May is National Small Business Month and also Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a unique intersection that brings to light a group often caught between inspiration and isolation—entrepreneurs. These two observances, though celebrated in vastly different ways, share a deeply interwoven narrative when viewed through the lens of those who build, lead, and grow businesses from scratch.

Entrepreneurs are often celebrated for their boldness—their willingness to take chances, create something out of nothing, and push forward against all odds. They are praised for resilience, admired for innovation, and held up as models of determination. But what is often left unsaid is the price they pay emotionally. The sleepless nights, the relentless pressure, the quiet moments of doubt. The long days filled with tough decisions and the even longer nights haunted by uncertainty.

There’s an image I can’t shake, one that captures this dichotomy so perfectly. It’s of an individual standing alone beneath a vast sky filled with stars. A breathtaking scene, but also one that evokes complex emotions. The stars represent possibilities, the magnitude of dreams and ambition. The universe seems so close, almost within reach. And yet, there’s distance. The figure is solitary. The beauty of the stars can feel like a beacon of hope or a taunting reminder of how far one still has to go.

Is the entrepreneur in that image rising, with the light casting a path forward? Or is the light being swallowed by the creeping shadows of stress, fear, or loneliness? Are they standing on top of the world, or are they at the bottom looking up, wondering if they’ll ever feel free of the weight they carry?

For entrepreneurs, it can feel like both at once. One minute you’re celebrating a breakthrough, and the next, you’re doubting everything. There is often no middle ground, only the extremes of hope and despair, clarity and confusion. The very same qualities that drive entrepreneurs—obsession, passion, sacrifice—can also isolate them. They become consumed by the mission, sometimes to the detriment of their own health. They bury their feelings, believing vulnerability is a weakness that might compromise leadership. And so, they keep going. Alone.

That loneliness does not discriminate between success and failure. It shows up in the early stages of bootstrapping a business. It shows up in the heights of public success when everyone assumes you’ve made it and the pressure to stay on top becomes overwhelming. It shows up in the silence after the applause dies down, and you’re still left with the never-ending weight of responsibility.

Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade are two examples, iconic figures in their respective fields, both brilliant creators and entrepreneurs. To the world, they were the embodiment of success. Behind the scenes, however, they struggled deeply. Tragically, both took their own lives. And they are not alone. Their deaths, while shocking, are not anomalies. They’re reminders of a crisis hiding in plain sight.

Entrepreneurship is often romanticized, but it is not always the glamorous journey depicted in magazines or social media feeds. It can be lonely. It can be terrifying. It can leave people feeling unseen, even when everyone is looking at them.

This is why May matters so much, not just to raise awareness, but to change the way we support those who risk everything to build something meaningful. If we’re going to celebrate entrepreneurs during National Small Business Month, let’s not only recognize their economic contributions but also their emotional sacrifices. Let’s stop equating success with immunity from struggle.

Mental health isn’t just a personal issue. For entrepreneurs, it’s a business issue, a leadership issue, a community issue. When the mind is fatigued, creativity wanes. When anxiety spikes, decision-making falters. When depression takes hold, so does withdrawal from team, family, and customers. A mentally unwell entrepreneur risks not only their own well-being but also the stability of everything they’ve built.

We must begin to foster spaces, both professionally and personally where entrepreneurs can be honest, where they can be supported, and where they don’t feel ashamed to say, “I’m struggling.” We must build a culture where resilience includes rest, and where leadership includes asking for help.

So as we lift up the stories of small business owners this May, let us look a little deeper. Let us see the human behind the hustle. Let us reach out to the friend, the colleague, the loved one who’s building their dream in silence. Offer them a moment of connection. Listen. Encourage. Sit with them in their quiet.

Hug an entrepreneur this month, not for what they’ve accomplished, but for what they carry every day and for what they may never say aloud. That one gesture could mean more than you will ever know.

Make today a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

About the Author

With over 40 years of experience as a senior executive, consultant, coach, and entrepreneur, Paul Segreto is a recognized leader in small business, franchise, and restaurant management and development. His mission is to drive success through a culture-to-growth philosophy while connecting the right people, brands, and opportunities.

Since 2001, Paul has advised startups and emerging brands in defining their competitive edge and scaling effectively. He also provides coaching to individuals, families, and partners pursuing entrepreneurial goals.

Recognized as a Top 100 Global Franchise and Small Business Influencer, Paul shares daily insights at Acceler8Success Cafe and regularly contributes to a variety of industry blogs and publications.

Reach out directly to Paul at paul@acceler8success.com—your path to success may be one conversation away.

Partnering With Acceler8Succes Group

At Acceler8Success Group, we are committed to helping entrepreneurs, founders, restaurateurs, franchise operators, and business owners defy the odds. Our work begins where passion meets reality—bridging vision with execution, and ambition with strategic discipline.

Through coaching, advisory, digital media, marketing solutions, franchise development, and business optimization strategies, we deliver tailored support designed to not just launch businesses but to scale them sustainably. We help uncover blind spots, optimize strengths, and build the operational and strategic foundation necessary for long-term success.

If you are building something bold—or struggling to hold together what you’ve built—we invite you to connect. Let’s ensure your business becomes the exception to grim statistics, not the example of them.

Acceler8Success Group: Where Entrepreneurs and Brand Find Clarity, Strategy, and Sustained Momentum. Inquire today at Acceler8Success.com.