When Hurricane Helene hit upstate South Carolina, I experienced a nine-day power outage that tested my resilience as a virtual entrepreneur. Running a business entirely online comes with its perks, but it also presents unique challenges when your home office is suddenly without power or Internet. These are the hard-earned lessons I learned that may help you prepare for hurricanes or other natural disasters.
1. First and foremost: Prepare your family and home
Before you focus on your business, make sure your family and home are ready for the storm. Stock up on essentials like food, water, and emergency supplies. Have a plan for how you’ll communicate and keep everyone safe during and after the storm. Family and personal safety first!
2. Stay powered up: Have multiple charging solutions
One of the first things to go in a storm is the power grid. Do you have the cords, battery chargers, and backup supplies you need to keep your devices charged? Can you charge from your car if needed? Having a variety of charging solutions, from external battery packs to solar chargers, can save you from scrambling when the lights go out. We have four external battery packs, and they were lifesavers!
3. Know how to hotspot from your phone
When the Internet is down, your phone might be your best option for getting online. Make sure you know how to set up a hotspot from your cell phone ahead of time. Test it, check data usage, and ensure you’re comfortable switching between networks. A quick check now could save you valuable time when you’re in the middle of a crisis.
4. Keep your laptop battery in top condition
I wish I had taken better care of my laptop battery before the storm. With my Mac battery on its last legs, I had to sit in my car for 30-minute stretches just to keep my business afloat. Don’t let this happen to you—keep your laptop battery in top health and consider an external battery bank as part of your emergency toolkit.
5. Consider a generator or a backup plan for power
A generator can be a game-changer during long outages. If a generator isn’t in the cards, have a solid backup plan in place. Where could you evacuate to that would allow you to work and stay safe? If you’re a virtual entrepreneur, power and Internet access are lifelines to your business—prepare now to ensure you have options when storms come.
6. You have permission to stop working
Here’s the permission slip you didn’t know you needed: It’s okay to stop working during and after a storm. Set an out-of-office message, post on social media, and notify your clients. People will understand; you’re navigating a natural disaster. Rest, recover, and prioritize your safety.
7. Don’t hesitate to postpone promotions or extend deadlines
A storm can derail even the best-laid business plans, and that’s okay. Give yourself grace by postponing promotions or extending deadlines. As much as you want to stay on schedule, flexibility during emergencies will allow you to bounce back stronger.
Hurricane Helene taught me that even in the digital age, we can’t control everything. But with preparation, flexibility, and self-compassion, you can weather any storm—and your business will, too.
