When Things Go Wrong: Why Your Business Needs a Simple Backup Plan

When Things Go Wrong: Why Your Business Needs a Simple Backup Plan

Running a small business, especially as a solo business owner or neurodivergent entrepreneur it means wearing a lot of hats and juggling a lot of responsibilities. So when something goes wrong, it can throw everything off quickly.

Recently, everything seemed to happen at once…

A power cut left us with no electricity (and more importantly, no kettle!), and just to add to the fun, my laptop also decided to do an update and give up for a few hours! Not ideal.

BUT - here’s the part I’m grateful for: I had a backup.

I usually work off a fully charged laptop (not a strategic plan… just how I operate usually forget to unplug it 🤣), and I also have my phone and iPad ready to switch to. So even with the laptop fail and the power out, I could still keep things moving.

It made me realise how easily everything can just come to a standstill and just how important it is to have a little “Plan B” for your business, especially when you’re a one-person show and everything rests on you.

Now, I’ll be honest, my “backup” wasn’t perfect but it made sure I was able to stay on top of the essentials that day! My laptop just happened to be fully charged, and when that gave up, I switched to my phone, which was just enough to keep things moving!

And it got me thinking about something many small business owners overlook:

Because things do go wrong. Tech breaks. Wi-Fi drops. Kids get sick. We get ill. Our brains need downtime, and life doesn’t always align with our calendar.

Having a simple backup plan can be the difference between spiraling into stress… and calmly finding a way through the day.

Why Backup Plans Matter (Especially for Neurodivergent Business Owners)

For many of us, the mental load of running a business is already full. When something unexpected happens, it can feel overwhelming very quickly.

A small backup plan gives you:

✅ Less panic

✅ More clarity

✅ Something to fall back on when your brain can’t problem-solve in the moment

And it doesn’t need to be complicated or corporate. You don’t need a 10-page “Business Continuity Strategy.” You just need a realistic, human version that works for how you run your life and business.

Here's a starting point for you - save the page or send yourself the link so you can get your plan put together.

1. Your Non-Negotiables

What must happen today to keep things running? E.g., responding to a client, sending one email, posting an update.

2. What Can Wait

Give yourself permission to pause the non-urgent tasks when needed.

3. Your Backup Tools or Devices

Do you have:

• A secondary device (phone or tablet)

• Access to internet

• A power bank

• Offline access to key files or notes

4. How You’ll Communicate (if needed)

A quick “we’re having tech issues, I’ll be back with an update at 4pm” message is often enough. (Remember to update your clients with what's happening even if it's a we're still having issues, manage expectations to help you prevent complaints)

5. Your “Minimum Viable Day”

If everything goes wrong: what would a bare-minimum successful day look like?

If Something Does Go Wrong… Try This

Before spiraling, stop for a moment and reset:

✨ Pause - don’t panic

🫁 Take a breath

🧠 Ask: “What actually needs doing today, and what can wait?”

👣 Move: Go for a quick walk round the block or your garden just to get fresh air and reset

Normally, I’d say make a cup of tea… but with no electricity, that's probably not happening!

A backup plan isn’t about expecting the worst, it’s about giving your future self some support, reassurance, and a soft place to land when things don’t go to plan.

If this has made you realise you don’t have one, take 5 minutes today to jot down a mini version.

If you need help drop me a message or if you'd like me to look over yours I'd be happy to!

Future you will thank you.