As a part-time secondary school art teacher and founder of Calm Creations Club and Create Calm with Steph – a creative events company designed to highlight the power of creative arts and promote relaxation and social connection – I have hosted many workshops for both the public, plus various events with teams – in business and corporate settings, including online mindfulness sessions. I recently also trained as a Life Coach and NLP Practitioner, in order to support more passionate professionals to overcome the mental obstacles that are stopping them from reaching their big goals.

As startup founders and entrepreneurs, we are all aware of the constant pressures that come with building a business, but there’s a way to navigate these stressors and come out the other side stronger. As someone who calms with creativity, I would like to share with you a holistic stress management approach inspired by the C.R.E.A.T.E. framework.

1. C = Clarity: define what truly matters

Stress often arises when we feel uncertain or don’t feel we have direction. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get bogged down by every detail. To reduce stress, get clear on your mission, vision, and goals. When you know where you’re headed, every step becomes intentional. Take a moment each week to reflect on your reason and your priorities. Identify what is essential this week for my business to move forward? You can jot this down, or do this more creatively on a poster or in a business journal… or on a project management app such as; Trello or monday.com…

2. R = Resilience: build your stress-resilient mindset through mindfulness

Resilience isn’t about avoiding stress – it’s about how you bounce back when things get tough. In the entrepreneurial world, setbacks are inevitable. But your ability to cope, adapt, and move forward with renewed strength is what sets successful entrepreneurs apart. This is why it’s important to develop a daily routine that incorporates mindfulness – a short meditation session or breathing exercise. You can do this creatively whilst you are painting, drawing, crocheting, cross-stitching, knitting… or you can get creative on a quick colour walk – for example; set out to notice everything blue on your walk – do this for 15 mins and it can truly help reset your nervous system and this in turn then builds resilience against stress.

3. E = Empowerment: take control of your energy

Stress is often exacerbated when we feel out of control. Empower yourself by setting boundaries and prioritising tasks that align with your values. Something I love is ‘the circle of control’ and when I’m stressed I bring it right back to the centre and think about what I can do right now for me – take time for self-care and invest in activities that recharge you, such as creative hobbies, nature walks, or connecting with a mentor. Start saying “no” to things that drain your energy. Empower yourself by focusing on what lights you up and moves you and your business forward.

4. A = Alignment: stay true to your values

Stress can feel overwhelming when there’s a disconnect between your actions and your core values. Aligning your business practices with what matters most to you will reduce inner tension. Take a pause and review your values and business practices. Do they align? Is there a discrepancy between what you say matters and how you’re operating? Create a values statement or a values reminder poster or stamps, you can have these in your office or on your desktop to remind you of them daily – because, when you are in alignment, you’re more likely to make decisions with ease and less stress.

5. T = Transformation: embrace change and growth

Entrepreneurship is all about transformation, both personally and professionally. Instead of resisting change, embrace it as a natural part of growth. Stress often arises from our fear of the unknown, but when we shift our mindset to view challenges as opportunities, we can transform stress into momentum. So, Whenever you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that transformation is part of the process. Celebrate small wins and shift and reframe your perspective – ask yourself – ‘what can I learn from this?’ or ‘how can I grow from this?’

6. E = Expression: communicate your needs

Finally, stress builds up when we bottle up our feelings or fail to express our needs. Whether it's with clients, employees, or mentors, networks, family and friends… clear communication is essential. And, engaging in creative tasks with others can naturally facilitate conversations and connection. Expressing yourself will not only reduce stress but help you create better relationships and a more supportive environment. Attend network events. Try and find your people. Then schedule regular check-ins with them. Communicate clearly with your loved ones and openly discuss what’s working and what’s not. Being transparent about stresses and challenges can lift the weight off your shoulders – as the saying goes; "a problem shared is a problem halved".

Stress doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of entrepreneurship. With the right tools, a clear sense of purpose, and a commitment to self-care, you can manage stress effectively and create a business that truly lights you up, whilst supporting your well-being.

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