Educating Entrepreneurs on Mental Health

Steven Lewis • March 11, 2019

The Boost Pad exists to provide underrepresented entrepreneurs with the resources they need to build successful businesses. Of course, that means business training and professional mentorship, but you might not have considered the importance of mental health training for entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs are typically self-driven individuals used to working in high-pressure, high-stakes situations. On the outside, it can look like everything is okay – even when they are really struggling on the inside. We decided it was important to equip our cohort members with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain their mental health.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

An Expert Who Understands Our Community

The Boost Pad partnered with Tameka Brewington of Real Talk Counseling to deliver Mental Health 101 sessions as part of our curriculum.

Tameka is a licensed therapist who has been working in mental health and substance abuse counseling for 26 years. Additionally, she has teaching experience through her position as a community college instructor.

Helping entrepreneurs maintain their mental health.

Tameka explained, “Everybody has the capacity to have a mental health diagnosis.”

With that understanding, she teaches The Boost Pad cohorts what she calls Mental Health 101. She equips them with knowledge and practical actions they can take to protect their mental health.

That training includes everything from guidance on finding a therapist to what to expect during an appointment to understanding how to pay for mental health services.

For Mental Health Month, Tameka shared four practical mental health tips for entrepreneurs .

1. Take care of yourself

When you’re not regulated, you can’t operate at 100% when it comes to your business. Pay attention to the things that help you regulate:

Watch your sleeping patterns
Get your exercise
Be sure you are eating right
Take time to decompress

2. Watch your surroundings

Do you have people who are encouraging you, or do you have people doubting you? Be intentional about who you allow speaking into your life.

3. Stay grounded in reality

Entrepreneurs are visionaries, but vision can turn into a fantasy of instant success and wealth. Be real. There are going to be challenges. Stay grounded in your skills and abilities and stay the course.

4. Ask for help when you need it

If you feel like you need to talk to somebody, reach out. Don’t wait until you are in a full crisis. If you wait, it can put you in jeopardy of losing everything. And remember, if you start therapy, it doesn’t mean it’s forever. You may just need to talk to someone for a couple of months to recalibrate.

Tameka knows how to talk to entrepreneurs because she is one. In 2019, she decided to open a private practice with a focus on urban working professionals. She helps her clients manage a range of conditions, but high-functioning anxiety and depression are common struggles for professionals.

Her goal is to empower individuals to live meaningful lives. She explains, “Just because you’ve gone to school and have a job and you’re ‘successful’ does not mean that you are living the American dream, that you’re happy, or that you’re not dealing with something.”

Tameka understands her target market and structured her practice around their specific needs. Scheduling an appointment during working hours can be a struggle for professionals. Real Talk therapists are available seven days a week and during non-traditional hours so they are there when their clients are not working. They also utilize other tools to make connecting easier, like telehealth.

Underrepresented populations deserve help to overcome barriers to mental health support. Tameka explained, “There aren’t a lot of minorities that are in the clinical counseling field. And so a lot of people are hesitant to reach out and talk.”

Real Talk Counseling is intentional about creating a safe space for a diverse range of urban professionals.

“From a cultural perspective, minority populations – especially African Americans because I can only speak from my perspective – are not taught to talk about their problems or to talk about what’s going on inside their household. And so a lot of people are holding things in and they’ve internalized it … they’ve been dealing with mental health and they don’t even know they’re traumatized. They think it’s just part of living their experience. So, it is very important for minorities to have representation.”

To learn more about Real Talk Counseling, visit www.therealtalkcounseling.com or call 980-939-0991.

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Cohort 11: A New Journey Begins

By Rachel Rowell • August 27, 2025

Last week, we gathered in a room full of dreamers, builders, and visionaries to launch Cohort 11 of The Boost Pad . It was more than just a kickoff—it was the beginning of a journey that will shape businesses, communities, and lives. From the very first moments, the energy in the room full of leaders was undeniable. We opened the evening by asking each participant to share their one word why. One word to capture the heart behind their decision to step into this cohort. Words like freedom, stability, legacy, and impact filled the space, and in that moment, it became clear: every person in the room was carrying more than a business idea. They were carrying a vision for a better future—for themselves, their families, and their communities. That’s what The Boost Pad is all about. Our mission is to equip emerging and under-resourced entrepreneurs with the strategic guidance and support needed to develop innovative solutions, build sustainable enterprises, and advance economic mobility through the Charlotte region and beyond. Our vision is bigger than business—it’s about creating lasting impact, raising up leaders, and fueling change that ripples far outside the walls where we meet. Learning to Show Up Joan guided the cohort into a powerful reflection: What does success look like for you in one year? Not in abstract terms, but in the real numbers, rhythms, and outcomes that build a sustainable future. It was an honest reminder that success isn’t just about profit margins—it’s about creating lives that align with purpose. Finding Your Voice Rachel then challenged participants to distill their dreams into a single minute. The elevator pitch—a story of vision, clarity, and courage—proved to be both harder and more rewarding than it sounds. Some pitches stumbled, some soared, but all became stepping stones toward confidence. As one participant bravely stood and shared their pitch with the group, you could feel the room lean in. Their story mattered. Every story mattered. Building Like a Boss Charles brought the teaching for the evening, equipping participants with the words, mindset, and financial literacy to begin thinking—and speaking—like entrepreneurs. He reminded everyone that leadership is not about titles, but about courage, stewardship, and the willingness to take ownership of a vision. Looking Ahead Finally, Steven closed the night by grounding the cohort in practical steps forward. Each participant set a SMART goal for the week—a small, intentional action to move closer to their dream. Because transformation never happens all at once. It comes one decision, one step, one act of courage at a time. And so, Cohort 11 has begun. Over the next several weeks, these entrepreneurs will grow, stretch, and prepare for Pitch Night—the moment when their vision takes center stage. But more than a presentation, Pitch Night is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the belief that when one person rises, entire communities rise with them. At The Boost Pad, we hold tightly to our core values: community, empowerment, innovation, and integrity . Cohort 11 embodies each one. Together, we are not just building businesses. We are building lives, spaces, and legacies that will last. Join the Journey We invite you to follow along as Cohort 11 unfolds. Each week, we’ll share stories, lessons, and milestones from this inspiring group of entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn an idea into a movement—or if you’re searching for the courage to take your own first step—you’ll find it here. Because at The Boost Pad, we believe entrepreneurship is not just about making a living. It’s about making a difference. If you'd like to get involved with the Boost Pad as a volunteer, board member, Cohort participant or donor, please visit us here.