Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lourica Halteh, Co-Founder and CEO of Waverider, located in New York, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Waverider is dedicated to helping people with mental health illnesses regain control of their lives.
We believe it all starts with a better understanding of yourself, your patterns, and your triggers. So, we developed a provider-led digital DBT Diary Card that is customizable and easy to use.
Tell us about yourself
It all started with my sister, who has been living with bipolar disorder for over 20 years. Carla struggled to get a proper diagnosis, find proper care and support and learn the skills she needed to manage her symptoms. As her sister, it has always been hard to watch her struggle and not know how to help. This is a sentiment shared by most of our family and friends.
During the pandemic, my sister and I decided to work together to figure out how to make it easier for her and people like her to gain self-awareness, learn more about themselves and their symptoms, and get the support they need to take back control.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Putting together a good team. I was lucky to find people who were not only great at what they do but also had empathy and passion in their fields. Finding people you can trust who bring value to the process and development of what you're building is so important, especially with startups.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I have two. The first one is that you don't get to clock out. Once you start a company and become responsible for its success (or failure), it is all-encompassing. It can become very lonely and stressful if you do not have others to talk to who understand and advise you. Every day there are new fires and complex scenarios you are experiencing for the first time. The second is the fear of making mistakes. If you haven't done it before, you often feel like you have no idea what you are doing. You are going to make mistakes. Truly accepting that is something I still struggle with.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know everything you can know about the problem you are trying to solve. Make sure there is a market for what you are selling.
- Ask for help, advice, and information from people with relevant experience; informational interviews can give you useful insight.
- Don't make excuses - get things done, and don't procrastinate.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Embrace the journey; no matter what happens, you will come out of it with something valuable.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.waverider.io/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louricah/
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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