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Writer's pictureAmy-Lynn Denham

Why you need an emergency plan for your small business

Running a business is tough. We know that. There’s always something demanding your attention, a new challenge, or another thing on your to-do list. But what happens when life throws you an unexpected curveball? 🤷‍♀️ Emergencies don’t send you an email ahead of time. They just show up, uninvited, and suddenly your entire business is hanging in the balance.


Here’s the thing—having an emergency plan isn’t about being a pessimist. It’s about being realistic. Sometimes, things are going to happen that you can’t control. The key is knowing how to manage them without everything coming to a screeching halt.


Let's start looking at emergency planning for YOUR small business.





Emergency plans protect your small business When Life Happens (Because It Will)

We never know when an emergency is going to happen. Life is unpredictable. Maybe you get sick, or a family member needs you. Or, maybe you just get overwhelmed with too much work. (Yes, even too much work can be a problem—crazy, right?) 😅 Whatever it is, you need a plan that helps you keep a manageable balance in your business.


Take me, for example. A few years ago, I got really sick. It was bad. At the time, I thought the only way to handle it was to close up shop completely. I didn’t plan for my return or have a way to keep the business running in any capacity. I lost everything—my contacts, my content, my podcast, my website. After a year of recovery, I was ready to get back to work, but I had to start from scratch. 😫


That’s why I’m here telling you: don’t make my mistake. You can avoid losing everything if you have an emergency plan in place.





Why small Businesses Fail (Hint: It’s Not Always the Economy)

When businesses fail, people often think it’s because of bad management, poor marketing strategies, or a rough economy. Sure, sometimes that’s true, but it’s not the full story. A lot of businesses go under because they weren’t prepared for hard times. They didn’t plan for when things don’t go smoothly. 😬


The truth is, running a business isn’t just about riding the highs—it’s about managing the lows. And if you don’t have a plan for those tough moments, your business could be in serious trouble.


You can have all the positive manifestation you want.

But when unexpected things come up, if you don't have a plan, you won't thrive.


Cut Back Plan: The Middle Ground

Before we get into full-blown emergency mode, let’s talk about creating a “cut back” plan. This is for when you can sort of show up but not like your usual self. Maybe you’re sick but can still manage to check emails, or maybe you’re drowning in new orders (yay!) but need to scale back on other tasks.


Here’s how to do it:

  1. List everything you do: Creating products, providing services, answering emails, bookkeeping, blogging, posting on social media, etc.

  2. Rank each task by importance: What’s absolutely essential? What can wait?

  3. Plan to put things on hold: Decide what you’ll stop doing first when you need to cut back. Maybe social media is the first to go, followed by blogging. Whatever it is, have a clear plan in place.


With a cut back plan, you’ll know exactly what to do when you’re feeling stretched too thin. You’ll be able to maintain the core of your business without burning yourself out.


The Big One: Creating an Emergency Plan for your small business

Now let’s talk about the big one—your emergency plan. This is what you need when you can’t show up at all. Maybe you’re in the hospital, or maybe you’ve just hit a point where stepping away is your only option. Whatever the case, you need a plan that someone else can follow to keep your business from falling apart.


Here’s what to include:

  • Passwords: Make sure someone you trust has access to all your accounts (emails, social media, website, etc.).

  • Accounts receivable: Who owes you money? You don’t want to miss payments just because you’re out of commission.

  • Expenses: What bills need to be paid, and when?

  • Refunds: If you have work in progress, who needs a refund, and how do you issue it?

  • Subscriptions: Know which ones can be paused or canceled.

  • Customer communication: How will your customers or clients be informed about what’s going on?


And most importantly, you need a trusted person to handle this for you. Whether it’s an employee, a lawyer, or a family member, make sure they know what to do and how to get access to everything.


It’s also essential to define what an “emergency” means to you. Does it mean you’re physically unable to work? Or is it more about mental health? Whatever it is, communicate that clearly to the person you’re entrusting with your business.





Don’t Wait for Disaster—Plan Now

I’ll say it again: don’t make the same mistake I did. Having a plan in place before things go wrong is what will save your business in the long run. And trust me, it’s way easier to create a plan now than to try to figure it out when you’re in the middle of a crisis. 😩


Think of it like insurance. You hope you’ll never need it, but if the day comes when you do, you’ll be so glad you have it.


So, make a plan. Start with a cut back plan for those times when life gets busy, and then create an emergency plan for when things really hit the fan. Your future self—and your business—will thank you. 🙌


That's it! Be ready, stay calm, and keep your business running no matter what life throws at you.


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