Launching a business is a daunting task for anybody, but for refugees and people seeking asylum, the venture comes with an additional set of mental health challenges. We spoke with two entrepreneurs, Sparrow Uganda, a multi-talented creative, and Rawan Abdin, founder of One of a Kind Skincare, about their experiences starting and managing a business in the current economic and social landscape.
Adjusting to a new culture while navigating the business world presents significant challenges for some entrepreneurs. Sparrow, reflecting on his experience, shared, “culture shock was one of my big challenges because I have never been in a big multicultural country with different beliefs and practices.” His approach to overcoming this obstacle was both practical and creative. Sparrow explains that he focused on being open-minded and channeling his experiences into his art. This strategy helped Sparrow adapt to his new working environment. It also infused his work with unique perspectives and turned a potential setback into a source of inspiration.
Rawan’s struggle centred more on internal battles. “The biggest mental health challenge I faced was not having the confidence to start,” she revealed. This lack of confidence was compounded by “the feeling of being alone and not being able to talk freely about my business idea to many people in my circle.”
Rawan’s experience highlights a common issue faced by many refugee entrepreneurs. The isolation that comes from being in a new country without an established network can exacerbate feelings of self-doubt and make the already challenging task of starting a business seem even more daunting.
Both Sparrow and Rawan emphasised the importance of support systems in maintaining good mental health. For Rawan, “having a good social network and turning to family has been helpful… especially when I feel stressed and overwhelmed.” She stressed the vital role of a support network, particularly in the early stages of business.
“Ensuring you have a good support system is crucial when you’re starting up a business,” Rawan added, “because there will be many moments when you need to turn to them.” She emphasised how these connections can offer emotional support and practical guidance, especially during challenging times.
Finding sustainable ways to manage the demands of a business while also taking care of personal well-being is a challenge that many entrepreneurs face, regardless of their background. When it comes to balancing business demands with personal well-being, Sparrow and Rawan had different approaches. Sparrow believes in finding equilibrium, “Life is a balance, I believe. Everything is important, you just have to figure a way to balance so you can stay on top.” This philosophy suggests a conscious effort to maintain boundaries between work and personal life, which can be crucial for long-term mental health.
Rawan, however, admitted to struggling with this aspect: “I simply don’t if I am honest. For me, being in business means working 24 hours a day. My mind is always racing with new ideas.” She added, “I find myself working in between moments throughout the day. At present, this approach suits me well so I am grateful.”
Both Sparrow and Rawan find strength in aligning their businesses with their personal values. Rawan noted that being open about her values from the beginning has “been a positive experience because it is authentic to who I am.” She elaborated, “I have also found people along the way that have similar values and therefore have created a really nice and positive community. It’s really important to stand by your values and be open about them with your community.”
Sparrow echoed this sentiment, stating that his approach involves “being true to myself and doing what I think is right.” Aligning personal values with business practices can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment that goes beyond financial success, contributing positively to mental well-being.
When faced with setbacks, both Sparrow and Rawan maintain a positive outlook. Sparrow sees setbacks as “part of the business,” emphasising the need to “learn from it and adjust so you can achieve your goals.” This pragmatic approach allows him to view challenges as learning opportunities rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Rawan takes it a step further, viewing setbacks as opportunities: “These are not necessarily setbacks but rather stepping stones to further success.” She advises, “With any setback in life, it is important to reflect on it, understand what happened, where you went wrong and learn from it.” This reframing of challenges as opportunities for growth is a powerful mental tool that can help entrepreneurs stay focused and motivated, even during difficult times.
Their advice to other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges? Rawan encourages taking that first step: “You will never know unless you try!” She shares the advice that helped her overcome her initial fear: “Just start and just let go of any expectations and just see where the road goes.” This emphasis on action over perfection can be a powerful way to overcome the paralysis that often comes with self-doubt.
Sparrow recommends continuous learning: “Reading and seeking information about my business and looking up to people who are doing well in the business I’m in, and learning from them. ” This commitment to ongoing education and improvement can benefit the business and provide a sense of progress and achievement that contributes to positive mental health.
The experiences of Rawan and Sparrow show that entrepreneurial success isn’t just about having a strong business acumen. It’s equally about developing mental resilience, building supportive networks and staying true to personal values. Maintaining good mental health in business is as important as developing a sound business strategy.
Feature photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash
Additional resources