Running a small business is full-on at the best of times. When something unexpected hits — illness, family emergencies, or a financial wobble — it can feel like the whole thing might crumble. I’ve been there.
After 20+ years in the Civil Service, I launched my business as a Celebrant, Toastmaster and Public Speaking Expert. It gave me the flexibility to follow my passion and manage long-term health conditions. But when I recently needed surgery and had to take 3–4 months off, I realised how vulnerable my business really was.
The biggest gap? I hadn’t properly planned for what would happen if I had to step away — or how to keep things running behind the scenes. That experience led me to put a contingency plan in place, and I want to share what I learned with you — plus a free resource to help you futureproof your business, starting with the one thing no one else can do for you: your pitch.
Why You Need a Contingency Plan
Life will throw things at you — illness, financial shocks, family emergencies, even tech outages or natural disasters. A contingency plan doesn’t solve everything, but it gives you options and confidence when you most need it.
Here are a few areas to think about:
1. Illness or Injury
Whether it’s you, a freelancer, or a key team member, plan for what happens if someone can’t work.
- Delegate responsibilities
- Document processes
- Ensure someone trusted can step in quickly
2. Financial Trouble
Have a cushion. That might mean insurance, an emergency fund, or the flexibility to pause services without burning bridges.
- Negotiate payment terms
- Explore other income streams
- Keep a lean, clear view of your numbers
3. Family Emergencies
Sometimes you just need to drop everything.
- Communicate clearly with clients and collaborators
- Use automation tools where you can
- Designate a temporary point of contact if needed
4. Unexpected Events
Tech issues, power cuts, floods, supply chain chaos… it’s worth having basics in place.
- Back up important files
- Know your insurance coverage
- Think through temporary alternatives for your workspace or suppliers
4 Essentials to Keep Your Business Going When Life Happens
1. Make Your Message Clear and Repeatable
If you had to step away, would someone else know how to speak about your business clearly? Having a well-defined pitch makes it easier for someone to step in, for others to recommend you, or even just to confidently pause and resume your work later.
2. Document the Basics
Have your passwords, process notes, and critical contacts stored somewhere safe and accessible. It takes 30 minutes to set up and could save you weeks of stress down the line.
3. Build a Buddy System
Whether it’s a freelancer friend or someone you hire, having a person who knows your work and can jump in short-term is invaluable.
4. Know Your Backup Options
A remote setup, emergency fund, or even a simple email auto-responder with clear contact info — these little things make a big difference in how professional (and calm) you seem in a crisis.
But None of That Matters If People Don’t Know What You Do
When I first started out, I focused on making things run — but didn’t give much time to how I talked about my business. And when life got messy, that lack of clarity made it harder for others to step in or refer work.
That’s why I created a free email series to help small business owners and freelancers like you craft a clear, confident pitch that actually reflects what you do — and why it matters.
- It’s practical
- Takes less than 10 minutes a day
- Helps you build the foundation for better messaging, referrals, and long-term resilience
Get Your Free Pitch Email Series
This is the first step to building a more resilient business — and it’s completely free.
Because when things go sideways, you need to know what you stand for — and be able to say it, simply and clearly.
