The En Factor Podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs who have started, stumbled and succeeded.
This week’s inspiring episode on the En Factor features Johnny Crowder, who is the founder and CEO of Cope Notes. Johnny joins Dr. Rebecca White at The University of Tampa in front of a live audience of students for the recording of this special episode. Johnny’s venture, Cope Notes, is an online mental health platform that sends one text message at a random time every day that is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as increase emotional intelligence, resilience, and coping skills. These messages come in the form of psychology facts, journaling prompts, and exercises that are created and developed by real people that have experienced overcoming mental health challenges in the past. Johnny and Cope Notes have expanded their outreach tremendously since launching in 2018 as Cope Notes now provides mental and emotional health support for organizations, families, youth, and adults in nearly 100 countries around the world.
Beyond his venture, Johnny is an expert and advocate for mental health in other forms including having more than a decade of clinical treatment experience and more than a decade of peer support and public advocacy experience through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Johnny has also spoken about the subject of mental health at TEDx events, corporate retreats, and conference keynotes and is a touring metal musician on top of all of the advocacy and support that he has provided to millions of people.
In this episode, Dr. White and Johnny discuss his journey of starting Cope Notes and how it evolved into the platform it is today, the value of thinking optimistically while still balancing a sense of realism, and the importance of resilience and adaptability in your entrepreneurial journey. Dr. White and Johnny also turn to the audience to accept questions from the students towards the end of the episode.
Key Words: Entrepreneurial Mindset, Success Mindset
Chapters
00:00 • Introduction: Welcome to the En Factor!
00:55 • Dr. White’s Journey to Entrepreneurship Education
03:45 • Starting the En Factor Podcast
05:20 • Introducing Today’s Guest: Johnny Crowder
07:23 • Johnny Crowder’s Journey
13:57 • The Birth of Cope Notes
18:56 • Mental Health and Neuroscience
32:03 • Challenges and Realities of Entrepreneurship
35:35 • Staying True to the Mission
37:02 • Pivoting Based on Market Needs
39:56 • Challenges and Innovations
41:36 • Bootstrapping and Funding Realizations
43:19 • Entrepreneurial Mindset and Resilience
50:06 • Marketing Strategies and Public Speaking
56:13 • Final Thoughts and Q&A
Episode takeaways
- The importance of creating products that help people feel better.
- Ignorance can be an asset in entrepreneurship.
- Cope Notes uses neuroscience to promote mental health.
- Bootstrap your ideas and learn from feedback.
- Mental health support should be accessible to everyone.
- Feeling your feelings is crucial for healing.
- Positivity should not dismiss negative thoughts.
- Education and resources are more accessible than ever.
- Honesty in leadership fosters trust and resilience.
- Entrepreneurship requires a balance of optimism and realism. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of staying true to your mission.
- Listening to the market can lead to valuable insights and opportunities.
- Failure is a part of the entrepreneurial journey and should be embraced.
- Building a community and networking is crucial for success.
- Discipline and determination are key traits for overcoming challenges.
- Marketing strategies can significantly impact growth and visibility.
- Communication skills are essential for effective leadership and connection.
- Adapting to change is necessary for long-term success.
- Entrepreneurship is not for everyone; it requires a unique mindset.
- The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with ups and downs, but it is rewarding.
The En Factor® Podcast
Conversations with Entrepreneurs
Hosted by Dr. Rebecca White
Our audience of aspiring and established entrepreneurs are inspired to persevere throughout their entrepreneurial journey. You will hear first-hand stories of success, resilience through failure, and how to become a master in your field.