Chronic Illness CEO | Build Sustainable Systems, Create Passive Income, Grow Without Hustle

The Wrong Business Model Will Drain You—Here’s How to Pick the Right One

Have you ever felt stuck in a business model that everyone else seems to love—but it's slowly draining you? In this episode, Jessica gets real about why popular income strategies often fail entrepreneurs with chronic illness. You'll learn the three most sustainable revenue models for unpredictable energy, how to align your income with your health needs, and why the best business model is the one that honors your body right now.
 
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why some business models feel like a trap when you're managing chronic illness
The top 3 sustainable revenue models for fluctuating energy
How to apply the Right Strategy, Right Time™ framework to your business model
Why “passive income” is often a myth—and how to make it truly sustainable
How to transition (or combine) models as your health and goals evolve
 
✍️ Gentle Reflection Prompt
Wondering which business model actually fits your life?Try this: Do a "Model Match Assessment. Create 3 columns—one for each model:
List how it aligns with your current energy
What support systems you'd need
How it emotionally feels to picture working in that model. Let your body guide you before your brain kicks in.
 
You don’t need the ‘best’ business model—you need the right one for you, in this season, with this body.
 
🔗 Mentioned Episodes
Episode 5: Tired of Just Surviving? How to Build a Business That Lets You Thrive
Episode 6: How to Know If You’re Making the Right Business Decision—Especially When You Have Chronic Illness
 
🛠️ Resources & Links
➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this podcast and join our cozy community.
 
📬 Stay Cozy & Connected
Want weekly encouragement in your inbox?Subscribe to the CICEO Newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, podcast insights, and business strategy—served cozy, not corporate.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

When You Feel Like Giving Up: How to Rebuild Your Business After a Setback

What happens when your body says “no” to your best-laid business plans? In this raw and reflective episode, Jessica shares the story of having to cancel her biggest event due to illness—and how it became the catalyst for building a more sustainable business. If you’ve ever felt like a setback derailed everything, this episode will help you redefine success and rebuild with your health at the center.
 
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How to navigate the grief and guilt of canceling a major business event due to chronic illness
The four key phases of rebuilding after a setback (Reality Check, Reset, Rebuild, and Resilience)
How to apply the 4Ps Framework (Prioritize, Pace, Pivot, Peace) to recover and rebuild
Why traditional business models often fail those with unpredictable energy—and what to do instead
A simple, powerful journaling exercise to clarify your next sustainable steps
 
✍️ Gentle Reflection Prompt
Rebuilding after a setback?Try this: Create a “Sustainable Rebuild Snapshot” by dividing a page into four parts:
Prioritize: List your current health non-negotiables
Pace: Define your honest energy rhythm right now
Pivot: Identify one unsustainable part of your old business model and a possible alternative
Peace: Write a new success definition that aligns with both your ambition and your health
 
Your setback isn’t the end of your story—it might be the beginning of a more sustainable, aligned chapter.
 
🔗 Mentioned Episodes
Episode 5: Tired of Just Surviving? How to Build a Business That Lets You Thrive
Episode 6: How to Know If You’re Making the Right Business Decision—Especially When You Have Chronic Illness
Episode 7: You’re Not Broken: Why Your Body Is the Blueprint for a Sustainable Business
Episode 8: AGILE for Chronic Illness: A No-Hustle Productivity Framework 
Episode 9: Business Planning with Chronic Illness: A Sustainable Approach
 
🛠️ Resources & Links
➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this podcast and join our cozy community.
 
📬 Stay Cozy & Connected
Want weekly encouragement in your inbox?Subscribe to the CICEO Newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, podcast insights, and business strategy—served cozy, not corporate.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

Business Planning with Chronic Illness: A Sustainable Approach

If you’ve ever bought a planner with big hopes—only to abandon it after a few weeks (or months) when your health shifted—this episode is for you. Jessica shares how she reimagined business planning through a gentle, garden-inspired approach that honors energy variability, not rigid timelines. It’s a beautifully sustainable alternative to traditional planning, crafted for chronic illness entrepreneurs who are tired of feeling behind.
 
