Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental health but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeff Riseley, founder of Sales Health Alliance, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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

Anxiety in sales is NOT optional. It's part of everyday life. That's why the Sales Health Alliance was created to empower salespeople and leaders to reach peak sales performance and well-being levels through better mental health.

Whether it's missing targets, micro-management, buyers ghosting, or dealing with constant rejection, the sales environment can make it extremely difficult for salespeople to manage their stress levels effectively. Over time, this negatively impacts mental health, making it hard to thrive inside and outside of sales.


Our aim is to equip salespeople with the mental health, resilience, mindset and stress-management strategies they need to perform their best each day.

Tell us about yourself

The motivation to start Sales Health Alliance really came from my own experience working in sales. I had terrible anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks early on in my career. There was so much stigma around Mental Health in sales that I never felt like I could be open with my peers or manager, even though it directly impacted my ability to sell.

My motivation comes from knowing there are sales reps and leaders out there who are struggling each day. Struggling to sleep, hiding how they're feeling, and fearful of what might happen if they open up. If I can make just a 1% difference in their lives, then I've done my part to make sales a more supportive and psychologically safe environment for others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The biggest accomplishment would definitely be building and growing a business during a global pandemic. I'm proud that I'll be able to look back on this chaotic time in the world and confidently say that I was able to make meaningful contributions to helping make the world a better place.

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

Definitely managing uncertainty and self-doubt. Unlike a typical 9-5 job where you have a steady paycheck, there will be times when you don't know where your next deal or chunk of revenue is going to come from. This can sometimes make it hard to take time off or enjoy more expensive experiences with friends.

What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Know your "Why" and make sure it's bigger than yourself. If your purpose for starting a business is to make money or "be an entrepreneur," that's not good enough. You need to be emotionally connected to your work. If you're not - then you'll always be looking for "easier" ways to make money or be an entrepreneur in the face of adversity.
  2. Prioritize sleep, exercise, and eat a healthy diet. No one can outrun burnout, and if you neglect these basic needs - you and your company will be in trouble.
  3. Play or do one thing that brings you joy each day. Starting a business can take over your identity if you're not careful. Making sure you keep your hobbies, play sports, and spend time with friends and family regularly will help keep you balanced.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

95% of everything you see in this world (restaurants, roads, products, etc.) have been built by people as capable or less capable than you are today. All they did was say f*ck it and give that idea a try.

Why are you living in their world and playing by their rules?
Create something meaningful and spend time working on a problem that is important to you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://saleshealthalliance.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffriseley/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.