Practice Made Personal - JackHabbit

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Darren Steeves, Co-Founder of JackHabbit, located in Halifax, NS, Canada.

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

By combining digital health content, well-being products, live coaching, and behavioral health, JackHabbit's white label platform aggregates insurers, governments, and content providers' services in a SINGLE SIGN-ON system.

Our growth management system then intelligently guides each person to the care they need, when they need it, in the way they want. Our proven techniques are developed by leading scientists and experts.

Tell us about yourself

My purpose is to help as many people as possible live a high quality of life while living one myself. I have worked in the well-being, resilience, health, and performance field for over two decades.

I have consulted with large insurance companies, corporations, IT companies, top-level executives, Olympic Medalists, and World Champion athletes, and have attended Olympic Games. I have also been a professional speaker on topics related to well-being for over a decade and have published research, authored a book, and written columns for various newspapers.

All these learnings led me to co-found JackHabbit, a much-needed health behavior science white-label platform and app. JackHabbit uses the same techniques popular social media, gambling sites, and streaming services deploy, in addition to JackHabbit's own unique approach to engaging people in their health journey.

Working with digital health providers like insurance companies, JackHabbit offers unique features and branding sets to deliver compelling member-centric experiences by engaging people with providers' rich underused health content and apps. With co-founder and IT expert Zack Miller, proven techniques have been developed by leading scientists and experts in machine learning, AI, and behavioral science.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We have helped thousands so far that have used our service. We know as we get closer to 100K users and growing we can help more and more. We want to keep receiving messages like this every

Going over my moods throughout the weeks allowed me to gauge differences. When I look back at the logs, the days I was very negative and unfocused were largely after I had partied and used nicotine products the night before. This has helped me to confirm patterns and recognize factors like this. I believed myself to be very soft beforehand and unable to actually deal with challenges - when in reality, it was withdrawal from nicotine that had caused the sharp mood change! I have been successful at eliminating the usage of this and plan on staying that

I am generally an anxious person and would get very overwhelmed any time there was stress in my life. Which ultimately caused me to lose sleep and go on a downward spiral. Just before starting the app, I was overwhelmed with my studies, not getting enough sleep, and mentally and physically exhausted. I did not know how to focus and conquer the things I needed to in order to. The added stress of needing good grades and not getting them did not help the negative self-talk. Thankfully, now I can say I very rarely get anxious. When I do, I self-reflect, remember my goals and use a journal I keep with

Journaling, for me, has been the absolute biggest factor in my success in keeping my mind scattered-free and getting a good night's sleep, and not stressing about what I need to get done the following days. I am happy to say that using all of the tools and lessons I have learned throughout the course. I have managed to increase my grades (I increased an exam mark by over 20% from the first one I took just before starting the app.) and feel overall a new sense of purpose.

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

Interesting questions. I feel it depends on your personality and who you are. The always raising is not the most exciting part of the job for me, but some love it. I keep in mind it helps me accomplish my purpose. I would also suggest needing to work with people who do not share values. That is tough but sometimes you need to try. If it is killing your health, no matter the money or opportunity, it is not worth it.

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

1. We have heard the term build it and they will come. I prefer they come and you build it. Many have terrific ideas, but in the end, is someone going to use it, continue to use it, and ultimately pay for it. I do not want to discredit it needs to be married to your purpose and values. This can help get you through the tough times.
2. Another thing that gets you through tough times is strong mentors and advisers with shared values. You need to surround yourself with boosters and try to avoid depleters. I am not suggesting just cheerleaders but people who can be honest yet supportive. It is great to find a few who have been there and done it, successfully and not successfully. People who have taken out a loan on their mortgage to survive, have battle scars.
3. Lastly, look after your health.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jackhabbit.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jackhabbit/

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.