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why traditional planning methods often fail entrepreneurs with chronic illness
How to apply a garden-inspired approach to business planning
The power of flexible objectives instead of rigid SMART goals
How to track your energy and wins using a two-planner system
A practical way to design monthly sprints that support your body, not fight it
 
✍️ Gentle Reflection Prompt
Ready to cultivate a new approach to business planning?Try this: Create a “Garden Dream Page” with three columns:
How I Want to Feel
What Drains Me
What Energizes Me
Just observe. No pressure to fix—just notice the patterns your body is already showing you.
 
Your planner shouldn’t be a weapon of shame—it should be a mirror of what matters most to you and a map that adjusts as your seasons shift.
 
🔗 Mentioned Episodes
Episode 5: Tired of Just Surviving? How to Build a Business That Lets You Thrive
Episode 6: How to Know If You’re Making the Right Business Decision—Especially When You Have Chronic Illness
Episode 7: You’re Not Broken: Why Your Body Is the Blueprint for a Sustainable Business
Episode 8: AGILE for Chronic Illness: A No-Hustle Productivity Framework 
 
🛠️ Resources & Links
➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this podcast and join our cozy community.
 
📬 Stay Cozy & Connected
Want weekly encouragement in your inbox?Subscribe to the CICEO Newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, podcast insights, and business strategy—served cozy, not corporate.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

AGILE for Chronic Illness: A No-Hustle Productivity Framework

Ever felt like your to-do list is a personal failure report? In this episode, Jessica shares a powerful mindset shift that transformed how she thinks about productivity. Inspired by AGILE project management and filtered through the lens of chronic illness, this episode explores how redefining “effort” can help you plan, pace, and thrive—without guilt. If you’re tired of pushing through and ready for a more sustainable way of working, this one's for you.
 
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How redefining productivity through effort (not just hours or output) can support your energy reality
Four factors to assess effort: knowledge, experience, time, and energy
How to apply AGILE’s sprint mindset to your chronic illness business
Why traditional SOPs and systems often fail us—and how to personalize your workflow
How Jessica used this method to plan and launch the CICEO podcast sustainably
 
✍️ Gentle Reflection Prompt
Jessica shares an "Effort Audit" exercise. For a few days, track your tasks using these four questions:
Do I already know how to do this?
Have I done this before?
How long will this realistically take, including recovery?
What’s the energy cost—was it draining or energizing?
Look for patterns. What might you shift next week based on this intel?
 
Remember you're not failing when you rest and recover. You're managing your energy like a strategist—and that’s a strength, not a shortcoming.
 
🔗 Mentioned Episodes
Episode 5: Tired of Just Surviving? How to Build a Business That Lets You Thrive
Episode 6: How to Know If You’re Making the Right Business Decision—Especially When You Have Chronic Illness
Episode 7: You’re Not Broken: Why Your Body Is the Blueprint for a Sustainable Business
 
🛠️ Resources & Links
➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this podcast and join our cozy community.
 
📬 Stay Cozy & Connected
Want weekly encouragement in your inbox?Subscribe to the CICEO Newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, podcast insights, and business strategy—served cozy, not corporate.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

You’re Not Broken: Why Your Body Is the Blueprint for a Sustainable Business

If you’ve ever looked at your body and thought, “Why can’t you just cooperate?”—this episode is for you. Jessica shares how she went from battling her chronic illness to building a business because of it. You’ll learn how listening to your body’s signals can help you design a business that’s sustainable, aligned, and surprisingly effective. Because maybe... you're not broken at all.
 
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why productivity frameworks often fail people with chronic illness
The game-changing shift from seeing your body as an enemy to a business partner
How Jessica redesigned her systems, schedule, and goals around her natural energy patterns
Practical ways to identify what fuels you vs. what drains you
 
✍️ Gentle Reflection Prompt
This week, Jess invites you to keep a Body Business Log by noticing when you feel most energized, what drains you, and what fuels you. This isn’t about fixing anything, yet. It’s about listening.
 
When you’re at war with your body, nobody wins. But when you build with it? That’s where thriving begins.
 
