A Chronic Entrepreneur: Sam Spence
Sam Spence is the founder of Executive Virtual Associate – a business dedicated to providing support through the form of virtual assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners across Australia. She was also diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis – an inflammatory bowel disease which can cause great discomfort and pain – when she was 19 years old. For Sam, her business allows her to continue striving towards career aspirations while managing her chronic illness. With a virtual (online) business, she’s able to work from home where she has access to everything she needs and, in times when she’s unable to work, she has others to step in and support. Read Sam’s story below and follow the links at the bottom of the page to find out more.
What’s your Chronic?
Ulcerative Colitis.
Where/when were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed in 1990 when I was 19 years of age.
What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?
Independence, personal growth, career success and giving back to my community.
What came first, the chronic or the entrepreneurism?
Ulcerative Colitis.
How did this path come to you?
The diagnosis? I don’t recall specifically. The entrepreneurship? I was made redundant from my 22 year career with Westpac where my most recent role was as an Executive Assistant to the Regional General Manager. We worked from different locations, so I was essentially already providing remote support. When I stumbled upon the virtual assistant industry, I decided to start my own business and support other business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs to gain back their valuable time.
Did you go through any sort of 12-stages of grief with the diagnosis or take it in its stride? How did the process manifest itself? Did you immediately reassess your life?
Not that I recall.
Did you seek out or join organisations representing your chronic for support or did you find comfort and answers elsewhere? What would you recommend in hindsight?
I was a member of Crohns & Colitis Australia but have not continued the membership. I find the online Facebook support group helpful when my circumstances change (flare, change in medication, or time to consider surgery).
How have you changed, if at all, in your relationships, decisions and values?
My diagnosis has not changed me. I am more aware of my limits and needs to stay in remission, but I choose not to withdraw from life because I have Ulcerative Colitis.
What is your life philosophy and has this changed?
As above. Being diagnosed with a life long condition is an opportunity to take stock of my life and to not let it pass me by. My condition does not define me.
What do you wish you’d known before?
I’ve lived with this disease for so long now, I don’t recall what I wish I’d known before.
Are you on any treatments? Why/why not?
Oral medications and infusions as needed to manage my disease and symptoms.
What advice do you have for others starting out on this journey?
Ask questions. Listen to your medical team. Remember we are all different, even with the same diagnosis. Information and knowledge is the key to making the best decision for your unique circumstances.
What is a ‘bad day’ for you?
A bad day could mean severe pain, frequent toilet visits and/or nausea and vomiting.
What do you do on a ‘bad day’?
Do only as much as I can. Depending on the severity of a ‘bad day’ it could mean working only blocks of time or not at all. I deal with the priority work, and have a small team who support both me and my clients. Because I work from my home office, toilet access does not become an issue. Benefit of being an entrepreneur!
How do you deal with stress?
Time out. Massage or facial. A walk with my dog.
What do you struggle with the most?
At the moment, not much. My disease and symptoms are close to remission. I’m aiming for the reminder of my disease only because I take daily medications, not because of my symptoms.
What are you most proud of?
My children! (not really related to my diagnosis or career)
Who are your back up dancers?
My two kids, my husband, my mum and dad, my support network of friends and family, and the nurses who advocate for my health when I am struggling to do the same.
Best bits of being a Chronic Entrepreneur?
Working from home in my pyjamas or from the couch if need to on those ‘bad days’.
Worst bits of being a Chronic Entrepreneur?
Lost income when you are unable to work due to ill health (i.e. no sick leave).
Are you a 5-year planner or are you winging it?
Planner, but maybe not five years!
Dream weekend plans and have these changed?
My dream weekend would involve good company. No, it hasn’t changed, but sometimes more planning is needed.
Ultimate dinner party guests?
Sir Richard Branson, Janine Allis, Max Field (my grandfather) and Thomas Ham (my great, great, great, grandfather)
What advice would you give your younger self?
I wrote a blog post about that last year! From the perspective of good health – never take your health for granted.
What’s next?
Healthwise – keep taking my meds and regular visits to my specialist. Business-wise – we are always looking to support more entrepreneurs and small business owners to get back their valuable time. Personal – A trip to Asia or Northern Australia next year.
How can people find you?
FB @ExecutiveVirtualAssociate
IG @execva
T @execva
LI @SamSpenceVirtualAssistant
Let us know what you think below and share your story with us on Instagram tagging @achronicentrepreneur and using the hashtag #achronicentrepreneur.