We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sophie Henner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sophie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
In the fall of 2016, I battled depression and anxiety that challenged my hope and strength more than I could have imagined. I felt foreign and debilitating emotions that left me scared, hopeless, and alone. I remember watching my anxiety turn into questioning myself, hating my situation, and fear of the intrusive thoughts clouding my mind. It was early October of 2016 when I felt my lowest. I needed help but feared that my need for support would burden my friends and family. I felt so alone. I felt like no one would understand.
Since then, I still think about it, and let me tell you, it is still hard to process. Whether it’s reliving the days that seemed never-ending or thinking about those fighting similar battles as I once was. It’s scary to walk up to anyone, even your closest friends, and tell them you can’t eat, sleep, think straight, and have thoughts that won’t slow down. I thought people would call me crazy. I thought they would walk away. I didn’t know what to expect because nobody ever talked about it. It took every bit of strength in me to open up to my family and close friends about my spiraling thoughts and feelings.
Fortunately, my confessions were greeted with unconditional love, care, and support. About four months into my journey, I acknowledged that if I wanted things to change, I was going to have to be the one to change them. Instead of looking for a superhero to save me, I realized I was the superhero. I just needed to find the tools to unleash my superpowers. That is when the power of writing became one of the most excellent tools to fight my frustrations. I had so many thoughts and emotions going through my mind at once that I had to get them out.
The realization of the power of journaling marked the turning point in my journey. At first, I didn’t see the effectiveness of the practice because I didn’t receive instant gratification. However, as time passed, the endorphins started flowing, the emotions began processing, and the days started brightening. I think I went through three journals in three months. That’s a lot of hand cramping and ink smudging.
To this day, I journal in some way, shape, or form every day. It is a must in my routine. Journaling was the tool I needed to do that final climb to the top, and man, did it feel good to reach the summit.
Looking back, I wish I had known the things I know now. However, rather than simply sitting with those wishes, I decided to take action and share what I know with those who need it. In addition, I promised myself I would do everything possible to help others fighting mental illness and disorders.
With years of research, lived experience, and a growing passion for mental health advocacy, I launched Simply So + Co. Five months into it – I am honored and humbled to share that my dreams of educating, advocating, and supporting are coming to fruition. From journals, planners, and notepads to blogs, podcasts, and coaching sessions, I create simple, practical, consistent, affordable personal development tools that guide users towards a more purposeful, fulfilled, grounded lifestyle.
It feels weird to say this, but I am grateful for the time I considered “the worst six months of my life.” I can thank my journey for turning me into the person I am today, which my younger self would be so proud of. I feel strength and purpose. I feel gratitude because I can educate and advocate.
Mentally ill people are scared to ask for help because of how stigmatized the concept is. We are so obsessed with what others think. But where does that get us? I believe that if these people knew that it was safe to ask for help, they would. Once I asked for help, I realized my story was far from over. I found some of the greatest hope in my journey, knowing that I could help others who experienced similar feelings as I did. I discovered a passion for creating resources for those struggling with mental illness. I found my purpose in knowing I had the power to show people how to access the tools needed to gain their superpowers and be superheroes.
Sophie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always had a desire to create and innovate. I drew out inventions as a child and told my parents how I would create them someday. Additionally, I’ve always had a passion for mental health and psychology. Through research and lived experience, I recognized an opportunity. The demand for better mental health care in schools and offices is rising so rapidly, and no one can keep up. Barriers such as cost, stigma, accessibility, and consistency exist and need to be broken. So, I created resources to close the gap between demand and available resources. With a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, I am finding a fulfilling career path by integrating the resources I’ve created, mental health and personal development coaching, and public speaking to raise advocate and educate.