🔗 Mentioned Episodes
Episode 5: Tired of Just Surviving? How to Build a Business That Lets You Thrive
Episode 6: How to Know If You’re Making the Right Business Decision—Especially When You Have Chronic Illness
Episode 8: AGILE for Chronic Illness: A No-Hustle Productivity Framework
 
🛠️ Resources & Links
➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this podcast and join our cozy community.
 
📬 Stay Cozy & Connected
Want weekly encouragement in your inbox?Subscribe to the CICEO Newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, podcast insights, and business strategy—served cozy, not corporate.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

How to Know If You’re Making the Right Business Decision—Especially When You Have Chronic Illness

Ever felt like you're chasing every new business strategy hoping this one will finally work—only to end up more exhausted and discouraged? In this episode, Jessica introduces the Right Strategy, Right Time™ framework, a decision-making tool designed specifically for entrepreneurs with chronic illness. Learn how to choose the best strategies based on your energy, goals, and business stage—so you can stop hustling and start thriving.
 
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How to stop comparing yourself to others and start making business decisions that align with your actual energy capacity
The 3 key questions of the Right Strategy, Right Time™ framework that will help you evaluate any business decision
Why understanding your current stage on the Sustainable CEO Pathway is essential for choosing the right strategy
How this framework fits beautifully with the 4Ps Ops Plan: Prioritize, Pace, Pivot, and Peace
A real-life example of how Jess chose podcasting over courses or memberships based on her capacity—and how that changed everything
 
🧰 Frameworks or Tools Mentioned
Right Strategy, Right Time™
Sustainable CEO Pathway (Survive → Stabilize → Strengthen → Scale → Thrive)
4Ps Ops Plan: Prioritize, Pace, Pivot, Peace
 
✍️ Gentle Reflection Prompt
Ready to get strategic with your energy?This week, Jess invites you to run one business idea through the Right Strategy, Right Time™ framework by asking:
Does this align with my current capacity and energy levels?
Does this move me closer to my most important goals right now?
Is this the most effective use of my resources at this stage?
 
Be radically honest. This isn’t about killing your dreams—it’s about timing them right.
 
You don’t have to do all the things—you just need to do the right things, at the right time, for you.
 
🔗 Mentioned Episodes
Episode 5: Tired of Just Surviving? How to Build a Business That Lets You Thrive
Episode 7: You’re Not Broken: Why Your Body Is the Blueprint for a Sustainable Business
 
🛠️ Resources & Links
➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this podcast and join our cozy community.
 
📬 Stay Cozy & Connected
Want weekly encouragement in your inbox?Subscribe to the CICEO Newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, podcast insights, and business strategy—served cozy, not corporate.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

Tired of Just Surviving? How to Build a Business That Lets You Thrive!

Hey friend,
Are you constantly checking work messages during doctor’s appointments? Rearranging your entire schedule—again—to accommodate everyone else’s needs? Living in the space between one flare-up and the next, trying to prove that yes, you can still do this, you can still keep up?
If you’re nodding along, you might be stuck in survival mode. And here’s the thing—it’s not the kind of survival mode you might think.
In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about what it really means to break free from survival mode and start building a business that supports your health, not one that constantly drains it. I’ll share the exact 4P Framework that has helped me—and so many other entrepreneurs—move from crisis mode to creating a business that actually lets you thrive.
So, grab your heating pad, your cozy blanket, and maybe some tissues because today, we’re dreaming again.
Remember, small changes over time lead to sustainable success.
P.S. Ready to break free from survival mode? I've got three ways you can take action after this episode:➡️ Follow my journey on 📺 YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? 🗓 Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today. 
Next Week on the Podcast:
I’ll share a powerful decision-making framework that helps you choose which business strategies are worth your precious energy right now—and which ones can wait for a different season. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the “shoulds” in business, this one’s for you!
 
