A business-triggered breakdown inspired Billie Goat Soap founder Leanne Faulkner to help other small business owners | #437

Leanne Faulkner launched Billy Goat Soap from her kitchen in response to her son’s eczema. By 2010 she had 20 employees and sold product in over 2000 outlets across Australia. By 2011 Australian retailing had slowed significantly, and this took a huge toll on her mental health. After some time off, she returned to work, selling the business a year later. Today, Leanne is a small business mentor and well-being adviser who has a deep passion for ensuring other small business owners don’t experience the same lows as she did.

“It’s critical for small business owners to have some sort of interest that is not work-related. The minute you stop doing that because you just don’t have the time or concentration, that can be a red flag indicating your mental health is under pressure.” - Leanne Faulkner, Fortitude at Work

There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview. 

 

Fortitude at Work’s Leanne Faulkner also shares:

• How she grew Billie Goat Soap in to a mini empire
• The highs and lows she experienced in growing the business
• How she managed her way through a mental breakdown triggered by the business
• The signs small business owners should watch out for in regards to managing their mental health
• How to manage adversity in business
• And much, much more

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Leanne Faulkner:

1. Plan for your health and wellbeing before you need to.
2. Talk to someone regularly about how you and your business is going.
3. Separate yourself from your business.

 

Resources mentioned:

• Billie Goat Soap’s official website
• Leanne’s new business - Fortitude at Work
• Lifeline Australia
• Ahead for Business
• Heads Up - Better mental health in the workplace
• ATO - Small business owners experiencing mental health issues
• Victorian Small Business Commission - Mental health plan
• Safe Work NSW
• Workcover Queensland

 

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