From Hospital Bed to EC Awards Finalist: My Business Comeback Story 🚀
28 August 2025 /
A Life-Changing January
On 7th January 2025, my world changed in an instant.
Two sudden waves of numbness hit my face and arm.
Words felt foggy.
Within hours, I was in hospital.
The diagnosis? Stroke.
But that wasn’t all.
Two sudden waves of numbness hit my face and arm.
Words felt foggy.
Within hours, I was in hospital.
The diagnosis? Stroke.
But that wasn’t all.
A Full-Body Red Flag 🚩
Doctors found life-threatening blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, an enlarged liver, and, to top it off, I was “officially too fat.”
For the first time, I truly felt fragile.
For the first time, I truly felt fragile.
I spent a week in hospital.
Fatigue wiped me out for weeks.
I couldn’t drive for six.
Lying there, I worried non-stop – about my business, my clients, my family, and my role as breadwinner.
Would I be there for my grandchildren?
Could I keep Beacon Advice going?
Fatigue wiped me out for weeks.
I couldn’t drive for six.
Lying there, I worried non-stop – about my business, my clients, my family, and my role as breadwinner.
Would I be there for my grandchildren?
Could I keep Beacon Advice going?
A Year of Big Leaps
Just a year earlier, I’d taken a huge leap.
With the help of my Entrepreneurs’ Circle membership and the Clarity programme, I left Honey Legal and backed myself.
I built the Beacon Advice brand, created new systems, took on associates, and launched referral campaigns.
But honestly, I was too deep in the weeds.
On top of business growth, I was supporting my parents with my mum’s dementia.
The pressure was real.
With the help of my Entrepreneurs’ Circle membership and the Clarity programme, I left Honey Legal and backed myself.
I built the Beacon Advice brand, created new systems, took on associates, and launched referral campaigns.
But honestly, I was too deep in the weeds.
On top of business growth, I was supporting my parents with my mum’s dementia.
The pressure was real.
Forced to Stop. Forced to Change. 🛑
Suddenly, I had to stop.
One question loomed: how do you run a business when your health hits the wall?
One question loomed: how do you run a business when your health hits the wall?
I’ve always been the engine at Beacon Advice – advising clients, steering the ship, managing the load.
I had safety nets in place. Lasting Power of Attorney’s sorted.
Systems running.
But now, I had to put every contingency plan to the test.
I had safety nets in place. Lasting Power of Attorney’s sorted.
Systems running.
But now, I had to put every contingency plan to the test.
Giving up wasn’t an option.
But doing things the same way wasn’t either.
I set myself a challenge: could I protect my income and standards while only working when I truly had the energy?
But doing things the same way wasn’t either.
I set myself a challenge: could I protect my income and standards while only working when I truly had the energy?
The Big Business Rebuild 🔧
Here’s what I changed:
- ✅ I empowered my VA Stewart to handle more – client follow-ups, admin, background work.
- ✅ I leaned into tech. Fireflies AI now records every client meeting, giving me full transcripts and saving hours.
- ✅ My online scheduler became my line in the sand. No more squeezing people in or burning out.
- ✅ I moved 75% of appointments to video. Less travel, more time, and easier estate planning for clients.
The Results Speak for Themselves 📈
- 📊 Turnover rose year on year, even with drastically reduced hours.
- 💷 Profit increased by 4.5%, despite higher costs and VA support.
- 🌟 98% of my 58 Google reviews are five-star – more than any other solicitor or estate planner in my area.
Lessons Learned (and Shared) 🧠
Slowing down forced me to look up.
I became ruthless with my energy, more intentional with my time, and even more committed to my clients.
This wasn’t a business dip – it was a business rebuild.
I found space to heal without letting go of what I’d built.
I became ruthless with my energy, more intentional with my time, and even more committed to my clients.
This wasn’t a business dip – it was a business rebuild.
I found space to heal without letting go of what I’d built.
Today, I’m proud to be an EC Awards finalist for Most Inspiring Business Person of the Year.
My five-year goals – buying a quality motorhome, spending more time in Spain, and enjoying more family time – are still on track thanks to these changes.
My five-year goals – buying a quality motorhome, spending more time in Spain, and enjoying more family time – are still on track thanks to these changes.
Growth Doesn’t Have to Mean Burnout 💡
If my story helps even one business owner realise that growth doesn’t have to mean burnout, then every step has been worth it.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported me – especially the EC community.
If you’re facing your own business challenge, don’t be afraid to rethink, rebuild, and thrive.
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