The first resource created is called The Grounding Moments Planner and Journal. This undated quarterly notebook includes best practices of journaling and planning, delivering an all-in-one experience. Users can practice habit tracking, gratitude, goal and intention setting, grounding techniques, and self-reflection with monthly, weekly, and daily pages. Additionally, users can plan out their months, days, and weeks at their own pace with plenty of space and a prioritizing and scheduled technique to increase productivity and personal development. In the winter of this year, customers can expect additional Planner options, such as a digital option. A podcast that shares success stories of individuals who faced adversity is also coming soon. Forget the frustrations such as costly, inconsistent therapy sessions. Leave the lack of support and education behind. Do not worry about the wait to be seen and heard. Live a life of meaning and purpose with every habit you adopt and task you complete. Through the resources above, as well as speaking at schools and events, I spread awareness and support through story-telling, advocating, and providing mental health care that is affordable, available, and effective.
With the concept of mental health becoming more accepted and discussed, more resources such as telehealth, apps, and journals exist to aid those in need. While there is competition, I always find great excitement knowing that access to support is becoming more readily available. Simply So + Co. has unique value because of the genuine customer relationships, lived experience behind the resources, and the practice of pen to paper. The majority of competitors focus on technology models. With so much research behind the benefits of pen-to-paper and the opportunity to have an advantage when it comes to my competitors, my resources focus on pen-to-paper while also accommodating those who prefer a digital option. There are also a few notebooks that incorporate both journaling and planning benefits in one place. From the structure of each page to the actual design of the products, the value received by users is endless.
My most proud moments are those when I stand in front of a crowd and share my story. Mental health is not typically easy to talk about. It can bring up uncomfortable and unfamiliar emotions and takes vulnerability and bravery. However, I must share my story to create change, educate others, and create trust. I am doing my job if I can help others make sense of their journey.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I first launched my business, I pitched to a group of business professionals. It was my first pitch. I was nervous and intimidated by the sets of eyes staring at me. About halfway into my pitch, the judges stopped me. They told me to take a deep breath and start over. I felt ashamed that they could tell how nervous I was, but I continued to try again. After finishing, a bit more composed this time, I received feedback. The feedback was encouraging and supportive of my mission but also included some constructive criticism that was hard to hear. Feeling so eager to share my business idea and finding that there was plenty of improvement needed felt personal. I took the advice with poise and acceptance and was told to return in a few months to try my pitch again. At first, I felt defeated and discouraged. The thought of ever pitching again terrified me. As I took more time to reflect on the experience, I realized that this was something to be proud of and excited about. Not only did I face my fear of speaking and pitching my idea to a group of professionals, but I learned valuable lessons that led me to where I am now.
As entrepreneurs, sometimes we hesitate to ask for feedback because it is not always what we want to hear. However, these are typically things we need to hear and can be the foundation of success. A couple of months later, I went back to pitch to the same professionals and others. I placed in the expo, gained capital, and formed relationships with mentors. Returning to this environment, knowing what the judges expected of me, took resilience and strength. I could have walked away from the initial pitch, given up, never pitched again, or ignored their advice. Instead, I kept an open mind, found motivation in their critique, and pitched, marking a critical step in my growth.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
At the beginning of my masters program, we took the Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile assessment to see the skills and capabilities needed as a successful entrepreneur. One of the assessment results stood out to my classmates and me more than the others – the preference for limited structure. Successful entrepreneurs prefer completing tasks with little formal structure. While this characteristic did not necessarily surprise me, it did make me rethink everything I had learned in the past 20 years of school. As students, we learn to follow strict guidelines and rubrics to do well. All those years of projects and papers gave me the skills to read, comprehend and follow a rubric to a tee. However, as an aspiring entrepreneur, I felt intimidated that it was no longer the case. How was I supposed to do well if there was no structure to follow? I had to unlearn the concept of structured work. Unlearning this structure took time and required me to let go of my concerns and control. It pushed me to take risks and go with my gut. I had to learn to let go of validation and approval from others. Unlearning structure and learning to love limited form was one of the essential parts of the beginning days of my business plan. It’s hard to let go of something you knew for so many years in a short time, but watching how everything works out is empowering and invigorating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simplysoandco.com
- Instagram: @simplysoandco
- Facebook: Simply So + Co.
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-henner
- Other: TikTok: @simplywithsoph
Image Credits
@insphotography, Ivy Nicole