You Are Not Your Startup.

Founders suffer intense mental health problems. Here's why.

Author’s Note: Good morning, Founders! I’ve decided to release my first (of many) exclusive, long-form articles to F2F three months early! I’m excited to start this new chapter of F2F through this original content series. I truly hope these standalone pieces provide insight and generate discussions you wouldn’t normally have had about early-stage entrepreneurship among your professional circles, friend groups, and the broader F2F community!

Enjoy!

Also, I’ll be hosting a Twitter Space to talk about this article @ 6 PM PST/8 PM CST/ 9 PM EST. Make sure to follow me on Twitter @fredsoda to be notified!

Soda

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A founder gets an idea and starts a company. 

They go on to raise venture capital funding.

They work tirelessly to realize their company’s vision and valuation.

The long hours leave them seeing their startup as a major part of their identity.

When a founder looks in the mirror, they see their company instead of their reflection.

When the company does well, they are doing well.

When the company does poorly, they are doing poorly.

Therefore, the founder is the company.

I’m here to tell you otherwise.

You are not your startup.