Physical and Mental Wellness as an Entrepreneur

Mentee Spotlight - Richard Campbell

Richard Campbell is a dedicated father of three, with a lifelong passion for startups and scale-ups. His venture, 10Adventures, is a trailblazing travel platform enabling travelers to embark on custom, private, or personalized active and adventure holidays across over 85 countries. What began as a portfolio piece to get back into technology transformed into a thriving business, catalyzing Richard's personal journey of entrepreneurship.

Introducing Richard

The Impact of Outdoors

To understand why 10Adventures has been successful, we dove into the personal impact that adventuring had in Richard’s journey. 

"I always thought I was kind of unique in that the outdoors had this really transformational impact on me, but in talking to our customers and guests on my podcast, there are millions of us who have the same feeling."

What began as a personal endeavor soon blossomed into a realization: the outdoors held immense potential for people's well-being. Recognizing the untapped potential of adventure travel, Richard delved into a mission to make the outdoors accessible to everyone.

“Most people have a barrier to enter into adventure travel in that they don’t know how to. We remove that barrier and make it easy for them.”

Navigating Challenges as a Solo Founder

As Richard's entrepreneurial journey evolved, he encountered increasingly complex challenges in his business that demanded more than simple solutions. 

“I started facing challenges that could not be fixed over a 10 minute coffee chat with an expert in my network. The challenges I started facing were more strategic and did not have a simple solution.”

In search of guidance he sought out VMSA, envisioning the program would provide assistance primarily on the business front. However, what ensued was a profound journey of personal growth and wellness.

Value of VMSA

Joining VMSA proved to be a “game-changer” for Richard, offering him a diverse range of perspectives and unwavering support. The three Mentors provided invaluable insights, prompting Richard to prioritize personal well-being amidst the hustle of entrepreneurship and scaling his business.

"I don’t have a cofounder and my investors are not active. So there are no interpersonal relationships to navigate through. They have a big focus on me and helping me get to the spaces I need to be."

From the start of his sessions, his Mentors immediately prioritized his mental and physical health in their conversations. In having three kids, being the former COO of a scale-up company, then transitioning into the founder of his own, Richard stopped caring for himself. The Mentors saw this and made it a priority to get Richard back into a routine that builds care and resilience into his mental and physical wellness. 

Incorporating Wellness into Leadership

Richard's journey underscores the importance of preventative wellness measures. Amidst the demands of entrepreneurship, Richard now emphasizes the necessity for self-care and family focus.

"It’s hard with the mindset. I spent my summers working on the family farm. That environment is so focused on getting things done, but it was the shift of realizing that taking care of myself and my family is a part of getting things done."

Richard has always encouraged his team to take time off to recharge, take their lunch hours away from their screens, and get outside for a walk during the day. However, he was not practicing what he preached. That has changed since working with his Mentor team. This last year has been the busiest yet for 10Adventures and Richard attributes the success in getting through it to a preventative wellness approach.

“The change is, I’m not leaving my office shattered.”

Richard has established daily habits that reinforce him, he works out everyday, regularly going for walks with his wife over lunch, and prioritizing the time for connection and care over an hour of work. Richard's commitment to wellness extends beyond rhetoric; it's deeply ingrained in his daily routine, influencing both personal and professional spheres. 

His Mentors have helped him prioritize himself which in turn is reflected in the business. He needs to be in top condition to be able to show up and lead his team. As a founder, Richard likens his role to that of a conductor:

“Being a founder is a bit like being a conductor in an orchestra, I don’t play all the instruments, but I am deciding what song to play, what time to keep, and ensuring certain instruments come on at the right time. Everyone can play a song without me but it’s probably not going to go well.”

The significance of self-care and holistic wellness resonates deeply in his leadership philosophy.

"To be effective as a founder you need to be healthy and take care of yourself."

The Mentors

Amidst the ebbs and flows of entrepreneurship, Richard finds solace in VMSA's supportive network. Mentors serve as guiding lights, offering coaching and encouragement through the peaks and valleys of the entrepreneurial journey.

"It's incredible to have three mentors who are looking out for you, to have the support network when you're facing challenges."

Richard's journey exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between personal wellness and entrepreneurial success. In embracing wellness, Richard not only nurtures his own growth but also fosters a culture of resilience and vitality within his entrepreneurial endeavours.

Richard hopes entrepreneurs discover that prioritizing wellness isn't just a luxury; it's an indispensable asset on the path to success.

Want to learn more about the entrepreneurial support VMSA offers?