Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Munns, Principal & Founder of Resilient Me, located in Peterborough, Lincs, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a training company whose core offering is raising mental health awareness and building well-being and resilience. The company has two arms: one for young people in schools and colleges, the other to help companies to support their staff.
Tell us about yourself
I am a trainer, a trained counselor, a mental health first aider, and a mindfulness practitioner, but it is my real-life experience of supporting poor mental health that motivated me to set up Resilient Me.
Eleven years ago, my life was fairly simple – I went to work, so did my husband, and our 2 kids went to school. Until the day I came home and found my husband lying on the sofa – grey, sweating, and shaking. Let me tell you a little bit about Tony. He was a very capable senior manager – Head of Creative Services for a large travel company. He loved his job and was passionate about supporting his team. He was energetic, capable, and a force to be reckoned with (sounds like most senior managers - right?). He never worried about anything (annoyingly) and would NEVER have described himself as stressed. Until he blacked out at the wheel driving home from work. We later discovered that the blackout had been caused by stress. It led to a lifelong heart condition and two years of pretty severe mental health issues.
But that's not the end of it! Just as Tony was recovering, our eldest son started having severe anxiety issues that ultimately forced us to take him for a suicide assessment. He is autistic and severe bullying led to serious mental health issues that we are still managing (successfully) today. There is very little support available for sufferers of mental health issues – and even less for those who support them – family, friends, or colleagues.
That's where I come in. Both my husband and son are thriving now because of the practices we put in place to help them recover – the same practices that could have stopped them from becoming ill in the first place! Through my company, Resilient Me (www.resilientme.co.uk), we provide full support for Business Leaders, HR Leaders, Managers, MHFAs, and staff through consultancy and training: face-to-face, virtually, or online. We also go into schools and work with young people. Our belief is that being proactive is far better than reactive. It's easier to educate a child than to 'fix' an adult.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We have saved lives. End of.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
You never really switch off. Although I am a trained mindfulness practitioner, and I encourage people to prioritise their own well-being (which I also do), I still feel as though I'm on call 24/7 - checking emails on holiday and at weekends, catching up with admin in the evenings, and so on. I'm ok with this for now. My business is growing rapidly, and I can see a time in the not-too-distant future when I will be able to step back a little and allow others to carry some of the weight. The flip side of this coin is that I have incredible flexibility with my time, so if one of my kids needs me, I can be there. Or, if I fancy a long weekend away - well, I'm the boss, so I always get permission to go.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Surround yourself with people who care as much as you do.
- Be prepared to work hard but make sure you keep this balanced with looking after yourself.
- Learn about social media promotion (note to self - I am RUBBISH at this and need to learn more).
- Don't limit yourself (hence 5 tips rather than 3).
- Have core values, core products, and key brand values, and keep your message true to them.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.resilientme.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/589798961621391
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-munns-resilientme/
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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