How Entrepreneurs Can Keep Sales Flowing During Chronic Illness Flare-Ups

Flare ups always seem to happen to me at the least convenient times.

Business slows.
Emotions are high.
Routines feel impossible.

But what if you could build your business to sustain these “unplanned” steps back without shame or fear attached? To choose to slow down when it’s needed without sacrificing sales.

What if slowing down could be part of your strategy, not a stressful setback?

Here’s how I keep my 6-figure business running smoothly with multiple autoimmune conditions, chronic illnesses, and neurodivergence and how you can too.

The Intentional Uncoupling

I build flex days into my schedule for a reason.

I’ve started using these days to schedule marketing in advance, send emails at a manageable rate, and set up a sales process that runs with me while honoring my boundaries and preferred way of selling.

When I’m feeling good, I can lean into doing more. And when I’m craving rest, I’ve already got the permission and space to take it, guilt-free.

The best part?

I built this foundation in the first few hours of my first week with flex time using AI, templates, and a system that works for me.

Once I felt comfortable with what was pre-scheduled, I got to choose.

Sell more. Scale back. Play. Rest. Whatever I needed and had the energy to do.

What You Need For This To Be Sustainable

A killer lead magnet

Something to work for you while you aren’t at your desk.

You can lean into an inbound or outbound method of lead generation.

All you need is something that’s (ideally) free and helps you sell what you charge for with ease.

Mine is a video series called Stand Out & Sell More.

In under 20 minutes, you’ll learn how to claim your place as the go-to expert in your market, build objectionless free and paid offers, and design a repeatable sales framework based on what’s already working.

This is pouring value into other experts and entrepreneurs.

It also gets my ideal buyers—those ready for a spike in sales—booking time on my calendar.

It works for me while I work…and when I don’t.

Pre-scheduled marketing that stands apart

For your marketing to work while you’re not, it needs to feel fresh and different. People need to react to it. It must also reinforce your unique messaging as a leader in your industry.

If you look, sound, and act like everyone else, what will leads think?

They’ll be scrolling right past your content.

Be intentional, lean into your distinctive edge, and get people talking.

Once you’ve got the engagement working in your favor, go for volume.

A repeatable sales process

Discipline is a byproduct of systems.

Don’t have a sales process you like yet, or one that works?

Let’s walk through how I created mine, which is in total alignment with my values and optimized to turn “warm leads” into raving fans. 

Ugh, we need a better name for them…warm leads sounds gross 😂

I started by writing down everything I did to close my first sale.

Then I broke that list down into the simplest set of steps I could.

After that, I thought about how those steps influenced each other, and which steps were dependent on others so I could make sure they were listed in the correct order.

Then, I wrote it down in a way I could reference and repeat which, for me, was in a flow chart format.

I used version one until it broke, then I fixed where it failed and tried again.

As I did this, I also gave the different versions I created to hundreds of my clients to test over the next 5 years or so until I got it where it is today.

Basically, you want to document what works without chasing, convincing, or using any kind of pushy sales tactics.

Map Out Your “Big Intentional Break”

Ready to map out a more sustainable version of your business, so even in a flare you can operate without sacrificing the income you need?

Here’s what to do, in what order.

1. Choose your window
   1. How long do your flares typically last? A day, a week, a month? Find the foundation you’ll need to build to cover any gaps.
2. Decide what “still working” looks like for you
   1. Will you take calls, send emails, passively sell? Get specific. There are no wrong answers, just what you have space and energy for when you’re not at 100%.
3. Build your plan with a KISS (keep it simple)
   1. Decide what can go and what’s non-negotiable. The simpler your business operates in a high season, the easier it’ll be to manage the slower times.

One Final Musing

A flare doesn’t require you to “step away and hope it doesn’t all fall apart.”

Intentional breaks help you run your business like a boss at all times.

They’re built into our calendars.
They’re backed by flexible, working systems.
They’re not hopeful, they’re designed to work for us.

Most importantly, they feel GOOD.

They’re a strategic choice that’s restorative and profitable. They give you the business you deserve. One that supports all of you, not just the go-getter.

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Got insight to add, ideas to share, or need support with your strategy? Comment or post in our Circle Community! We’re here to support you.

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P.S. You’re doing an incredible job. We see you, we celebrate you, and we walk alongside you with our chronic conditions and big ambitions! xx

Author: Justine