Running a Business WhileDealing with a Personal Loss

Real entrepreneurs share their stories of loss,how they coped, and their journey of findinginspiration to move forward.

HEATHER R. HUHMANFounder of Come Recommended

"Entrepreneurs are all about looking ahead, but loss changes

a person. Suddenly, there are regrets about the past. Staying

in the present is difficult -- never mind thinking about the

future. Know that it’s OK to remember the past, whether with

happy or sad thoughts. But don’t get stuck in the past. Make

plans for the future, even if small ones."

CAROL SANKARBusiness Consultant and Corporate

Leadership Facilitator

"The first week after we buried [my grandmother] was

difficult, but I knew that I could not allow my sorrow

to stop my progress. I took the time to mourn when I

needed to, but I must admit, it was my business that

helped me recover and gain my momentum back."

IRINA JORDANFounder of ARTISURN

"My advice to other entrepreneurs who've experienced

loss is to not be afraid to express your grief openly and

fully. Find support networks that can understand what

you're feeling and share your story with them."

ANDREW ROYCE BAUERCEO of Royce Leather

"When I lost my grandmother, there was a part of me

that did not want to continue on with Royce Leather.

Then I realized six months later, I have the

responsibility to take care of other people's

livelihoods in terms of my customers, my employees,

and my factory workers."

SIMMA LIEBERMANSimma Lieberman Associates

"If at all possible, take it slow. Know that you are not

losing your mind if you forget things. This is the time to

keep a very detailed calendar of where you need to be,

what you need to do and what tools you need to do

them. If you can, cut back on your work time until you

feel ready."

ERICA MASONOwner of Ellipsis Then Dot

"When you are launching a new venture, you have

this need to talk about yourself and your business in

'invincible' terms. But people are nice, most people

have dealt with some sort of loss and are willing to

give you a break if they know you are in mourning."

DORIT SASSONOwner of a small freelance writing business

"I allowed myself to totally and fully grieve for a month,

which is customary for the Jewish religion and as part

of the grieving process...I blogged and Facebooked

about the loss of my mother, as well as connected with

other family members who gave me strength and hope

to carry on."

ARTHUR CUNDYFounder of 3eleven Creative

"On October 23, 2008, I lost my wife to Sickle Cell

Anemia. Even though it was hard for me, I didn't allow

myself to be locked up in my home crying all day. I

had to get out, stay around positive people, and keep

working."

DANA SIDBERRYOwner of Motivation Marketing

"My advice to other entrepreneurs is to communicate

often with your clients and let them know what is going

on in your situation. I think that, as entrepreneurs, we

fear that we will lose our business if we step away to

handle our lives and that is not the case because 'life

happens.'"

GILSON OLIVEIRAOwner of Resilience Marketing

"...Ask yourself, 'What it means to ______(insert

person's name) to seeing you succeed?' Remember a

moment when you saw in their eyes how much they

love you and how proud they are of who you've

become. Hold these images, and now, go out there

and honor them."

BRANDON DEMPSEYPartner at goBRANDgo!

"This was the first time in my life that I learned what

extenuating circumstances really meant. They meant

that work wasn’t number one right now and would

have to bend itself around my personal life...I learned

that life and business move on."