The one with the Jury Service: why your business needs a backup plan

The letter that made my heart drop

Walking Scruff should have been a calm, peaceful end to the day. Instead, it became a moment of sheer panic. 

On my way back inside, I grabbed the mail and saw the words Queensland Courts, and my stomach dropped.

❌ What did I do wrong?! 

❌ Did I forget to pay something?! 

❌ Am I about to be arrested?!

With shaking hands, I ripped it open. A Notice to Prospective Juror.

Oh. No.

It was right before we were supposed to go to Alaska. As a sole trader, the jury service wasn't just an inconvenience - it could potentially derail my business completely.

The thoughts hit me like a tonne of bricks: 

What if I couldn't get out of it? 

What if I had to shut down my business for weeks? 

No clients. No income. Only a courtroom and a growing pile of stress.

That's when I realised - this wasn't just about jury duty. This was about my business not being set up to survive without me.

Unexpected life events will happen. 

Jury duty, sick days, family emergencies, tech meltdowns, and unexpected power outages (this was very apparent recently when Tropical Cyclone Alfred hit the Gold Coast, and most of the world was without power) could all happen.

If your business grinds to a halt the moment you step away, it’s not a business - it’s a ticking time bomb.

What happens when you can’t work (like being called for Jury Service)?

For years, I operated my business like most solopreneurs do - I was the business. If I didn’t show up, nothing got done.

There were no systems or automation, only me, running everything manually and hoping that life wouldn’t throw a curveball.

Spoiler: Life will throw curveballs, and when it does, the last thing you want is to scramble to keep everything afloat.

Imagine this: You wake up with the flu and can barely lift your head, but you have five client calls scheduled. 

Or you might receive a last-minute invitation to an incredible opportunity, but you can’t turn it down because your entire business depends on your daily attendance. 

Sound familiar?

Let’s talk about the real problem.

Would your business survive without you if you got called for jury duty (or got sick or needed an emergency break)? 

If the answer is “not really,” it’s time to make some changes.

How to create a business that doesn’t rely on you 24/7

Automate the basics

Set up systems that keep your business moving - even when you’re not there. Think automated email responses, scheduled content, and payment processing that runs on autopilot. You're on the right track if people can buy from you while you sleep.

Create a ‘what if’ plan

What happens if you can’t work for a week? A month? Write down the essential tasks that need to happen, and make sure there’s a plan to handle them. If you have a team, even a small one, delegate and document everything so someone else can step in when needed.

Batch and schedule content

Evergreen content is your best friend. Your blog, emails, and social media posts can all be pre-scheduled, so your audience never knows you’re out of the office. Set aside a day each month to create and schedule ahead - it’ll save you stress in the long run.

Train someone to step in

Even if you don’t have a team, having a VA or a trusted contact who knows the basics of your business can be a lifesaver. If you suddenly need time away, they can keep things running smoothly without everything grinding to a halt.

Offer passive income streams

If all your income comes from one-on-one services, you’re constantly tied to your work. Digital products, memberships, or self-paced courses allow money to keep flowing - even if you’re on jury duty (or sipping cocktails in Alaska).

Stop making yourself the bottleneck

Let’s be honest - you probably do too much if your business can’t function without you. Start identifying where you’re the bottleneck and where you can streamline. 

Do you really need to be approving every invoice? 

Do you have to be the one answering every email? 

Probably not.

The jury duty plot twist

Remember that jury duty letter? The one that made my heart drop when I opened it?

Well, good news… I’M EXCUSED.

There will be no courtroom sitting, no disruptions to my schedule, and no awkward “Can I bring my laptop and work?” moments.

Instead? I get to keep doing what I love - helping YOU create MAGIC. 

But this whole experience made me realise something huge.

I shouldn't have had to panic in the first place.

Because a business built for longevity shouldn’t crumble the moment you’re pulled away unexpectedly. 

If yours would crumble? 

That’s your sign that something needs to change.

The business owner’s reality check

I got lucky. Because I’m a sole trader, my ABN allowed me to apply for a financial hardship exemption, and I just managed to get out of it. But that letter was a massive wake-up call.

Your business should support you, not the other way around. If it falls apart when you step away, it’s time to rethink its setup.

Whether it’s a jury duty summons, an unexpected illness, or simply the need for a proper break, you deserve a business that doesn’t demand every second of your time.

What would happen if you had to step away from your business for two weeks starting tomorrow? If your answer makes you break out in a cold sweat, it’s time to make some changes.

What's next?

If this post resonates with you, you’ll love VA Magic Mirror, my 52-week system for building a business that fits your energy and life.

Let’s be honest: Jury duty, sick days, or unexpected life stuff will happen. The question is: Will your business survive it?

👉 Join VA Magic Mirror for $44 and start creating a business that works without you being glued to it 24/7.

This week, take one step toward building a business that doesn’t rely entirely on you. What’s one system, automation, or process you can put in place today? Drop a comment, and let’s talk about it.