In an interview, Luke Wendlandt talks about his own mental health journey, how his app is meant to help people connect with each other and mental health professionals, and some entrepreneurial tips.
For years, Luke Wendlandt struggled with the negative effects of overworking. As he juggled a corporate job and earning multiple degrees, he ended up with panic attacks, issues with anxiety and addiction.
His journey through mental health wellness led to shifts in his lifestyle — and career. Two years ago, he launched Cadre, a platform he hopes will help others dealing with similar problems.
The app has live and on-demand content for people seeking mental health counseling and tips. Experts in the videos talk about issues such as handling grief, depression and addiction.
Cadre includes a community feed — similar to Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn — where users can engage, like and share content. People can also book consultations with wellness experts.
Wendlandt’s company won the Emerging Startup and Bootstrapper awards at the 2022 Minnesota Startup Awards during Twin Cities Startup Week. For the remainder of 2023 and heading into 2024, the app is free to both individuals and employers for use as an employee benefit.
Even before that, though, he had made a shift to the health and wellness field. He left the corporate world behind to join the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a Minnesota mental health and substance abuse treatment nonprofit, which allowed him to visualize an entrepreneurial venture in the treatment industry.”
I took a leap of faith in the health and human services field to ultimately figure out more about myself and figure out who I am, what I am, why I am and really to be devoted to mission and purpose behind the work that I’m doing 40-plus hours a week,” he said.