The Very Real Stress of an Entrepreneur - How to Handle Stress & Stay Resilient

Starting and scaling a business isn’t just about strategy—it’s a mental game. The pressure, setbacks, and isolation can break even the toughest entrepreneurs. In this episode of Lunch with Norm, Kevin Oldham, founder of DeFactory, joins Norm Farrar to discuss the real struggles of entrepreneurship, mental health, and building resilience.

🔥 Key Topics:

- Why mental health challenges like anxiety, ADHD, and addiction affect so many entrepreneurs.

- How to build resilience and manage stress in business.

- The 75% rule: Why most entrepreneurs regret selling their business.

- How to prepare for an exit strategy that won’t leave you lost.

- The power of mastermind groups and support networks.

Whether you're facing burnout, struggling with self-doubt, or planning an exit, this episode is filled with real talk and actionable advice on how to survive and thrive as an entrepreneur.

📩 How do you handle the stress of entrepreneurship? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

✅ Don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more insights on business, branding, and mental resilience.

🎯 Links & Resources Mentioned:

Kevin Oldham’s Company – DeFactory: defactory.com

Follow Kevin & Learn More: bethefilament.com Lunch with Norm Newsletter: LWN.news

I encourage you to reach out to people in your lives to either seek support, offer support, or check in. If you or someone you know needs help, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone and ask for help. If that feels scary, you can call the mental health and suicide prevention hotline for support by dialing 988

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 The Harsh Reality of Entrepreneurship

00:42 Introducing Kevin Oldham

02:42 Kevin's Journey and Mission

04:23 The Mental Health Struggles of Entrepreneurs

07:57 Coping Mechanisms and Support Systems

14:39 Identifying and Managing Mental Health Issues

22:51 Turning a Bad Day Around

23:43 Small Wins for Big Confidence

27:56 Lessons from Failure

34:05 Embracing AI and the Future

36:32 Avoiding Seller's Remorse