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Why Mental Health Needs to Be Non-Negotiable for Women in Entrepreneurship

By: Danielle Graham

Co-founder of The Firehood (external link)  & General Partner of Phoenix Fire. Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Brampton Venture Zone. 

After years of working with women founders around the world, one truth stands out: supporting women in entrepreneurship requires just as much focus on mental health as it does on business growth. This is especially true in environments where systemic misogyny and cultural barriers still exist. 

At The Firehood, we’ve made this a core part of our mission—and our ongoing work with Brampton Venture Zone (BVZ) and our Firestarter program reflects that commitment in action.

Building Resilience Beyond the Balance Sheet

In partnership with BVZ and with support from BDC, the Firestarter program now runs as a national initiative designed to support women and non-binary founders. We go beyond capital and mentorship by offering holistic support that acknowledges entrepreneurial stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue — realities that are far too common but rarely addressed in startup ecosystems.

This past winter, we embedded mental wellness as a core part of our curriculum through a powerful collaboration with Megan Swan and her Fierce Swan Wellness Accelerator (external link) . Megan didn’t just host a single workshop—she opened and closed each Firestarter session, ensuring that well-being was woven through every phase of the founder journey.

Her science-backed, high-impact approach helped founders build personalized wellness routines, optimize their energy, and develop the resilience needed to lead in high-pressure environments.

Investing in Mental Health Innovation

We also believe in backing startups that tackle mental health head-on.

That’s why we’re proud to support Roga (external link) , a BVZ alumni startup that’s developed a non-invasive wearable device designed to reduce stress and anxiety in real time. Roga’s technology is a game-changer—helping founders and their teams manage pressure, stay grounded, and sustain productivity without compromising well-being.

For startup founders juggling endless demands, tools like Roga provide a practical, proactive approach to mental wellness.

Wellness as a Way of Life

Beyond structured programs and technology, we see wellness as a mindset and a lifestyle.

From Bali to Borneo, our Firehood angels and founders regularly invest in their mental well-being through global wellness experiences—including yoga retreats, sound healing, detoxes, nature immersion, Indigenous sweat lodges, and mindful travel moments like sunrise meditations during airport layovers. These experiences reflect a growing trend in wellness tourism—and they’re reshaping how our community views success.

We're planning to bring that energy home by introducing wellness retreats designed to support the startup community, all set in restorative, recharging environments. Stay connected with The Firehood (external link)  & Fierce Swan Wellness Accelerator (external link)  for updates.

Redefining Success for Women Entrepreneurs

Supporting women entrepreneurs isn’t just about helping them scale businesses—it’s about redefining what sustainable success looks like. At The Firehood, we believe that:

  • Mental health isn’t optional—it’s foundational.
  • Wellness must be integrated into every stage of the founder journey.
  • Innovative solutions like Roga must be part of every founder’s toolkit.

Together with BVZ, our community is building an ecosystem where women and non-binary founders thrive—not just in business, but in life.

We’re proud to be leading this movement—opening doors, building bridges, and ensuring that mental wellness is a core part of the entrepreneurial experience.