🔔 Hit subscribe so you don’t miss it. 🎧
 

5 Mindset Shifts for Business Success When You Have Chronic Illness

Hey friend,
Have you noticed that in January, suddenly everyone begins to post "New Year, New Me" transformation plans while we're over here just trying to get our energy back after the holidays?
If you're curled up under a blanket (possibly still in your pajama bottoms—PJ Squad for the win!), let's talk about how we can make this year feel different in the gentlest, most sustainable way possible.
What You'll Learn:
Why every major breakthrough in business comes from mindset shifts, not new strategies
The five game-changing mindset shifts that have given me more hope and excitement for my business than I've had in years
How I'm implementing these shifts in my own business for 2025
A simple journaling exercise to help you start adopting these mindset shifts today
The beautiful truth that changed everything for me? My success isn't something I can finally pursue when I'm "good enough," "healthy enough," or "worthy enough." It's a plan for right now—for me exactly as I am.
The Five Mindset Shifts:
"You are a masterpiece, just as you are" — Embracing the truth that you were created on purpose, for a purpose, exactly as you are
"Grant grace, embrace the pace" — Letting go of expectations and accepting that your journey will look different
"Your body is your #1 business strategy" — Prioritizing your health isn't just self-care, it's strategic business planning
"Objectives over deadlines" — Moving away from rigid SMART goals to flexible objectives that honor your body's unpredictability
"Create your own path" — Recognizing that not every framework will work for your unique needs and finding peace in creating your own way
In this episode, I share how these mindset shifts have transformed how I approach my business, including letting myself wake up naturally, scheduling calls only in afternoon hours, and designing a planner setup that finally works for me.
Ready to shift your own mindset? I share a simple journaling exercise to help you start replacing old stories with new ones that honor both your ambitions and your reality.
Remember: These mindset shifts aren't about perfection—they're about progress.
🙏 And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this community. 🙏
Connect With Me:➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

Your Worth Isn’t Measured by Your Productivity—Let’s Break the Lie

Hey friend,
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "If I could just do MORE, I'd be a better wife/friend/daughter/business owner/team player"?
Today, we're going to punch that gremlin in the face. We're going to kick it to the curb, stomp on it some more, and then YEET it into the sun. (Yes, tough love, snarky Jess is at the helm for this one!)
The simple truth is your worth, your value, is not measured or tied to your output. Your worth stands on its own.
What You'll Learn:
How the "more equals worth" mindset can shape everything (including destroying your health)
Why living with chronic illness makes productivity-based value a special kind of torture
A powerful perspective shift I discovered during my "sloth era"
How embracing your limitations can lead to MORE focused, sustainable, and impactful work
Two practical tools to help you break free from the lie that your worth is tied to productivity
When you stop trying to earn your worth through constant doing, you create space to discover how you can serve from a place of being—and that, friend, is where the magic happens.
🙏 And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this community. 🙏
Connect With Me:➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica

Your Energy Isn’t the Problem—It’s Hustle Culture That’s Failing You

Hey friend,
Have you ever found yourself wrapped in your coziest blanket, your dog nestled beside you, while that familiar voice in your head whispers, "I should get up... I should do the dishes... I should..."?
Then comes the downward spiral—guilt, shame, anger, maybe even resentment over needing rest. If you've ever caught yourself in this cycle, this episode is for you.
As entrepreneurs living with chronic illness, we're not playing the same game as everyone else. So why are we using their rulebook?
What You'll Learn:
Why "rise and grind" culture is toxic for entrepreneurs with chronic illness
How to think about energy management like a strategic game (not spoons, but energy points!)
The 4 P's framework that transformed my approach to business and life
Why sustainable progress isn't about speed—it's about maintaining forward momentum
How to ditch traditional deadlines for a more flexible approach
When you have chronic illness, some days you might start with only 30% energy, and it takes three times as long to recharge. Other days, your energy might deplete far faster than expected. We need a strategy that works with this reality, not against it.
In this episode, I share my game-changing framework (the 4 P's) and a simple observation exercise to help you start mapping your own energy patterns—the first step toward building a business that works for you, not against you.
Remember: Your story is unique to you, and there's a reason that God placed you right here, in this place, at this time, in this body, with your gifts and desire to serve.
🙏 And if this message resonates with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other entrepreneurs with chronic illness find this community. 🙏
Connect With Me:➡️ Follow my journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights. (@chronicillnessceo)➡️ Need personalized support? Book a Sustainable CEO Strategy Day and let’s design a business that works with your body, not against it.➡️ Learn more about the Sustainable Success Framework at ChronicIllnessCEO.com to start building your energy-conscious business today.
 
Wishing you a gentle day,Jessica