Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental health but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Sanctuary is a non-profit founded right here in Vancouver, Canada, but now impacting faith communities around the world. We offer free resources to Churches of all denominations and traditions to equip the church to support mental health and wellbeing.

Tell us about yourself

I am formerly a full-time vocational Church pastor from the UK. I moved to Vancouver after experiencing a period of burnout that I had no framework or language to fully understand. I came here to study at a graduate school in 2014, I came for a year, and now eight years later, my family and I are imminently becoming Canadian Citizens - this is now our home. I came to this role because I needed a job, and a new friend at the time suggested a job posting for a very small non-profit called Sanctuary Mental Health. When I took over, it was a small local non-profit, impacting approx. 2000 people per year. Today our resources are used in over 60 countries, impacting close to 200,000 people so far. Our annual budget has been 8x in the last six years.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Two things stand out. Firstly, scaling a small regionally located non-profit with a couple of PT staff and scaling it to the point where we are recognized as an international leader in this field is so exciting. Secondly, building a staff culture of support, transparency, and mutual encouragement has been a thrill for me too. Our staff set the tone for how the whole organization works, and I would say that our ability to have difficult conversations and be person-focused are values that have served us so well. I especially see this in our handling of relational difficulties, it is impossible to avoid relational challenges in any group of people, but I have seen a consistent posture of listening, affirming, and apology when things have been less than ideal - I know how valuable these qualities are, and how they create a space where personal and corporate growth can take place. I am very proud to be a part of this team.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Scaling is hard. Recognizing the unique stage of growth you're in and discerning the best way forward in this unique moment is tiring and challenging. Also, ensuring that people stay in their lanes (especially myself) is important. When I started at Sanctuary, I was involved in everything, there was a lot of "heavy lifting" that fell on me (which I actually quite enjoyed), but as the organization has grown and evolved, I have had to become more focused and disciplined in what I give my time too. That early entrepreneurial spirit that wants to get my hands dirty in every facet of the organization is something I now have to actively fight against because it's best this way, both for the organization and for my family and me too.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Recognize the season you're in as an organization and adapt to what is needed in each specific and unique moment. And find people who can help you to navigate that (a coach, a mentor, a friend).
  2. Be extra sure to get the first hire(s) right. Character beats competency every day of the week (though these qualities are not necessarily mutually exclusive). Find smart people who can work stuff out, and ensure that they're people you trust and respect. A bad hire can set you back a long way. I have learned the hard way to be ultra-cautious, especially in those early hires.
  3. Simplify and focus your vision. It is better to be an expert at one thing than to be average at many things. For example, if you make amazing pasta, just make amazing pasta - don't make pizza as well unless you can do an equally good job.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

As an immigrant, I love how Vancouver is a city that has encouraged my entrepreneurial gift. I think that there is a lot about living in this part of the world that implicitly encourages pioneering innovation. For those that have always lived here, you may not even realize it, but for me as an immigrant, I am incredibly grateful for this unique opportunity to lead a unique and innovative organization and to have so much encouragement and support from everyday Canadian citizens. Thank you, Canada.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanctuarymentalhealth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctuarymentalhealth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sanctuaryMH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sanctuarymentalhealth/

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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