From crisis to comeback: How I beat cancer and saved my business

As the clock struck midnight to enter 2024, I was filled with so much excitement for the new year. My business, empHowered PR, reached new milestones, and development was at an all-time high. What would happen in just three months would put my business – and my life – on the line. In April 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. There were so many questions about how I would continue business as usual, what my treatment plan would be, and of course, why did this happen to me? Within two days, I was seen at Massachusetts General Hospital and informed I would need major surgery to start, resulting in being out of work for at least two months. Following this, I would attend several appointments to prepare for additional surgeries and treatments. While I wish good health and success to all, I hope my experience of quickly pivoting a business during a personal health crisis will give my fellow entrepreneurs pause to think about your own plans for the unexpected. Find your people. As an independent consultant, I thrive on personally serving my clients, but this diagnosis forced me to turn my business over to others, who continued to get the work done. I looked within my network to people I know and trust, and thankfully, they were able to step in immediately. Take the time now to find the people you trust with your business and add their information to your continuity plan. Caring clients. All my clients were supportive right from the start, sending cards, meals, and well-wishes. Several of my clients, including Fidelity Bank, joined me at my bell ringing on the steps of Leominster City Hall when I was done with treatment, and Fidelity even took its Frosty Flyer ice cream truck out of storage for the event! Working with caring clients made it easier to heal and continue my fight knowing my team was in good hands, too. Accept help. While it seems easy, accepting help is really difficult, especially for entrepreneurs who are used to doing it all on their own. My virtual assistant made sure bills were paid, mail was opened and responded to, insurance was renewed, and meetings were coordinated for my new team of four subcontractors. Put aside your pride and accept help. Prepare (financially) for the unexpected. Like many entrepreneurs, I am the squeaky wheel responsible for business development and revenue. Being away from work for months made growth near impossible. Always have at least six months (or better yet a year) worth of cash flow available. If you run into financial difficulty, banks can provide lines of credit or loans to help you until you are back on your feet. Don’t give up. Although it took time to fill my pipeline once I was back to work, it wasn’t without a lot of stress and uncertainty. I spent time attending networking meetings, chamber events, and in my office at Venture X Worcester. It was heartwarming when I learned people who knew about my work were sharing my name in rooms I wasn’t in because they wanted to help me succeed. Don’t give up! It is hard work to get back at it, but the reward has been well worth it. Get your mammogram. Stop what you are doing right now! Pick up the phone and book your mammogram. It could save your life. Lauren Howe is the principal and owner of empHowered PR. Today, she is cancer free.