63: How to Take a Sick Day (or Week) as a Business Owner
Managing a small business while feeling under the weather is no easy feat!
Learn how to adjust, pivot, and keep your business running smoothly even while taking time off. Heather shares how she was able to take the past week off while battling Covid, thanks to her small team and effective planning. The cool part…despite being sick, her business continued to generate income!
Learn the importance of having a great team, batching work ahead of time, and setting up steady passive income streams to keep your business afloat when things get tough. Keep your business going strong, no matter what comes your way!
Key Takeaways:
- (02:10) Asking others for help when sick
- (04:05) Making adjustments to your schedule
- (07:10) Being honest and taking imperfect action
- (09:40) Generating money while taking time off
- (14:00) Tips for batching work and staying ahead
Listen to Episode 47: How to Show Up Consistently in Your Business
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Navigating Illness as a Small Business Owner: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Running a small business comes with its own set of challenges and unexpected events. One week, you’re successfully managing your business and engaging with your community. The next, you’re bedridden with a pesky virus.
This is precisely what happened to me recently, and it taught me a lot about the importance of preparation, having a supportive team, and how to leverage your teacher skills to create a flexible, fulfilling business.
Here’s a look behind the scenes at how I managed my teacher biz during a tough week and some strategies you can use to navigate similar challenges.
Coping with Sudden Illness
Last week, I was hit by COVID-19. I had a high fever, couldn’t get out of bed, and was generally incapacitated.
As a small business owner, taking a whole week off isn’t usually an option. Yet, it’s essential for our health to listen to our bodies and take the necessary time to recover.
Fortunately, I had systems in place that allowed my business to keep running in my absence, and I didn’t have to panic about the impact on my income.
Building a Supportive Team
One of the key strategies that saved me during this tough time was having a small, reliable team.
Initially, I contracted help part-time for just five hours a week. Jenny, my business manager, and Alexis, my community manager, are both former teachers and moms working flexibly around their schedules. This setup allowed me to rapidly delegate responsibilities and focus on getting better.
If you’re considering starting a business, plan for growth by building your support team gradually. The initial investment will pay off, especially when life’s unexpected events occur.
Effective Communication Tools
When you’re too sick to manage your own schedule, it’s critical to have efficient communication channels.
I use Voxer, a walkie-talkie app, to stay in touch with my team and leave voice messages. This tool is particularly beneficial because it allows asynchronous communication—a blessing when you’re not up to live conversations.
Utilizing tools like Voxer ensures that urgent tasks are handled even when you can’t be actively involved.
The Power of Batching Work
Another lifesaver? Batching tasks and preparing content ahead of time.
By scheduling emails, sales campaigns, and content in advance, I was able to ensure my business activities continued seamlessly. For instance, in the week I was ill, a pre-scheduled sale generated about $2,700 in revenue without me lifting a finger.
I cannot stress enough the importance of batching tasks ahead of time. It not only saves you from last-minute stress but also grants you the flexibility to cope with unexpected situations like illness.
Leaning on Passive Income
Even though I was sick, my business still generated income through passive revenue streams such as sales from my preschool learning kits and ongoing Facebook ads.
I have worked hard to develop these passive income sources, creating a safety net that allows financial stability even during downtimes.
If you haven’t already, consider incorporating passive income elements into your business model. It’s a game-changer for long-term sustainability.
Transparency and Authenticity
Being transparent with your community about your situation helps in building trust.
I always advocate for showing up as a real person and taking imperfect action. By candidly sharing that I had COVID with my students, I found they were much more understanding about rescheduling commitments.
Authenticity resonates deeply and builds stronger relationships with your audience.
Final Thoughts: Preparation is Key
The experience of navigating my business during a bout of COVID-19 underscored the significance of preparedness. From building a supportive team to leveraging efficient communication tools and batching tasks, these strategies were crucial.
If you’re serious about starting your own teacher biz, consider these steps carefully. They can provide you with the flexibility to manage not just your business but also life’s unpredictable moments.
By incorporating these strategies into your own practice, you can create a resilient business that continues to thrive, no matter what life throws your way.