Entrepreneurial Self-Care: How to Prioritize Mental Health Without Sacrificing Business Growth

By Crystal Guzman (EO Los Angeles — Valley), a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Founder and CEO of Find Your Balance Center for Growth and Change.

A few years ago, I became a single mother juggling three kids. Simultaneously, I had a rapidly growing therapy practice, and carried the emotional weight of guiding clients through their darkest moments. As a licensed therapist, you would think I might be immune to burnout or being a workaholic. In fact, I was almost a textbook case.

The phone never stopped ringing, especially during the height of COVID. Clients were desperate for help, and I wanted to be there for all of them. I kept saying “yes” even when my tank was on empty.

That is when I realized something crucial: I couldn’t keep building a business meant to help others if I did not make time for myself.

Burnout Does Not Wait for Permission

Entrepreneurs are notoriously bad at taking breaks. We wear our exhaustion like a badge of honor. But over time, that approach breaks you down. I have seen this in my team of more than 40 therapists I lead at Find Your Balance. High irritability, forgetfulness, headaches, frequently calling in sick, and a loss of passion for the work — these are all early signs of burnout.

Those are all easy to ignore when you are in growth mode and every hour feels mission-critical, but burnout does not ask permission. If you do not prioritize your mental health, your business will ultimately suffer right alongside you.

 

Self-Care Strategies

Step outside: Take a quick walk. Even two minutes in the sun listening to birds helps.

Practice visualization: Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and picture the calmest place you know. Engage all your senses — what do you see, hear, and smell?

Meditate: Focus on one sound around you and let everything else fade. This can reset your nervous system in under five minutes.

Learn to say “no”: Setting boundaries around your time, energy, and availability is not selfish — it is essential.

Find community: Find a tribe of friends or peers who can empathize with you.

Making the Most of a Few Minutes

Self-care does not require bubble baths and spa days. For business owners like us, it must be practical and fast. Even 10-minute break can dramatically shift your mindset if you do it with intentionality.

Here’s what works for me:

• Step outside. Take a quick walk. Even two minutes in the sun listening to birds helps.
• Practice visualization. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and picture the calmest place you know. Engage all your senses — what do you see, hear, and smell?
• Meditate. Focus on one sound around you and let everything else fade. This can reset your nervous system in under five minutes.

These are not just stress relievers; they are performance enhancers. When I pause to reset, I return to work more focused and effective. You do not need an hour to unplug: You simply need intention.

One of the most powerful self-care tools I have learned is saying “no.” Setting boundaries around your time, energy, and availability is not selfish — it is essential. I had to learn to protect my peace before I could truly serve others. That meant carving out non-negotiable time for rest, family, and spiritual connection. It also meant trusting that the business would not collapse if I stepped away for a moment.

Find Meaning in the Mission

For a long time, my sense of self-worth was directly tied to the success of my business. A slow month made me feel like a failure. A dip in revenue sent me into panic. I know I am not alone in this, as many entrepreneurs equate their value with their performance.

But that can be a dangerous game. Over time, I have learned to take the long view. Business has peaks and valleys. What matters most is the overall trajectory and the impact you are making. My business now serves thousands through bilingual telehealth services across Southern California. We are there for underserved communities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans — people who desperately need a safe space to be seen and heard.

Providing vital services to those who need it most has been incredibly enriching. Increasingly, I have found meaning in my mission, not my bottom line.

Crystal Guzman (EO Los Angeles — Valley)

The Power of Peer Support

Community matters more than you think. Being part of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) has given me a tribe of peers who understand exactly what I am going through. When a vital employee left earlier this year and took several team members and clients with them to start a new practice, members of my EO Forum helped me cope by suggesting ways I could take action and rebound.

I spoke to business owners who had endured similar struggles and came out stronger. That support gave me the perspective and courage to rebuild quickly. Within two months, I replaced the employees, clients, and revenue that we had lost.

As a therapist, mental health is front and center in my world, but I know most business owners do not live in that space. That is why you must be intentional. Make mental health a non-negotiable part of your leadership strategy for yourself and your team. Talk about it. Normalize it. Invest in it. Whether that means offering an employee assistance program, encouraging breaks, or modeling self-care, create a culture where mental wellness matters.

After all, you cannot grow a thriving business if you are running on empty. Your health — mental, emotional, and physical — is your foundation for success. Be sure not to neglect it.