Takeaways: Building connections and having open conversations about mental health before it becomes a crisis is crucial for entrepreneurs. Giving yourself space and time to hear your own thoughts and desires is important for personal and professional growth. Engaging in fun adventures and surrounding yourself with a supportive community can contribute to overall well-being as an entrepreneur. Quotes: “In growing Impact Founder over the years, I was told many times people wouldn't want to talk about it or that it wasn't relevant. And it becomes relevant when someone takes their life. And that's not the kind of relevancy that I want to have, unfortunately. But it's very real and it's something that founders really do deal with. And luckily more people are talking about it.” (6:35 | Kristin Darga) “That committed listener, no matter what name we give it, coach, therapist, friend, partner, that is imperative to having someone to go to when you really do feel that way. And having that ahead of time allows you that if you are in that place, that you have someone or you have something there for you.” (10:15 | Kristin Darga) “I am alone in a bubble at home in my thoughts. I can hear things, but I really then need to actually be in conversation with someone to build it. The quiet allows me to hear it, and then the conversation allows me to create it.” (33:14 | Kristin Darga) Links Connect with Kristin Darga: Website: https://www.impactfounder.com/ Instagram: @kristindarga LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristindarga/ Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm