A Chronic Entrepreneur: Alecia Hancock
Alecia is a driven consultant and public speaker based in Perth. Alecia has put together her love and skills for writing and teaching to support not-for-profits reach their goals and make a positive impact in the world we live in. After years of experiencing symptoms but getting no answers or explanations, she was finally diagnosed with Bahcet’s Disease, an auto-immune disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation throughout the body. Most recently, Alecia was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterised by widespread pain accompanied by fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. What some may have taken as a red-light in life, Alecia took as an opportunity to utilize her strengths and help others change the world for the better.
What is your diagnosis story? How old were you?
I started having symptoms when my son was a year old, but with it being an auto-immune condition I felt like I was going mad as I had different symptoms from week to week and they often seemed to be totally unrelated. It took 7 more years before I officially received a diagnosis at the age of 38. I had several doctors refer me to psychologists, saying they couldn't find anything physically wrong and thought it was depression - which psychologists told me it wasn't. Most recently in regards to my Fibromyalgia diagnosis, I had added some new symptoms to the ones I already had with my autoimmune condition that triggered a catch up with my rheumatologist. I was losing feeling and fine motor skills in my hands, I developed essential tremors, numbness and electric like pains in my arms. I had already suffered from joint pain, headaches and fatigue for many years.
As the Fibromyalgia diagnosis is so recent, have you had a chance to process it? If so, what steps have you been taking to do so?
I am starting to now, but initially it was a surprise. I have so many 'labels' now for my health issues it can be hard to know where one begins and the other ends. For me, I try to just practice acceptance of this is how my body is today and this is what I have to manage right now and not focus too much on the “why” or wherefores.
Did you go through any sort of 12-stages of grief with the diagnosis or take it in its stride?
My first reaction was relief. I had known myself that something had been wrong for a really long time and few doctors took it seriously. Having a name for it was validating because I felt like I could finally have some kind of control or way forward. I was surprised a few weeks later though when it did hit me with something like grief, I believe it was the final realisation that this wouldn't just stop on its own and that these strange medical issues would keep happening to me.
What would you say to your ‘first-diagnosed’ self, or someone else who has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness?
It's a lot to take in, but I think I'd say that you are still you and every bit as strong as you've always been. It doesn't have to become your whole identity, just another facet to your whole.
Are you on any treatments? What modalities are in your wellness team?
Yes, mostly medication based right now as they are the only things that have helped. I have a cocktail of different medications to keep me functioning, and I also get chiropractic and physiotherapy support for my joints and pain. I have also tried acupuncture, massages and natural remedies. As for Fibromyalgia, many different medications that lead to a lot of other treatments to deal with individual impacts of the conditions (like recent treatment of gums for bone damage).
What is a ‘bad day’ for you? How do you look after yourself on a ‘bad day’ or a day that is particularly stressful?
The one thing I struggle to manage through is severe headaches. They come with vertigo, blurry vision and a lot of pain. They can go on for days and for me it's the worst part as it stops my ability to think as a business owner and entrepreneur - my mind is the most important asset I have. I can handle anything else this throws at me, but that one is hard to overcome. I try to be kind to myself and accept my limitations although some times are easier than others. I also sleep and lean on my family.
How did the path of entrepreneurship come to you?
I think I’ve had an entrepreneurial mind for a long-time. I dabbled in a few hobby-businesses but then had an idea for a company. Eventually, one night my husband told me to either take the leap or stop talking about it because I couldn't talk about anything else. I booked a meeting with a business advisor the next day and went for it.
What does a typical day in business look like for you? How does your chronic illness influence what your typical day looks like? Is your day-to-day routine pretty consistent or does it change?
I don't know many business-owners who have a typical day. As well as having an illness, I'm also a mum and that means my week can look completely different from day to day. I tend to plan monthly to work out what I’d like my ideal month to look like and from there I break down everything I need to get done into smaller tasks. I try not to let my illness impact my routine too much if I can help it, but it certainly does at times. I was on a medication that meant I couldn't drive for a few weeks so had to get lifts from my team or catch the bus. I've had a team-member holding me up while going through airport security as an attack of vertigo meant I could barely stay on my feet. I’ve had to get a lot better at asking for help, but my team all know about my illness and are really great at helping and supporting me.
What have you learnt about yourself through your entrepreneurship journey? How have you changed, if at all in your relationships, decisions, what you value/your life philosophy?
I definitely think it makes you more efficient and focused because you have to focus on the important things first so you can always move your business forward even when things are hard. Also, my business is profit for purpose and helps charities, not for profits and cause-organisation so it's also my motivation to get up each day. I think if I didn't have that, I'd probably be a lot sicker as I wouldn't have the same reason to get out of bed every day. I think to be an entrepreneur with a chronic illness you have to love what you do, because if it's just about money... that isn't going to get you through the hard days. If you believe that what you do every day makes the world a better place, that is going to keep you going.
What has been your most memorable moment in business from the last 2-3 years?
I have so many! I think it is always when someone comes back to me and tells me about how I've helped them. For example, the rehabilitation center that was able to raise $2400 using a tip I shared with them during a workshop, and a domestic violence shelter who had six months worth of sleepwear donations after a single social media post. It's these moments that remind me of the butterfly effect in relation to what I have done. Teaching causes people to tell their story more effectively in a digital world, they use that knowledge to help others and make a difference for people, animals, environments, arts, culture... you name it.
Best & worst bits of being A Chronic Entrepreneur?
The best part is getting to do something you love every day and have that passion keeping you going. The hardest part for me is admitting weakness. Having to speak up at times and just being able to say 'I can't do this without help'. The days in which the pain is bad can be pretty debilitating but I am lucky that I get to do what I do while being surrounded by people who are willing to help.
Are you a 5-year planner or are you winging it?
I am a planner. In the current COVID market, I am a 3-year-planner as I think it's difficult to go much beyond that at the moment, but I always want to know where I am going and why. I then break that down into 12 month goals, then quarterly (ideally each quarter has a key word or theme) and then into operational projects of exactly what it will take to get there.
What was the experience of having to close Hancock Creative like?
Still a hard one to talk about. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I still carry some guilt around the decisions, but I know it was the right one based on the changes to the industry, the impact of COVID, where the market was going and of course, my own health.
What are you looking forward to in the next 6 months-1 year?
I think this year a lot is going to change in our market. More and more people are online and a lot of causes have realised - some for the first time - why a powerful digital presence is going to be crucial for their future. I love being a part of that journey and seeing causes embrace this space and drive real change that makes a difference in this world.
Who are your back up dancers?
My family - I have a very supportive husband who often has to step in after a particularly bad day and runs everything at home. My parents and in-laws are fantastic and help out a lot. I am also lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible team, who literally will step in at a moment's notice and will do everything they can to make things easier for me and help make our vision come to life.
Who are your ultimate dinner party guests, (dead or alive), and who would you seat on either side of you?
JK Rowling, Oprah, the Dalai Lama, Jessica Alba and Mark Zuckerberg. That covers my inspiration, motivation, business goals and opportunity to grow our impact all in one. I'd get everyone to change seats after each course so I get to everyone.
Where can people find you online?
Website: https://wwww.aleciahancock.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aleciahancock
