Joe Carufe & Luke Lanzoni on Mental Health, Entrepreneurship, and Building a Better Path
Featuring Luke Lanzoni – Therapist, Coach, and Longtime Friend
What happens when the person who leads the business needs support of their own?
In this special episode of Snack Chat, I sat down with my longtime friend and mental health expert Luke Lanzoni to explore the unseen emotional challenges of entrepreneurship — and how business owners can build a healthier, stronger future for themselves and their teams.
Luke and I go way back — over 15 years of friendship, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. After years of owning a business himself, Luke made the courageous decision to change careers, returning to his long-standing passion for mental health. Today, he’s a therapist and coach helping entrepreneurs, leaders, and individuals navigate the complex intersection of business and personal well-being.
Our conversation wasn’t about worst-case scenarios. It was about something better: learning to thrive before we reach the point of crisis.
Luke’s Story: From Business Owner to Therapist
Luke shared his journey with raw honesty.
After graduating college, he had dreams of working in mental health, but life took him down different paths — first sales and marketing, then business ownership. He loved parts of running a company, especially the connection with people. But eventually, the deeper call toward helping others with their mental health resurfaced.
During the pandemic, Luke made the leap: going back to grad school in his 30s and stepping into therapy full time.
Today, he’s thriving in private practice, working with individuals (especially entrepreneurs) who are ready to confront what’s underneath their stress, burnout, or decision fatigue.
His story is a powerful reminder:
Sometimes the biggest career moves aren’t about climbing higher — they’re about realigning with who you truly are.
The Loneliness of Entrepreneurship
We talked about how entrepreneurship often looks shiny on the outside — but behind the scenes, it can be isolating.
Business owners are expected to have it all together. To show up strong for their clients, their teams, their families. Yet underneath, many carry financial stress, fear, and exhaustion alone.
Luke pointed out how easy it is for leaders to “mask” their struggles publicly while feeling overwhelmed privately. And without an outlet — whether friends, trusted advisors, or a professional — the weight only grows heavier.
We both agreed: You can’t lead well when you’re carrying hidden wounds.
Why Proactive Mental Health Matters
One of the biggest themes we explored was the difference between proactive and reactive mental health.
As business owners, we’re used to being proactive in operations, sales, and client service.
But too often, we wait until we’re burned out before we address our emotional well-being.
Luke shared that therapy isn’t just for “fixing problems.” It’s a space for building resilience, getting clarity, and setting a healthier course before things break down.
He used a great analogy:
“You don’t wait until your roof collapses to fix it. You repair it while the sun’s still shining.”
When it comes to mental health, early investments pay off.
Waiting until you’re in crisis limits your options. Acting early opens up possibility.
Making Big Life Decisions From a Healthy Place
As someone who helps firms prepare to sell through the Karbon Practice Marketplace, I’ve seen firsthand how mental state affects business decisions.
We discussed how burnout can lead to desperation — and desperate decisions are rarely wise ones.
Luke stressed that it’s critical to slow down when facing major choices like selling a business, expanding, merging, or even closing up shop. Rushing toward relief can often create deeper regret later.
His advice was simple but powerful:
- Take time.
- Seek guidance.
- Heal what needs healing.
- Then move forward with clarity, not chaos.
Mental Health for Business Owners and Their Teams
Toward the end of our conversation, we explored a newer idea:
What if businesses offered mental health support not just for owners, but for staff too?
Luke shared how he’s partnering with small businesses to make therapy more accessible — helping owners provide a few fully or partially covered therapy sessions for their team members.
It’s a win for everyone:
- Owners retain top talent.
- Employees feel valued and supported.
- Mental health stigma is reduced in the workplace.
And often, it prevents problems long before they spiral into turnover, burnout, or disengagement.
Where to Start If You’re Overwhelmed
Luke wrapped with some real, grounded advice for anyone feeling stuck:
- Start with what you know — you don’t have to have it all figured out.
- Ask trusted friends for therapist recommendations.
- Give it time — the first session is often the hardest, but it gets easier.
- Recognize the risk is worth it — just like you took a risk to start a business, investing in yourself is a worthy step too.
Walking into therapy can feel vulnerable. But it’s not weakness.
It’s strength.
It’s leadership.
It’s vision.
And it’s the best investment you can make — for yourself, your family, and your future.
Want to connect with Luke?
Visit: lukelanzoni.com
Or find him through Sonder Behavioral Health in Knoxville, TN.
Shoutouts:
- Good Measure Financial – Helping entrepreneurs build healthy businesses through better financial visibility.
- Karbon – Building tools and a marketplace that allow firm owners to grow, sell, and lead wisely.
- Luke Lanzoni – Guiding leaders toward lighter loads and healthier futures.
carufe.com 