"Self-care isn't a luxury; it's essential for wellbeing."
At just 27 years old, Brianne Helfrich is the founder and CEO of Helfrich Collective as well as a bioethics PhD student.
Her journey began after graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in Physiology. Despite facing rejection from medical school and battling anxiety, she turned her struggles into positivity through create a hoodie to raise awareness for mental health– marking the beginng of Helfrich Collective.
We sat down with Brianne to learn more about her dreams of expanding Helfrich Collective.
Name: Brianne Helfrich
Company: Helfrich Collective
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
Table of Contents
Before we begin, introduce us to the “cliff-notes” version of who Brianne Helfrich is.
Brianne Helfrich: I am a 27-year-old founder and CEO of Helfrich Collective clothing brand, a bioethics PhD student and the host of a top ranking podcast “Welcome to the Collective”.
Share the journey of how you transitioned from studying physiology to creating Helfrich Collective?
Brianne Helfrich: After graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in Physiology, my mental health started to decline. I got rejected from medical school, went through a breakup and started to suffer from intense anxiety. I decided I wanted to raise awareness for mental health, so I created a hoodie where proceeds from the sales would be donated to a helpful cause. From there, the brand took off.
Mental Health is an incredibly personal and important topic. As someone who has experienced mental health troubles, how have those experiences influenced the creation of your brand?
Brianne Helfrich: My mental health struggles are the core foundation of why Helfrich Collective started. Now, running my brand, those struggles are a source of what resonates with our community. So many of us struggle with mental health, and it’s comforting to learn that we aren’t alone.
Leading a company is a challenging endeavor– full of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. How has your perspective on emotional and mental health evolved while leading Helfrich Collective?
Brianne Helfrich: It made me realize how important not only mental health, but emotional health is. While leading a company, I can experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. So, I realized how important it is to be surrounded by my support system who keep me grounded.
What actionable strategies do you use to prioritize your own mental well-being on a day-to-day-basis?
Brianne Helfrich: Taking time for myself. This can be super difficult with my hectic schedule, but I try to prioritize time to unwind at the end of the day. Some days I’ll read, some days I’ll call my mom, some days I’ll watch a show – it really depends on what I need that day.
Your brand has partnered with notable organizations such as Ronald McDonald House and the Canadian Mental Health Association. How does your brand’s involvement with these organizations make a difference in the mission and heart-centered purpose of your community?
Brianne Helfrich: Helfrich Collective’s core mission is to give back whenever we can. We love getting to partner with incredible organizations that mirror the amazing things they are doing – each organization has a different story that may resonate with our community. By advocating and donating to these organizations, it gives a voice to the community members who relate to the organization and allows them the opportunity to give back as well.
What are your dreams for the future of Helfrich Collective?
Brianne Helfrich: I’d love to see my brand grow and have a larger impact on community! It would be amazing for Helfrich Collective to become a household name and be able to give back even more!
How can our readership connect with and support you?
Brianne Helfrich:
- Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/briannehelfrich/
https://www.instagram.com/helfrichcollective/ - Buy Helfrich Collective: https://helfrichcollective.com
Brooke Young, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Brianne Helfrich for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Brianne Helfrich or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Did you enjoy this article? Check out similar stories:
Iona Holloway of Soul Breathwork Shares Strategies for Workplace Well-being
Insights from Jodi Brandstetter of Influence Network Media
Ariadne Wolf of Mermaid Consulting Shares Strategies for Empowering Employees
A Conversation with Foram Sheth of Ama La Vida
Alla Weinberg of Spoke & Wheel Dives into Workplace Mental Health Support
Disclaimer: The WellnessVoice Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
