How Business Owners Can Navigate Stress in an Inflation-Fuelled Economy: Abel Prasad on Mental Resilience and Financial Clarity
The global economy is changing, and not necessarily in ways that favour small businesses. Across Australia, business owners are feeling the heat as inflationary pressures push costs up and margins down. The ripple effect is immense: higher energy prices, rising wages, surging rent, interest rate hikes, and a cautious consumer base.
According to recent research from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), inflation has hit multi-decade highs, with cost-of-living and business overheads stretching even the most seasoned operators [RBA, 2024].
But beyond the balance sheet, there’s a human cost. A cost that rarely gets discussed in boardrooms or business briefings. And that’s the mental health toll on the people running these businesses.
Abel Prasad—a passionate mental health advocate and finance entrepreneur—has made it his mission to bring this issue to light. Drawing from his own journey with grief, stress, and entrepreneurship, Abel is helping shift the conversation from “survive inflation” to “thrive with clarity.”
The Hidden Crisis: How Inflation Fuels Psychological Strain
Owning a business has never been for the faint-hearted, but the last three years have brought unprecedented turbulence. Between COVID recovery and now inflationary pressure, many operators are experiencing something that borders on emotional and financial burnout.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) recently highlighted a concerning trend: mental health conditions among small business owners are rising sharply, with many reporting feelings of helplessness and chronic stress [ASBFEO Report, 2023].
Business owners often:
Go months without a day off
Put off personal health or family time to manage operations
Reinvest personal savings to keep afloat
Avoid discussing stress for fear of seeming weak
These behaviours, though often seen as signs of dedication, are also early indicators of burnout and unresolved emotional strain.
Abel Prasad: From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Abel’s journey through personal loss, including the deaths of his sister and father, has deeply influenced his advocacy. A former executive turned entrepreneur, he understands what it’s like to carry the emotional weight of leadership while navigating grief and adversity.
In Abel’s words:
“We are taught to chase success, but rarely are we taught how to process the mental cost of pursuing it. I ignored the signs—PTSD, anxiety, burnout—until it nearly broke me. Now, I make it my business to help others realise they don’t have to break to succeed.”
Today, Abel blends his financial expertise with a strong mental health message—speaking publicly, consulting SMEs, and promoting financial wellbeing through business strategy and personal resilience.
Recognising the Red Flags
Not all stress is bad—some can be motivating—but chronic, unmanaged stress has consequences. Business owners should take note if they experience:
Ongoing fatigue or insomnia
Difficulty making even small decisions
Persistent feelings of hopelessness
Increased substance reliance (alcohol, caffeine, etc.)
Conflict in personal relationships or at work
Unchecked, this stress can spiral into clinical depression or anxiety—conditions that are common but treatable with the right support and tools.
Practical Steps for Business Owners to Reduce Stress
1. Reassess Your Financial Structures
Inflation eats away at profitability, but smart funding can offer breathing space. Non-bank lending options or working with private lenders can help bridge cash flow gaps. Having clarity on incoming and outgoing cash is one of the best ways to reduce mental clutter.
Tools like Xero or MYOB provide visibility over finances. And consulting firms such as Renown Lending offer tailored financial support, particularly for SMEs looking for flexible lending.
2. Schedule Mental Health Days
This isn’t about indulgence—it’s about maintenance. A burnt-out business owner is a liability, not a leader. Block out at least one day a month where work is not allowed. Prioritise rest, nature, family, or even just sleep.
3. Outsource and Delegate
You don’t need to do everything. Outsourcing payroll, social media, or bookkeeping can relieve daily stressors. Abel often reminds his clients: “Every task you keep that someone else could do, you are stealing from your own peace.”
4. Connect with a Therapist or Coach
Platforms like MindSpot and Black Dog Institute offer resources for business owners. Speaking with a professional—even once a month—can recalibrate your thinking and offload emotional weight.
5. Lean on Your Network
Whether it’s a business mentor, a Facebook group, or your accountant, stay connected. Abel shares, “Isolation breeds anxiety. Community builds resilience.”
Groups such as Small Business Australia offer access to free advice, networking, and mental health support for entrepreneurs.
Shifting the Narrative: Business Growth ≠ Personal Sacrifice
Abel Prasad believes the biggest myth in entrepreneurship is that struggle is noble. “We wear burnout like a badge of honour. But true leadership is sustainable. It empowers others without destroying yourself.”
This shift requires a new mindset—one where we talk about stress as part of business hygiene, not a shameful secret.
And it starts by asking questions like:
Do I feel in control of my business, or does it control me?
What support systems do I have outside of work?
Have I taken a holiday in the last 12 months?
If the answers feel confronting, that’s the point. Awareness is the first step toward change.
Final Words: Your Mental Health is an Asset
Inflation will pass. Markets will change. But your mental health is your constant. As Abel Prasad often says, “If you’re building a legacy, don’t burn yourself down to leave behind ashes. Build with intention, with health, and with hope.”
Whether you're struggling silently or sailing smoothly, take stock of your mental wellbeing today. You don’t need to wait for rock bottom to start climbing up.
Helpful Resources for Australian Business Owners:
Beyond Blue Business Support
Safe Work Australia – Mental Health Resources
