Laura Shook Guzman
Building a Business is Hard. Carrying the Weight Alone is Harder.
Entrepreneurship demands immense dedication, pushing founders through long hours and high stress. Due to mental health stigma in entrepreneurship, many founders are carrying the weight alone and are at risk of suffering in silence.
But you don't have to carry it alone.
The Tools4Founders project exists to break the silence around founder mental health and help you discover tools, community, and support for your journey.
Your mental health is your greatest asset. Let's build a healthier way to work, together.
The Struggle Is Real
According to Dr. Michael Freeman, 72% of entrepreneurs suffer from one or more mental health issues. The emotional labor, isolation, and financial risk of building a company take a profound toll — yet this "shadow side of ambition" is rarely discussed.
3X
Depression & Anxiety
More likely than the general population
6X
ADHD
More likely among entrepreneurs
3X
Substance Abuse
Higher risk for founders
10X
Bipolar Disorder
Significantly elevated risk
Launched in May 2021 in partnership with Mental Health Awareness Month, the #Tools4Founders project reminds entrepreneurs they are not alone. Share your story, spread awareness, and access our growing toolkit.
Mental Health Programs for Founders
A curated selection of programs, communities, and tools built specifically for entrepreneurs navigating stress, burnout, and mental health challenges.
1:1 sessions and peer support groups for entrepreneurs, facilitated by somatic psychotherapist Laura Shook Guzman, LMFT. Schedule a free consultation.
Helping founders thrive through coaching, therapy, and community — building teams around founders in service of personal wellness and professional development.
Practical nervous system support for founders. Neuroscience-grounded audio episodes, 10 minutes or less a day, delivered as a private podcast.
A global center of excellence for entrepreneur mental wellness — evidence-based workshops, peer support groups, and academic research on founder-centric solutions.
Helping Founders Scale without Sacrificing what Matters Most- Professional and Peer Support plus Adaptive, Integrative Growth™ Platform.
Membership community for entrepreneurs, founders and CEOs, featuring facilitated peer support groups and local chapter events. Apply
More Programs & Resources
The world's first gym for mental health — therapist-led emotional fitness classes and matchmaking, co-founded by Alexa Meyer and Dr. Emily Anhalt.
A movement and podcast for Black Entrepreneurs led by Dr. JaNaé Taylor. Apply to join the Mindful Moguls Program cohort.
Get the Cofounder Mode card deck and start building stronger, more aligned founding teams today.
Build stronger cofounder relationships with assessment tools, expert coaching and resources.
Identify how past trauma may influence your daily business operations. Developed by Nicole Lewis-Keeber, LCSW.
Cofounders learn to repair trust, navigate conflict, and scale a culture of clarity, alignment, and resilience. Developed by Dr. Matthew Jones.
Scientifically proven system that allows high-pressure high-achievers to 10x without burnout.
Fueling founders to take on the highs & lows of life leading a startup amongst an epic community of founders who get it.
Podcasts, Videos & Articles
Videos
Articles
Books for Founders
Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind — Andy Dunn
A Memoir About Risking It All — John Roa
Sherry Walling, PhD
How to Be a Resilient Entrepreneur — Erik Severinghaus
Dr. Mathew Jones
Dr. Paul Hokemeyer
Retreats & Events for Founders
Conscious Ambition provides a sanctuary—a 1–4 day immersive therapeutic journey designed specifically for founders facing the crucible of transition, crisis, or deep-seated burnout. Reclaim your clarity, heal the exhaustion, and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose. Book your confidential consultation today.
- 2023: Full Transparency — Ending Mental Health Stigma in Entrepreneurship featuring Kari Sulenes, JaNae Taylor Ph.D., and Ariana Vargas
- 2023: The Resilient Business Leader's Retreat — a gender-inclusive event to pause, reset, and restore
2026 events coming soon! Recommend an event.
Take the First Step
You don't have to navigate this alone. Check in with yourself today — and explore the resources, community, and support built for founders like you.
Entrepreneur Wellbeing Check
Identify early signs of stress and burnout in two minutes. Take the test.
Founder Mental Health Pledge
Advocate for destigmatizing mental healthcare in the startup community. Sign the pledge.
Founder Well-being Research
Read the latest research in founder well-being from Startup Snapshot and their parters.
Find An Expert
Therapists, Coaches and Wellbeing Experts who specialize in supporting founder's mental health
Apply for Therapy Grants
Kabila Mental Health Fund, sponsored by the Techstars Foundation, provides free, confidential mental therapy specifically to startup founders, often covering services that help them thrive.
Stay in the loop
for all things mental health and entrepreneurship
© 2026 Founders Mental Health I laura@laurashookguzman.com
