The more we speak about a few professionals, CEOs, founders and entrepreneurs taking on challenges head-on, working relentlessly on their dreams and making every day count to make things happen for them, the more we feel the need to discuss their journeys. These high-performing entrepreneurs become renowned success stories because they never back down in times of challenges. They fight it back with purpose and create a “safe” place for others in the journey. This is precisely what Sharmin Ali has done in her journey as a one-of-a-kind serial entrepreneur, angel investor and founder of Instoried by creating the Sharmin Ali Foundation for Entrepreneurs (SAFE).
Sharmin Ali rises above others as a dynamic founder launching SAFE to offer mental health support for business leaders navigating immense pressures. Her remarkable journey includes raising millions, creating thousands of jobs, and being featured on the NASDAQ billboard in Times Square. Her personal struggle with chronic stress, which led to a near-fatal cardiac arrest, opened her eyes to the importance of mental, which later inspired her to establish SAFE to help entrepreneurs deal with mental health issues. Speaking on the same, she said, “SAFE is determined to provide mental health resources designed specifically for entrepreneurs.
Sharmin Ali hopes to normalise mental health conversations in business by partnering with industry leaders, organisations and policymakers. She says that entrepreneurs are not immune to mental health challenges. They silently go through mental struggles while starting or growing their startups or businesses. Hence, giving them a space where they can feel “safe” and heard without the fear of judgment is essential.
Sharmin Ali’s experiences highlight the importance of mental well-being in entrepreneurship. She highlights that entrepreneurs must support each other and share their stories to create a sustainable future for entrepreneurs. SAFE is all about this and more; she says she looks forward daily to providing mental health support for business leaders facing relentless pressures.
“It’s all about normalising mental health in business,” Sharmin Ali says in a parting shot.
