Founded a business. Made excellent marketing choices and grew. Made smart associations. Kept everything running smoothly.
Accumulated a lot of stress throughout the years.
3 years in, some things wobbled. Co founder owed me some money, never paid. He then asked for a loan from a friend of mine. Took 2 years more to repay it. I had to constantly face my friend. My long term relationship started waning. I got a lot of bad rep from close friends. Began getting closer to cofounder, as we pushed forward, yet isolated from my friends.
Eventually lost my relationship, and felt suffocated by debts. Took a massive dose of psychodelics throughout a few months. Began losing my head.
Talking angrily to personnel. Getting into conflict with clients. Berrating staff. Eventually it bursted into a psychosis which led me to exposing my co founders malpractices.
Drug use was found, and I am apparently labeled as just some lunatic, even while exposing the truth.
Currently working on fixing my relationships, as well as the business, but it all feels bleak, like the magic has been lost.
How can I motivate personnel after they now know our internal struggles? How can I sell our product when internally theres mistrust? Most of our staff and personnel have left.
My cofounder is damaged, but understands where I came from, and the damage he caused me. We are talking about following through, leaving this behind, recruiting new personnel and growing the business.
Trust is shaky currently.
I wish I could just turn back time and handle things more patiently instead of bursting.
I'm looking for recommendations or guidance, and maybe a comforting message.
I crashed my business because of substance abuse
byu/G9Comet inbusiness
Posted by G9Comet
5 Comments
What kinds of psychedelic?
You did it before and you can do it again. Now you know what not to do. There’s no right or wrong. Just data.
You’ve been through a lot, but rebuilding is possible. Focus on honesty, accountability, and small wins to rebuild trust with your team. Stay consistent, communicate clearly, and your passion will bring the right people back. The magic isn’t gone, it’s just waiting for steadier hands.
I was in the corporate world and was deeply miserable with that environment. I spiralled with substances and got out of the industry. Do some soul searching and re- evaluate your values. Ask yourself tough questions. I am much happier now out of that environment but I THOUGHT it was the best thing since sliced bread because of how prestigious the position was. My whole identity was wrapped it in. Wishing you the best on your journey !
Sales cures everything.