The Empathy-Driven Entrepreneur: A Founder's Guide to Building a Business That Heals
Alyssa Petersel
What is the true source of a world-changing business idea? Is it a brilliant insight in a brainstorming session? A complex market analysis? Or is it something far more human?
For Alyssa Petersel, the founder and CEO of MyWellbeing, the answer is clear: the most powerful innovations are born from empathy. Her journey from a frustrated therapy-seeker to a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree reveals a profound blueprint for modern entrepreneurship—one that places human connection and healing at the very center of its business model.
This is her guide to building a business that doesn't just solve a problem, but genuinely cares for the people it serves.
Lesson 1: Your Pain Point is Your Greatest Superpower
The idea for MyWellbeing, a platform that provides a personalized "dating app" style of matching for therapy-seekers, was not born in a boardroom. It was born from Alyssa's own frustrating, firsthand experience of trying to find the right therapist.
"Ultimately, it took working in an outpatient clinic as a social worker and hearing stories from 100s of other people just like me... for me to learn that I was not alone, and the problem was way bigger than I realized," she explains.
She didn't stop there. She cross-checked with therapists and learned they also struggled to connect with compatible clients. By experiencing and deeply understanding the pain points of both sides of the marketplace, she was in a unique position to bridge the gap.
The Mentor Takeaway: The most powerful business ideas don't come from seeing a gap in the market; they come from feeling a gap in the world. If you have personally experienced a frustrating, outdated, or broken system, you are uniquely qualified to fix it. Your authentic, lived experience is your most valuable asset.
Lesson 2: True Innovation is an Act of Deep Listening
How does a purpose-driven brand stay relevant and continue to grow? For Alyssa, the answer isn't about chasing trends; it's about staying radically connected to the community she serves.
"The most powerful new ideas I prioritize are either inspired by pain points I have myself experienced... or they are answers to pain points that seekers or therapists I am already working with have expressed to me," she says.
This philosophy reframes feedback not as criticism, but as a gift. It turns your customers and users into your most valuable source of R&D. By keeping avenues of communication open and actively sourcing feedback, you can overcompensate for your own blind spots and build a product that people truly need.
The Mentor Takeaway: Stop trying to invent the "next big thing" in a vacuum. Your community is a constant wellspring of ideas for innovation. Your job as a founder is to create a culture of deep listening and to have the humility to act on what you hear.
Lesson 3: Your Self-Care Routine IS Your Work Routine
The myth of the sleepless, relentlessly hustling founder is one of the most toxic in entrepreneurship. Alyssa offers a powerful and necessary counter-narrative, arguing that a founder's well-being is not a luxury, but a core operational requirement.
"One thing often overlooked by entrepreneurs is having a fixed self-care routine to balance the highly demanding work routine," she stresses. "Entrepreneurship is not possible without surrounding yourself with the support you need."
Her own routine is a non-negotiable part of her schedule: eating a good breakfast, getting adequate sleep, weekly therapy, and regular exercise. She emphasizes the importance of a nurturing support network of other founders, friends, and family.
The Mentor Takeaway: You cannot build a healthy, sustainable company from a place of burnout. Your energy and mental health are your business's most critical assets. Schedule your self-care with the same diligence and commitment as your most important investor meeting. A well-cared-for founder is an effective founder.
Healing the System
Alyssa's journey is a powerful testament to a new way of building. It shows that by leading with empathy, listening with intention, and prioritizing well-being, you can not only innovate an outdated system but also create a business that is a true force for healing in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alyssa Petersel?
Alyssa Petersel, MSW, is the founder and CEO of MyWellbeing. She is a former social worker, a writer, and a tech entrepreneur who was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her innovative work at the intersection of mental health and technology.
What is MyWellbeing?
MyWellbeing is a platform dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized mental health care. It is best known for its unique matching model, which works like a "dating app for therapy" to help Millennials and Gen Z find the right therapist for their unique needs and personality.
What inspired the idea for MyWellbeing?
The company was inspired by Alyssa's own difficult and frustrating personal search for a therapist. After realizing through her work as a social worker that hundreds of others—and even therapists themselves—shared this frustration, she was inspired to build a solution to bridge the gap.
What is Alyssa Petersel's top advice for entrepreneurs?
Her most critical piece of advice is the importance of building a strong support network and maintaining a diligent self-care routine. She believes that entrepreneurship is not possible without this foundation, and that it's crucial for founders to devote time to learning what they need and ensuring they receive it.
Inspired by This Story? Find a Mentor Who Gets You.
A single conversation with the right guide can change everything. Stories like this show the profound impact of having an experienced, empathetic mentor in your corner.
Our network is filled with vetted, seasoned founders, C-suite executives, and industry experts who can provide the direct, unfiltered advice you need for your biggest challenges. Let us help you find the perfect match for your journey.