How do you discuss topics of burn out and stress with your Founders?
When it comes to caring for them, I am almost like a psychologist (laugh). I listen to them, what their challenges are, help them improve the communication and tell them it is okay to say sorry to their wives (laugh again).
I invest into their “emotional bank accounts” by sharing my experience and feelings. And then let them download on me. It actually also helps me to take their load off, because when they feel better, I feel better that I helped someone. It excites me to give back and to help them not sink into a worse situation.
Why do you take the time to care about your Founders’ mental health?
When I was doing my first venture capital backed company, I felt like I had no support. Although I had some family, a girlfriend, and friends, they could not completely empathize what I was going through. The pains of getting rejected constantly was starting to get to me, and my insecurities surfaced. I started to wonder, “Is it me?” is it the fantasy of possibility having the big money? I built a lot of companies and they failed. And I built more, and they exited successfully.
So, I know when stressed, things can go bad. I know the pains and what entrepreneurs go through. I know how they feel when their wives are upset with them for not having more time to play with the kids or complain that they lose their temper too easily at their wives and kids because of the stressed.
So, I want to help them out. I do not worry so much about return, I honestly care, and hope they do not have to go through what I have been through. And it is about creating an ecosystem, so that this new generation of founders will care about the future generations. We need to help and support each other!
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