Taking Care of the Founder: A Health Benefits Package Built for Entrepreneurs
tl;dr
Founder burnout kills growth - The Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce just launched a flexible health benefits package giving self-employed women affordable therapy, prescriptions, and wellness care during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Predictable costs and choice of care help entrepreneurs tackle stress early, sharpen focus, and avoid costly downtime, proving that healthy founders build healthier businesses.
Prioritize wellness - explore the new plan, and spread the word to make sustainable entrepreneurship the norm.
Running a business can be exhilarating but -if we’re being honest- it can also be exhausting. The pressure of making key decisions, managing financial uncertainty, and constantly pushing forward can take a serious toll. As women entrepreneurs, we’re often balancing multiple roles, leaving little room to prioritize our own well-being. That’s why the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC) has introduced a new health benefits package specifically designed for self-employed entrepreneurs and small business owners. And the timing couldn’t be better.
This launch comes in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, a critical reminder that a business can only thrive if its founder is well. Too often, entrepreneurs put their own health on the back burner, treating stress, anxiety, or physical symptoms as the cost of doing business. But the reality is, ignoring these issues doesn’t just affect you personally, it impacts your company’s success, too. Investing in a structured health benefits plan isn’t just a safeguard; it’s a strategic business decision.
The Cost of Neglecting Founder Well-Being
For many entrepreneurs, the idea of taking a break or seeking professional support feels like a luxury they can’t afford. But burnout isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a business risk. Studies show that chronic stress leads to impaired decision-making, poor memory, decreased creativity, and even physical health issues that can force founders to step away from their ventures.
Without proper support, many entrepreneurs end up in a cycle of overwork and exhaustion, which can eventually lead to serious mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders or depression.
The new health benefits package launched in partnership with CanWCC aims to change that by making professional care more accessible and financially manageable. When therapy sessions, prescriptions, or even massage treatments are covered, entrepreneurs are more likely to seek the help they need before their health reaches a breaking point.
Healthier Founders, Healthier Businesses
A health benefits plan provides reassurance that taking care of your health doesn’t have to come at the expense of your business. Too often, self-employed individuals push through stress, illness, and exhaustion because they don’t have the safety net that traditional employees do. But the truth is, sustainable success requires prioritizing well-being.
We reached out to CanWCC member Shulamit Ber Levtov from The Entrepreneur’s Therapist, who advocates for a mental health strategy that supports founder success.
"As the lone therapist in entrepreneurial spaces, many founders have told me about their mental health struggles. The impact of entrepreneurship on mental health is well-documented.
For example, A Canadian study of women business owners conducted by FLIK (Female Laboratory of Innovative Knowledge) reported that 49% struggled with mental health issues. That's more than double the rate in the general population. Your business success shouldn't come at the cost of your mental health.”
When business owners can access health care without worrying about unpredictable costs, they’re more likely to take proactive steps to maintain their health. This means fewer days lost to illness, better focus, and improved decision-making – critical factors for any entrepreneur striving for long-term success.
Predictable Costs & Plan Flexibility Are Key
One of the biggest challenges for self-employed individuals is the unpredictability of expenses. Unlike corporate employees with employer-sponsored plans, entrepreneurs often have to deal with unexpected medical bills, making financial planning even more stressful. Having a dedicated health benefits package removes some of that uncertainty.
Another of the greatest advantages of having a health benefits plan is the ability to choose the type of care that best suits your needs. Many entrepreneurs rely on a mix of traditional medical care, mental health support, and holistic wellness practices to maintain their well-being.
With this package, self-employed business owners can access covered services that align with their personal health priorities – whether that’s therapy, chiropractic care, or prescription medication. Having that flexibility ensures that business owners can maintain their health in a way that works best for them.
Make A Shift Toward Sustainable Entrepreneurship
The introduction of CanWCC’s health benefits package represents a shift in how we approach entrepreneurship. It acknowledges that success isn’t just about revenue and growth – it’s about long-term sustainability and enjoying the fruits of our labours.
By making healthcare more accessible and affordable, this initiative removes one more barrier that women entrepreneurs face. It signals that taking care of yourself isn’t an afterthought – it’s part of running a thriving business.
And that’s a message worth spreading, not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, but year-round.
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