Building a Purpose-Driven Business: A Mental Health Consultant’s Story

When Sinclair Ceasar launched his consulting company, it wasn’t just a business venture — it was a mission born from deeply personal experience. Drawing on his own struggles, Sinclair dedicates himself to helping companies prioritize workplace mental health and psychological safety. His journey is a testament to resilience and the power of storytelling. In his own words, here’s how he turned his challenges into a purpose-driven career.

Name: Sinclair Ceasar
Business: Sinclarity Consulting LLC
Service: Workplace mental health training and consulting
Year Founded: 2022
Website: https://www.sinclairityllc.com/
Based in: San Antonio, Texas

The Power of Storytelling 

I started my business because it’s the resource I needed five or six years ago. Back then, I was working for a wellness startup, speaking about mental health at schools and organizations. I was an influencer with lots of followers. But then I had a major life crisis that brought my world to a halt.

After a very public episode, I was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. I almost lost everything. While I was out of work, I became a stay-at-home dad, spending invaluable time with my daughter. What helped me most during this time was hearing other people’s mental health stories — stories from people who looked like me, talked like me, and had experienced similar struggles.

Those stories helped me unlearn the shame surrounding mental health. I also realized how essential workplace culture is. We spend so much of our lives at work, yet most workplaces lack the tools to support mental well-being. This led me to launch Sinclarity Consulting. From the start, the vision of the organization was to focus on sharing stories and equipping workplaces with mental health literacy. We provide what we call mental health first aid training.

My First Client: Right Place, Right Time

I got my first client by being in the right room at the right time. I’ve always done workshops and spoken at events, but the stakes were higher when I was invited to present to city leaders about mental health. No one in that room had ever heard a talk like mine, and it resonated. Afterward, several people approached me, asking how they could bring my services to their organizations. That moment showed me the demand for workplace mental health education and gave me the validation I needed to move forward.

I turned my doubts into wins

Planning my first conference felt like a massive risk. I was afraid no one would show up. I thought, at best, it would be a small gathering of 30 or 40 people, and I doubted whether I could pull it off. My friends encouraged me, and I decided to make tickets free for a month to gauge interest. By the end of the first week, we had 100 registrations. That moment was a turning point. I saw the need for these conversations and the importance of asking for help. That’s my superpower, being willing to ask for help. I recommend it! As of today, we have over 200 registrants!

Balancing Family and Business

Family is a core value of mine, and I’m intentional about being present for my children. Balancing family and business is about trial and error. I don’t do it perfectly. Sometimes that means putting down the phone and singing an R&B song to my young son. Work will always be there. But if I’m not present with my family, it’s not worth it.

I’m fortunate to have a strong network — a therapist, a nutritionist, a doctor, and my wife. She keeps me honest. She even thought of the name of the company, Sinclarity. I also have friends who I can go to for support, whether we want to pray together or have fun and just kick it. 

I created a “win journal”

When I hit a wall, I ground myself with simple practices like taking a walk or revisiting my wins. I keep a “win journal” to remind myself of what I’ve accomplished, even if it’s as small as sending a difficult email. These moments matter. They’re proof of my progress.

I’ve also embraced the power of grace — allowing myself the space to be unfinished and to make mistakes. That’s where growth happens. It’s not about perfection; it’s about staying in the game.

Collaboration is key

For me, being a small business owner means freedom. It’s the freedom to bring ideas to life quickly, test them out, and learn what works. It’s also about collaboration. I’ve learned the importance of building partnerships and working with others who share my values. Success isn’t about going it alone; it’s about going further together.

My Tips for Fellow Small Business Owners

It’s really empowering for me to give tips to other small business owners. These are my top four. 

1. Build your table: Build the table that you might not have been invited to. You need a few good people around you. They can be peers. Don’t overthink it! 
2. Give yourself grace: Grace is the space we give ourselves to be broken, unfinished, still unfolding. Mistakes are part of the journey. Grace will bring you back to what matters most — your values.
3. Define your values: Identify your values and stick to them. Let your values guide your decisions. 
4. Prioritize mental health: Do the unconventional, radical thing of prioritizing your mental health. Put your well-being on your calendar and protect it like the last piece of cake!

Small business owners put a lot of skin in the game, a lot of heart, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Yes, our goal is to make money, but business is also personal. Don’t do it alone, and know that your values matter, and when you make mental health your bottom line, everybody wins.

Note: This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.

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