Providing Sustained Energy and Focus

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stefany Nieto, co-founder and COO of Gwella Mushrooms Inc., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I'm a co-founder of Gwella Mushrooms! Our journey began when a group of curious individuals sought to reverse-engineer the reported effects of a psilocybin microdose without the psilocybin. It took us from the forest floor to clinical trials in search of an effective method of boosting energy, focus, clarity, and mood — and we finally cracked the code with Mojo Microdose.

Our audience is the millions of people who use psychedelics to improve energy and productivity, boost their mood, clear their minds, and/or have profound life-changing experiences through altering their consciousness.

Tell us about yourself

My origin story goes back to Venezuela. I lived there until I was five years old and then immigrated across Trinidad & Tobago, USA, and eventually to Canada, where I now reside. During university, I fell in love with social enterprises and impact challenges which launched my entrepreneurial journey. My first company focused on food sovereignty in remote Canada, including the Arctic! When the pandemic hit, I realized that the organization I spent eight years of my life with was no longer my passion, and the transition began.

As an avid wellness advocate and psychedelic fan, Gwella was the perfect fit for the future I aimed to build both for myself and our broader community, which is also what motivates me. The world of fungi and plant medicines is vast and full of promise. Our goal is to help people discover all of these potential benefits in the ways that suit their needs best. We envision that together, we can build a world where access and acceptance of plant-based medicine and psychedelics is the norm.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Most recently, it’s been following my own passions. Mushrooms and psychedelics in recent times have gotten a bad rep; due to my association with social good, I had kept my psychedelic advocacy quiet. Recently though, I decided to take the jump and publicly support mushrooms and share my own experiences, especially through Gwella’s platform as a form of advocacy. I hope it inspires other closeted psychedelic enthusiasts to share their own experiences, thus moving the needle on psychedelic branding across the globe.

To date, though, I’d have to say the accomplishment I'm proudest of is making agriculture a possibility in the Arctic circle. That’s been pretty cool.

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

While using your experience as a leader to inform decisions is necessary, one of the hardest things is keeping personal bias out of the equation when it comes to decision-making.

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

Wake up early to get more out of your day.
Go to bed early so you can accomplish #1.
Remember to be human and maintain your social relationships. A happier you = a more productive you.

Having faced burnout, prioritizing life/work balance is crucial as a founder. I always tell my mentees that we only get so much time, sanity, and resources, and we must use them wisely. In terms of best tips, it’s all about organization and sleep for me. Friends may judge me occasionally, but I try to get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, and I religiously use Workflowy to keep me accountable and on task.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://mojo.shop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stef.psych/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stef_psych
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanynieto/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.