Beyond the hustle: Professor Gabriella Medero on managing mental health and entrepreneurship
For many entrepreneurs, the journey is one of excitement, growth and discovery. However, it also comes with its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to mental health. Gabriela Medero, a seasoned entrepreneur and academic, shares her insights on how to manage the stress of entrepreneurship, whether you’re at the start of your journey or further along the path.
Embrace failure as a learning opportunity
One of the most critical pieces of advice Gabi offers to new entrepreneurs is to embrace failure as part of the process. "It's very important to learn how to fail," she emphasises. For her, failure isn’t necessarily a negative outcome, rather, part of creating your own path. She explains that while you often don’t reach your expected results or follow the path you initially envisioned, every setback brings you closer to your goal, even if through a different route. “Every time you fail, you’re learning, building resilience, and getting closer to your journey’s destination,” she says. This attitude allows you to move forward without letting disappointment get in the way.
Find excitement in learning new skills
Entrepreneurs wear many hats, especially in the early stages of building a business. From accounting to marketing, the wide variety of tasks can feel overwhelming. Gabi, however, views this multitasking as an opportunity rather than a burden. "I always found it exciting, not overwhelming," she shares. As an academic by nature, she relishes the opportunity to learn new skills and step into unfamiliar zones. This perspective helped her manage the demands of entrepreneurship without feeling swamped by them. For her, staying curious and open to learning is key to managing multiple responsibilities.
Prioritise and let go of perfection
When it comes to juggling multiple tasks, Gabi acknowledges that sometimes plates will drop—and that’s okay. “Knowing how to prioritise is key,” she advises. By taking a step back to look at the bigger picture, she focuses on what needs attention most at any given time, even if it means allowing other areas to slip temporarily. The flexibility to reprioritise and adjust expectations is essential to staying on top of things without burning out. She reminds entrepreneurs that it’s impossible to be everywhere at once, so learning to prioritise and letting go of perfection is vital.
Give the correct weight to problems
Gabi stresses the importance of giving the correct size to problems: “When you're in the middle of something overwhelming, it often seems bigger than it really is.” She illustrates this with a method she used with her children, asking them to rate problems on a scale of 0 to 10, often finding that a 10 problem in the moment becomes a 5 problem upon reflection. By putting things into perspective, even seemingly significant issues often shrink in size, helping entrepreneurs manage their stress better. Additionally, she advises stepping away to “breathe,” both literally and figuratively, as a way to reset and return to challenges with a fresh mindset.
Seek support and build a network
No entrepreneur can succeed in isolation, and Gabi emphasises the importance of community and support networks. “Belonging to a community and having a network of key people you can turn to is essential,” she says. This support doesn’t always have to come in the form of formal mentorship. Sometimes, simply having someone ask, “Can I help you?” can make a significant difference. She believes that entrepreneurs need more opportunities to connect with others, and she has actively worked on initiatives such as creating peer support systems for PhD students here at Heriot-Watt University. Loneliness, she notes, can make the entrepreneurial journey even harder, and having someone to share the challenges with can be incredibly reassuring.
Accept that not every day will be sunny
Finally, Gabi offers an important reminder: "It’s not a sunny day every day, and that’s OK." Social media often portrays an unrealistic image of entrepreneurship as a smooth, perfect journey, but the reality is much different. Every entrepreneur faces challenges, whether personal or professional, and it’s important to acknowledge that not every day will be perfect. Finding joy even in the difficult moments and embracing the overall journey is what keeps the entrepreneurial spirit alive.
For entrepreneurs at any stage, Gabi’s advice is clear: embrace failure, keep learning, prioritise wisely, and build a strong support network. With these tips in mind the entrepreneurial path becomes not just manageable but exciting and rewarding.
About Gabi
Professor Gabriela Medero is an innovative entrepreneur and professor specialising in sustainable construction and engineering. Known for her pioneering work on sustainable building materials, Gabi co-founded Kenoteq, an eco-friendly construction materials company, and is the inventor of the K-Briq—an award-winning, low-carbon brick made from 90% recycled construction waste. With a passion for environmental impact and circular economy principles, Gabi’s work bridges academia and industry, offering scalable, sustainable solutions to modern construction challenges. She actively mentors emerging entrepreneurs, sharing insights on resilience, mental health, and growth in entrepreneurship.
Find out more
We have an incredible support network available at Heriot-Watt through our GRID ecosystem. Find more information about what is available and how to get involved here: https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/business/entrepreneurship.htm