Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1541925
18 Worcester Business Journal | December 15, 2025 | wbjournal.com Seven Hills Foundation, New England's largest health and human services organization, is seeking education professionals to answer the Call to Care for the well-being of students with special needs in our communities: • Special Ed Teachers for students with intensive special needs • Teachers/Instructors for a range of classroom settings & specialties We offer BCBS MA health/dental, FSA/HSA, 3 weeks vacation/cash-out, tuition assistance/remission, generous retirement match, and more! Scan the QR Code or apply online at sevenhills.org/careers. 81 Hope Avenue, Worcester, MA 01603 • 508.755.2340 • sevenhills.org Join Our Education Team Opportunity Awaits From crisis to comeback: How I beat cancer and saved my business BY LAUREN HOWE Guest columnist A s the clock struck midnight to enter 2024, I was filled with so much excitement for the new year. My business, empHowered PR, reached new milestones, and devel- opment was at an all-time high. What would happen in just three months would put my business – and my life – on the line. In April 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. ere were so many questions about how I would continue business as usual, what my treatment plan would be, and of course, why did this happen to me? Within two days, I was seen at Massa- chusetts General Hospital and informed I would need major surgery to start, re- sulting in being out of work for at least two months. Following this, I would attend several appointments to prepare for additional surgeries and treatments. While I wish good health and success to all, I hope my experience of quickly pivoting a business during a personal health crisis will give my fellow entre- preneurs pause to think about your own plans for the unexpected. Find your people. As an independent consultant, I thrive on personally serv- ing my clients, but this diagnosis forced me to turn my business over to others, who continued to get the work done. I looked within my network to people I know and trust, and thankfully, they were able to step in immediately. Take the time now to find the people you trust with your business and add their information to your continuity plan. Caring clients. All my clients were supportive right from the start, sending cards, meals, and well-wishes. Several of my clients, including Fidelity Bank, joined me at my bell ringing on the steps of Leominster City Hall when I was done with treatment, and Fidelity even took its Frosty Flyer ice cream truck out of storage for the event! Working with caring clients made it easier to heal and continue my fight knowing my team was in good hands, too. Accept help. While it seems easy, accepting help is really difficult, espe- cially for entrepreneurs who are used to doing it all on their own. My virtual assistant made sure bills were paid, mail was opened and responded to, insur- ance was renewed, and meetings were coordinated for my new team of four subcontractors. Put aside your pride and accept help. Prepare (financially) for the unex- pected. Like many entrepreneurs, I am the squeaky wheel responsible for business development and revenue. Being away from work for months made growth near impossible. Always have at least six months (or better yet a year) worth of cash flow available. If you run into financial difficulty, banks can pro- vide lines of credit or loans to help you until you are back on your feet. Don't give up. Although it took time to fill my pipeline once I was back to work, it wasn't without a lot of stress and uncertainty. I spent time attending networking meetings, chamber events, and in my office at Venture X Worcester. It was heartwarming when I learned people who knew about my work were sharing my name in rooms I wasn't in because they wanted to help me suc- ceed. Don't give up! It is hard work to get back at it, but the reward has been well worth it. Get your mammogram. Stop what you are doing right now! Pick up the phone and book your mammogram. It could save your life. Lauren Howe is the principal and owner of empHowered PR. Today, she is cancer free. W The Future of Rent Collection & Escrow Management ZRent and ZEscrow from Cornerstone Bank. Fast | Efficient | Convenient | Cost-Effective Scan QR code to connect with us. Member FDIC | Member DIF 774-745-8698 cornerstonebank.com