We asked Arkansas business executives to share their stories of taking care of their mental well-being. Take a peek inside their heads and see what takeaways you’ll find to help in your own journey.
What are your outlets to take care of your mental health?
Jeff Amerine, founder, Startup Junkie: “I’ve found over the years that having close and trusting relationships with family is key to good mental health. My wife and kids are the best sources of advice and support. Beyond that, I try to stay fit, eat right and get plenty of sleep. Exercise outside in the fresh air seems to be good medicine.”
Dr. Victoria Ramirez, executive director, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts: “I find it helpful to spend time doing the things I enjoy most: time with friends, exercise and sleep.”
Sherece West-Scantlebury, CEO, The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation: “I love being quiet and still — meditation and spending time in silence are essential for me. They allow me to reset and connect with myself on a deeper level. Music is another go-to outlet. I’m a huge fan of old-school R&B, hip-hop and soul music. Whether dancing or singing along, it brings me so much joy and helps me feel renewed. It’s incredible how something as simple as music can positively shift your mood and energy. I also work out three days a week, a great stress buster.”
Carter Malloy, founder, AcreTrader: “Work and family are both highly enjoyable pursuits for me, and I am able to find intense happiness from each. Outside of those favored outlets, I spend any free time cooking, creating music, reading or exploring different cultures and places with my family. By being intentional and prioritizing things that bring me joy, I’m able to find balance and fulfillment.”
Brandon Ruhl, managing partner, Taggart Architects: “My primary outlet is spending time outdoors with family and friends. Fortunately, our beautiful state provides an abundance of options for me to clear my head in beautiful landscapes. My favorite outlets are playing golf, boating around Greers Ferry Lake and duck hunting in flooded green timber.”
Joshua Brown, co-founder, Haag Brown Commercial: “I found my mental health follows a similar path as my spiritual and physical health. If I’m getting up in the morning and having regular quiet times, reading my Bible and exercising regularly and eating well, my mental health is good. When those things get out of rhythm and I start giving more priority to work or other things, my mental health suffers.”
As an entrepreneur/ business owner, have you felt lonely/isolated in your work? What do you do about it?
JA: “In the 1990s being a founder/entrepreneur was definitely a lonely proposition. There were no peer-to-peer mentoring groups or organized mentoring programs. Since that time being a founder or business owner has become a more accepted and celebrated way to make a living and groups have formed. I’ve found the CEO forum I’ve been part of for 15 years has been really useful for processing issues with peers.”
JB: “Of course. Some days it feels like the responsibilities are never ending. And some days it feels like the weight is more than you can carry. A simple practice I’ve used when feeling anxious or lonely or isolated is to make a list of the blessings in my life. I have heard it said that you cannot be both anxious and thankful at the same time. I have found that to be true in my life.”
BR: “Since I typically work in a team environment, isolation is not very common for me. I also thankfully have great business partners to share any burdens with. However, there are occasionally some very unique challenges that I tend to try to bear the weight of on my own. If I ever get lost in those situations, I always rely on my faith to help me find the answers.”
Do you have a trusted inner circle, and how do you develop that?
JA: “The inner circle for me are family members including in the business. My son and I have worked together for more than 10 years and have become great business partners. We also have a third business partner who is truly a fine human being that we’ve worked with since 2015. Having good business partners solves lots of issues.”
SWS: “I’m fortunate to have a trusted inner circle, many of whom have been friends for 30-plus years. These brilliant individuals share my equity and justice values, and we’re all equally invested in each other’s success. They bring diverse perspectives and strengths, and most importantly, they tell me the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. Their advice is invaluable, and they know when to listen.
“We’ve built a more profound, more-than-surface relationship that includes traveling together, being a part of each other’s families and being there for one another. They keep confidence, never judge and offer unwavering support. I develop these relationships by showing the same love, care and support they offer me.”
BR: “I couldn’t do life without my circle. Having good friends that you can share your life with, the good and the bad, is one of the healthiest things I can think of. Those relationships can be developed organically or intentionally but, in both cases, require an investment of time and commitment by both parties. You have to genuinely care about the people and what they have going on in their lives, and be there for them in times of need and in times of celebration.”
What apps or technology do you use to help improve your mental well-being? Are there any virtual groups you’re part of?
JA: “I do track my fitness activities with Strava and Apple Health. Maintaining a decent level of physical activity makes a difference, and tracking completed workouts feels like money in the bank.”
JB: “I am part of a group of dads going through a course called primal path with my 12-year-old son. In the past, I have been involved in small discipleship groups with other men at church. I connect more in nature than in virtual groups online. It seems simple or cliché, but the less time I spend on social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, the better my mental health is. And, the more time I’m spending in nature doing hikes, fishing or just being outside, the better my mental health is.”
CM: “I find a lot of solace in my Kindle. Even if it is just reading some science fiction for a little escape, it is a great way to unwind. I am also able to find well-being by avoiding specific apps and technology, specifically social media and television.”
How have you related to your company leadership and staff on the topic of mental health?
CM: “One of our core values is to ‘take your work seriously, but not yourself.’ While some days are unavoidably hard, we are intentional about fostering a work environment that is fun and where we laugh a lot. On top of that, we provide all employees with unlimited vacation days throughout the year in order to take the time we need to rest, reset and show up recharged.”
This article originally appeared in the 2024 edition of Executive Mental Health, a supplement publication of Arkansas Business.
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