"I spent 4 years building a music business ... and thought I was the new Richard Branson."

Stuart Thomason left uni and jumped straight into being a social entrepreneur in the music business. The first few years were very successful, with the Sheffield based (UK) business employing a growing team and engaging with a wide range of contractors.

But cashflow pressures and, in his words, the inevitable, desperate measures of throwing good money after bad forced him to close the business.

The manic activity and personal pressures of that final year in business, trying to keep things afloat, released a psychosis that saw Stuart move into a mental facility for recovery.

After a year of reflection, personal recovery and a focus to clear all outstanding personal financial debt, Stuart emerged to begin a new a career in the Not For Profit sector, coaching and mentoring upcoming social entrepreneurs. With his lived experience and appreciation of the struggles faced by social entrepreneurs, he is now leading the way in an organisation providing valued leadership and collaborative support. He also continues to encourage organisations to understand the benefits to them from supporting the mental health of all employees.