Running a business is never easy, and when times get tough, it’s often our “why” that keeps us going.

But what exactly is a “why”?

Simply put, it’s the driving force behind everything we do. It’s the reason we get out of bed in the morning, the reason we pour countless hours and energy into our craft, and the reason we keep going, even when the going gets tough.

For me, my why is deeply personal.

I have been diagnosed with cancer three times in my life. To put that into perspective, as I type this, I am only 39 years old.

The first time I heard those dreaded words was when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while living in Asia. I had discovered a painless lump above my collarbone, I had developed a little cough and a tightening of my throat. I had googled ‘lump on collarbone’ and pretty much everything pointed to Lymphoma. But that couldn’t be what I had…no way!! So, you can only imagine how I reacted when my fears became a reality. My world fell apart in that doctor’s office while I sat there with my husband. I honestly thought that was it for me. Everything silenced for me, I completely zoned out and I could not think of anything other than not being here anymore.

I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but after being monitored for a year, there was a recurrence, and I was told I would need further treatment. Again, being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This time I needed high dose chemotherapy and then a stem cell transplant. I thought the treatment the first time was bad enough, but this was so much worse. But after a long hospital stay and a clear PET scan, I was in remission…100% this time. It was a rough few years for me and my family, but treatment was successful, I made it and I began to live my life again.

After locking down during COVID-19 and coming out the other side, I developed an ulcer on my tongue that got worse and worse. After a few trips to the Dr and Dentist and then finally a specialist, I was again delivered those dreaded words.

In 2021 I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. To say I was shocked was an understatement. How could this be happening again?

I found this one the most challenging because this time, I needed major surgery to remove two cancerous ulcers and I knew I would never be the same again. I had to have part of my tongue removed and rebuilt with part of my forearm – yes, really!! Modern science amazes me. I had a neck dissection so they could remove and test my lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread. Luckily, they were all clear and I now have a cool scar to tell my story.

I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to speak again or eat my favourite foods or tell my husband I loved him. I felt others wouldn’t understand me properly after having this procedure and that scared the life out of me. Not even 40 years old and my quality of life was heading for a nosedive.

It took me to a very dark place mentally, and I struggled with the “why me, again” question. Hadn’t I been through enough? I was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety, put on medication and offered some well needed therapy to help me process everything I had been through. With the support of my amazing husband, my family, and friends I started to think about the future for the first time in what seemed like forever.

It was when I was finishing my treatment, at the end of gruelling radiotherapy, that I wanted to take my mind off everything and pour my energy into something. Something for me.

Starting my Virtual Assistant business

I have been an Executive Assistant at board level for many years. I have experience working in large corporations and smaller businesses. My last full time supporting role was for the CFO of Nord Anglia Education in Hong Kong where we lived for two and a half years.

I have always supported the people at the very top of a business, the decision-makers, the ones who hold all the power, and I loved the fast-moving pace of it, but it’s always occurred to me that smaller businesses and individuals should get the same high-level support as well, which is what we do at The Executive Suite. You will receive the same professionalism, attention to detail and high quality support that a corporate office would experience, all tailored to your needs.

Your why!

If you haven’t explored your why, it’s definitely worth taking the time to do so. Because when you’re clear on your why, you can communicate it to others, which in turn helps you attract the right clients and team members who align with your values and vision. This also helps you stay accountable and achieve greater success in everything you do.