By: Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer, President
Managing your business during personal crises
As entrepreneurs, we dedicate ourselves to building our businesses and capitalizing on new opportunities. Yet, no matter how well-planned our strategies may be, personal hardships have a way of disrupting even the best-laid plans.
The challenge, then, isn’t just facing these obstacles but managing a business while doing so. During these times, we must draw on our inner strength to ensure that neither our personal lives nor our businesses fall apart.
Over the last few years, I’ve worked diligently to secure certifications to qualify us for government contracts. This month, we reached that milestone (see below). I mentioned previously that I was accepted into a prestigious SBA management education program that requires a significant time commitment each week. Simultaneously, after navigating the long and complex process of securing small business loans, those efforts finally paid off. These are all pivotal milestones toward the growth and expansion of MARQUEE.
But then life throws in the unexpected. Heart disease…cancer…Cleveland Clinic…daily treatment…mandatory, immediate action.
I know I am not alone in facing these kinds of struggles. Maybe you’re dealing with the critical illness of a loved one, the death of a parent, or navigating a difficult divorce. It’s a stark reminder that life doesn’t wait and can pull us away from our work at critical moments.
Balancing these life-altering events while continuing to run a business is daunting. Yet, as leaders, we must find ways to stay resilient and flexible so that neither our personal lives nor our businesses fall apart. In these moments, adaptability, a strong support network, and trust in our teams become critical to survival and success.
Success as a business leader often hinges on our ability to navigate the unpredictable. While we might feel the need to control every detail, the reality is that not everything will go as planned—and that’s okay.
When life throws us curveballs, it’s important to take a step back and reassess. Sometimes, that means adjusting goals, shifting priorities, or simply accepting that you won’t be able to handle everything at once. It’s about knowing when to recalibrate and having the wisdom to let go of things that aren’t critical.
The strength of your leadership isn’t just defined by how well you perform under pressure but by your ability to empower those around you. As business leaders, we always wear multiple hats and face challenges that test us personally and professionally.
So when shit happens, take a deep breath and try steps like these (see sidebar). Then, you can successfully navigate even the toughest times without sacrificing your business’s success. At least that’s what I’m telling myself – wish me luck!
