'Challenging situation': Startup founders open up about juggling parenthood, entrepreneurship

Puneet Manuja and Richa Singh, co-founders of the Bengaluru-based mental health platform YourDOST, have sparked an engaging conversation on LinkedIn by sharing their experiences of balancing their professional and personal lives. The couple recently welcomed their newborn son, Rudra, and described the challenges of raising a child while managing a startup.

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In a candid post, Puneet admitted that juggling these responsibilities has been far more demanding than they had anticipated. “One of the most challenging situations for us as couple founders is balancing our newborn (Rudra) with our other baby, YourDOST. It was very easy to give an idealistic answer before we had him. Things are very different than we anticipated,” he wrote. 

Despite their complementary skills, which they feel are a strength in running a business together, the couple has faced sleepless nights, feelings of guilt, and self-doubt. “Sleepless nights turn into long workdays. The guilt of not being able to give our 100% to either role was (and is) real. Some days, we questioned if we were doing enough as parents or as leaders. But we learned (and are learning),” Puneet shared.

Their openness has resonated with many, sparking discussions on work-life balance and the unique challenges of entrepreneurial parenthood. The couple’s journey underscores the importance of continuous learning and resilience in navigating both professional and personal responsibilities.