A serial entrepreneur, who had a manic depressive episode and tried to end his life last year, has started a new business aiming to help business owners become healthier, happier, and higher-performing.

Declan Kluver co-founded recruitment business platform xrecruiter which after a few years was turning over $70m a year says 20-hour days and mounting stress ultimately cost him his mental health.

While he’s still recovering from his injuries he’s now determined to help others through the launch of 80/20 Labs Pty Ltd with business partner Wa Waenga which aims to prevent burnout before it happens.

“For years I tied my identity, self-worth, and happiness to business success,” Kluver told City Beat.

“From the outside things looked great, but behind the scenes I was dealing with extreme stress, anxiety, pressure, burnout, financial uncertainty, long working hours, and the emotional toll that comes with building a business.

“Like many founders, I felt responsible for everyone else while neglecting my own wellbeing.”

Kluver says there’s a “massive mental health crisis” among business owners who are often expected to have all the answers, stay strong, and keep pushing forward, even when they’re struggling.

“Many suffer in silence because they fear judgment, losing credibility, or appearing weak. 80/20 Labs was created to change that,” he says.

Kluver teamed up with Waenga founded the ⁠Amend Movement, which supports men’s mental health, emotional education, and positive behaviour change, to create the wellness business.

The company works on a subscription platform and involves workshops, retreats, courses, coaching, peer support groups, content, podcasts, and community events.

“We spend billions supporting employee wellbeing, but the people carrying the financial responsibility for those employees are often left to navigate stress, burnout, isolation and mental health challenges alone,” Kluver says.

“That’s why we created 80/20 – to ensure business owners have a place to get support before they break.”

Sleep-out

St Vincent De Paul CEO Sleepout in Brisbane next week will attract plenty of big names and also a contingent from the travel industry.

Flight Centre global managing director Andrew Stark, Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson and Queensland Tourism Industry Council boss Natassia Wheeler will represent the travel and tourism industry at the event on Thursday, June 18 to raise vital funds for Australians experiencing homelessness.

It will be Stark’s fourth year participating. He has raised almost $70,000 over the last three years for St Vincent de Paul.

“The sleepout remains to be one of the most humbling and rewarding days of the year for me. It’s a long, cold night that leaves a lot of time for reflection, perspective, and gratitude,” he says.

“It’s not lost on me that we’re in the business of creating these incredible holidays for our customers, but there are people out there that can’t afford to put a roof over their head.

“That’s why I choose to get involved every year.”

Rowland boss Geoff Rodgers will also be there and he’ll roll out his piece if cardboard for the 16th consecutive year.

He has raised over $660,000 to help Vinnies provide crisis accommodation, food, utilities, and essential support for people doing it tough.

“Every contribution makes a difference,” Rodgers says.