Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melony Hill, Founder of Stronger Than My Struggles, located in Baltimore, MD, USA.

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

I'm the Founder of Stronger Than My Struggles, a mental health and wellness brand geared toward survivors from all walks of life. We are on a mission to break the generational trauma perpetuated by the idea that "what happens in this house, stays in this house," and all the ways people who grow up in that type of environment are affected.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up in a family rife with domestic violence, lack of parenting, drug culture, and other forms of violence and abuse, I found myself in the streets making my own way early. By 10, my mother had died of HIV. I was separated from all of my siblings and a newly single mother. Refusing to be like the people I was raised around, I found myself striving hard to keep a job that allowed me to provide for myself and my son without returning to live with family and the trauma that surrounded them.

In 2017, my life started to fall apart, I thought I was ready to end life. I had been declared legally disabled and diagnosed with PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, dissociative identity disorder (multiple personalities), and fibromyalgia in 2010. My therapist, after 7.5 years, suddenly told me that she no longer accepted my insurance. My best friend, who was like a father to me, fell into a coma. I didn't know what to do, but God did.

God kept whispering the word "stronger than my struggles" in my subconscious. I realized eventually it wasn't just a phrase. It was a motto and a lifestyle. I found the mantra Stronger Than My Struggles to be the key to helping me and many other survivors live one day at a time.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There are so many amazing things I've been able to accomplish since launching Stronger Than My Struggles. I'd like to say my published books are my biggest accomplishment, but it isn't.

My biggest accomplishment was putting together the 4-city Crazy Like A Fox Black Mental Health Awareness Tour in 2019. I took 30 Black women up and down the east coast to talk about all types of struggles and losses that lead to mental distress or illness.

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

One of the hardest things that come with working with trauma survivors is being cautious of how attached to me I allow them to get. Being a healer and coach, some see me as their support, when in reality, it's the whole STMS community. Trauma bonding is real, and in every aspect of business, we must make sure we stay aligned with our core values.

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

  1. The first thing I'd tell them is to be sure they're starting a business doing something that they love and enjoy doing. Starting your own business requires so much more energy, effort, and innovation than a job will ever require. You may also work at a loss for a while. Make sure it's something worth the sacrifice to you.
  2. Do your research, but also contract others who know more than you to help show you the way. There are so many small things that could create huge problems later if you don't handle paperwork, taxes, state regulations, etc.
  3. Expect more support from strangers than your friends and family. Your friends and family may not be your client

Furthermore, they may not be ready to see you succeed. Their lack of support will not stop a great business idea.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Mental health matters to us at Stronger Than My Struggles. Every Tuesday, we host Writing For My Sanity, a free virtual therapeutic writing workshop virtually via zoom. Register here to join.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.strongerthanmystruggles.com/social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrongerThanMyStruggles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongerthanmystruggles/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stmsbmore
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melonyhill/

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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